Native American Flutist, James J. Pellerite, will not appear as previously scheduled, on October 1 and 2, due to personal reasons. Grand Rapids Symphony Principal Flute Christopher Kantner will perform in place of Pellerite.
Kantner will play the flute for Aurora Borealis (rather than Native American Flute) using a part written for that instrument by the composer, William Hill. Hill wrote the flute part at the time the concerto was originally created. The composer knew finding a substitute for Pellerite (for whom the work was written) would be difficult, given that Pellerite invented new techniques for the Native American flute allowing him to play the chromaticism required for Aurora Borealis.
ABOUT THE ARTIST: Christopher Kantner joined the Grand Rapids Symphony as Principal Flutist in 1976. His career spans a period of tremendous growth for the Grand Rapids Symphony, from its first step towards becoming a full-time orchestra with the inception of a full-time core of players, to the orchestra’s historic debut in Carnegie Hall. In addition to his frequent solo appearances with the Symphony, Mr. Kantner is well known to Michigan audiences through his long association with the Fontana Ensemble, his appearances at the Saugatuck and Manitou Festival, and as a member of ensemble Montage.
A Naumburg finalist, Mr. Kantner has been a fellow of the Aspen and Bach Aria Festivals. He has appeared with the Bach Aria Group in a cycle of the complete Brandenburg Concertos, as Principal Flutist and soloist with the Colorado Music Festival, and as soloist with the Lansing and Ann Arbor Symphonies.
Mr. Kantner studied at the Peabody Conservatory, the University of Michigan, and S.U.N.Y. Stonybrook. His teachers were Bonnie Lake, Keith Bryan, Clement Borone, Samuel Baron, Albert Tipton and, more recently, Jacques Zoon. He has held appointments on the faculties of Interlochen, Grand Valley State University and Michigan State University.
As Principal Flute, Mr. Kantner occupies the Wolverwine World Wide Foundation Chair.