The sounds of floating and flittery melodies performed by internationally renowned flutist Joel Tse graced Coulter Recital Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
Tse is a flute instructor at the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University in Ohio, as well as the principal flute of the Toledo Symphony. His visit to the campus was organized by WCU flute instructor, Dr. Eldred Spell.
“I’m always on the lookout for people I think our students will benefit from,” explained Dr. Eldred Spell. “[Tse] plays well and stylistically, and he’s just a nice person.”
About 70 audience members were in attendance when Tse delivered his five-piece set, accompanied by WCU faculty pianist Dr. Lillian Buss Pearson.
Joel Tse performs flute at Coulter Recital Hall accompanied by WCU pianist Lillian Buss Pearson. Photo by Yustin Riopko.
While Tse was familiar with some of the songs he performed, he admitted that it was his first time playing one of the pieces, a three-movement piece by Felix Mendelssohn transcribed for flute. He also added that he hadn’t played another of the pieces since 1989. Regarding all of the music he played, Tse said he loves it, and his enthusiasm and expertise made the show just as interesting for those in attendance.
Between the set and the venue, Tse was very enthusiastic about his performance.
“This is a great hall,” he said. “I love playing here!”
Dr. Spell estimated that the music department tries to bring in at least one professional flutist from outside the school a year to perform recitals, and he was excited to announce another guest artist for this semester.
On March 13, William Bennett will be at WCU to meet with students and perform in Coulter. Meeting Bennett, who has been principal flute in many orchestras including the London Symphony and English Chamber Orchestra, and who was awarded the National Flute Association’s “Lifetime Achievement Award,” among countless other accolades, will be an awesome opportunity for the music students at Western, according to Dr. Spell.
Music major Andrew Tucker found Tse’s recital both impressive and entertaining.
“[Tse] is an inspiration, especially for people like me, because that’s what I want to do as a performance major.”
Tse’s warm presence and skillful performance were enough to wow any student who attended though, even those not studying music.
For a calendar showing upcoming recitals and music performances, you can check here.
