Ginger Melby – Alto flute, C flute

I grew up in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania and came to DC to attend college at Georgetown University. Other than a 2-year period, I have lived in the DC area ever since and have resided in McLean, VA for almost 28 years. I retired in 2024 after working in software development for almost 34 years. I was last employed by the National Rural Electric Cooperation Association (NRECA) in Arlington, VA where I worked for over 18 years and held several roles including business analyst, project/program manager and software development director. I also currently

volunteer for the Shepherd's Center of McLean-Arlington-Falls Church as a driver and Client Coordinator, serve as a Trustee of the McLean Community Foundation, and volunteer at Wolf Trap.

My mother was an elementary school music teacher with piano as her primary instrument. She taught band, chorus and general music, so music was important in our house and learning an instrument was a given. Early attempts by my mom to teach me piano did not go well and often ended with one or both of us in tears. Eventually I officially started piano with another teacher and played off and on throughout high school. In 4th grade, I started playing the flute and participated in group lessons and band. Denis Joyce was my first flute teacher and band director.

He was a wonderful teacher and his energy, enthusiasm, and love of music was contagious. I continued to play in school band throughout high school and participated in marching band and pep band. I attended District and Regional Band and Orchestra and State Band. My high school did not actually have an orchestra, but we were still able to go to the festivals because we had 2 students that played violin. I also started taking private flute lessons my sophomore year of high

school and continued those through graduation. I transferred to Georgetown my sophomore year of college, but did not join the band until my junior year. This was in the mid-eighties when the Georgetown men’s basketball team was at the top of the NCAA. Pep band was the draw and in order to play in the pep band, you had to be in

the concert band and attendance at rehearsals counted in determining who got to travel with the pep band for post season play. Our concert band was not great, but we believed our pep band was the best in the Big East! I don’t think I advanced much as a musician during college, but my closest friends were those I met in band and I love the Hoyas. After I moved back to the DC area, I was looking for opportunities to play. I eventually started playing in the pit for several community theater productions which I really enjoyed, but it was not steady. Then in 2000, I came across an announcement looking for adult amateur flutists to join The Woodbridge Flute Choir with no audition. I reached out, attended my first rehearsal and have

been here ever since. I always say that the choir was exactly what I was looking for even though I didn’t know it. I have sat next to very talented musicians over the years and learned so much from listening to them and our directors.

There have been many memorable concerts and moments over the last 26 years, but 2 of my  favorites both happened in December 2001. First, we played on the Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center. During the piece “Silver Winds in the Night” (which has become a Christmas staple for WFC) I looked up at the packed hallway and just got goosebumps – the beautiful music, venue, and experience was awe inspiring. We then also played at the White House C hristmas Open House, though that year it was limited to first responders that were at 9/11. I was honored to have contributed to that performance. In addition to the music, it is the people that make this flute choir special. There are at least 9 people in the choir that have been here longer than I have. I think that speaks to the dedication, commitment and love that the members have for the music and the group. It has also been a very

supportive environment – both musically and personally. I truly hope that this flute choir will be around for at least another 30 years, with new directors and players that will continue to help the group grow and flourish.