About Us!
Our Story
The Woodbridge Flute Choir, directed by Debbie Gilbert and assisted by Lisa Sheldone, is a 30‑member ensemble performing on the full family of flutes, including piccolo, alto flute, bass flute, and contrabass flute. Founded in 1996 by professional flutist Rebecca Jeffreys, the choir began as an outlet and learning experience for dedicated adult flutists. Over time, it has grown into one of the most active and artistically ambitious flute choirs in the Mid‑Atlantic region.
About Our Flutes!
A flute is a musical instrument that is shaped like a thin pipe and is played by blowing across a hole near one end of the pipe. The flute is one of the oldest man-made musical instruments. In 1998, archaeologists in Slovenia found a two holed flute made of bone and estimate its age at 50,000 years old. Our modern flutes are now made of silver, gold, platinum, wood and even plastic and have lots of keys. Out of the full range of concert band instruments, the Flute and the Tuba take the most air to play!
Piccolo
The piccolo is half the size of the concert flute and is pitched one octave higher. The sound of this little instrument can soar above a 75 piece concert band. You are probably most familiar with the sound of the piccolo from Sousa’s famous march, "The Stars and Stripes Forever."
C Flute
Alto Flute
The concert or C flute is the instrument that most students will start with in band. It is pitched in C and its range is over three octaves, starting from middle C.
Alto Flute
Contra Bass Flute
Alto Flute
The alto flute has a wider and longer tube than the standard C flute so it sounds lower. It is pitched in the key of G. The lowest note of its range is the G below middle C.. The alto flute sound is described as mellow and the alto flute is now a standard in jazz.
Bass Flute
Contra Bass Flute
Contra Bass Flute
The bass flute evolved during the 1930’s and 40’s with the rise in Hollywood music. It is pitched one octave lower than the concert flute. The tube is twice as long as the concert flute so it has a curve in the tube to bring the tone hole closer to the player.
Contra Bass Flute
Contra Bass Flute
Contra Bass Flute
The contrabass flute is a newer addition to the flute family. It is pitched two octaves lower than the concert flute. Its tube is so long that the flute has two curves and the flutist plays the instrument while standing.