Young flutist hits the high notes with AMIS concert in Singapore
Print Edition
Fiona Huang is from Taiwan and is in her eighth year at Shanghai Community International School. The SCIS-Pudong and larger Shanghai community has been aware of her flute virtuosity for years, as she has continually performed both in school productions and around town at various Shanghai events.
Recently, however, Huang earned the opportunity to play with the best high school students in the entire world at a special AMIS (Association for Music in International Schools) International Honor Orchestra Festival in Singapore. Fiona auditioned against over 200 flute players from around the world, earning one of the nine flute positions, and even earning a solo in one of the pieces of music. She is currently in the middle of her final IB exams, but luckily, she spared a few moments to sit down with me and answer some questions …
Q: So … the flute! How did you choose that instrument?
A: It was a pretty easy decision. When I started band in sixth grade, we tried the mouthpieces of all the instruments. The flute mouthpiece was the only one that I could make a sound out of, so I guess in some sense, it chose me.
Q: I remember when I was back in university, we used to compliment the music majors by calling them “music athletes” because of how much they practiced and trained. How often do you practice your craft?
A: It depends. When I am not preparing for music exams or competitions, I play whenever and however I want. When time is tight, I can practice over eight hours a day. Just like students who try to learn everything the night before exams, the bitterness of procrastination applies no matter who you are and what you do.
Q: What would you say has been your biggest accomplishment in flute?
A: Performing for charity has been my biggest accomplishment. Paying back to the community has always been an important part of my life, and to help others through music is always the best. These concerts remind me that music is a significant aspect of our society: It has infinite influence, and through music, we can change the world.
Q: Tell us about the AMIS International Honor Band and Orchestra in Singapore.
A: Geez, I can’t even describe in words. I don’t think I have ever enjoyed playing in an ensemble as much as I did playing in the AMIS honor band, and I have been playing in ensembles since first grade. You are constantly surrounded by people who share the same passion and same amount of passion with you, and you are doing something you love for the entire day. You can feel the vibration of the drums and percussion, the warmth of the woodwinds, the power of the brass instruments and the salience of silence … and the best thing is, you know you are a part of it.
Q: So on the traditional scale of 1 to 10, how cool was it?
A: 20! Doubtless!
10 for the actual experience of practicing and performing on stage, and the extra 10 for meeting all the talented people and doing some sightseeing in the amazing city.
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