{"id":1436,"date":"2021-12-01T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-01T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.nysmusic.com\/2021\/2021\/12\/01\/the-sound-of-life-in-the-air-classical-flutist-melanie-chirignan-speaks-of-the-vibrancy-and-variation-hidden-in-the-classical-world\/"},"modified":"2021-12-01T15:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-12-01T15:00:00","slug":"the-sound-of-life-in-the-air-classical-flutist-melanie-chirignan-speaks-of-the-vibrancy-and-variation-hidden-in-the-classical-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.nysmusic.com\/2021\/2021\/12\/01\/the-sound-of-life-in-the-air-classical-flutist-melanie-chirignan-speaks-of-the-vibrancy-and-variation-hidden-in-the-classical-world\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sound of Life in the Air – Classical Flutist Melanie Chirignan Speaks of the Vibrancy and Variation Hidden in the Classical World"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Originally from Hauppauge<\/a>, Melanie Chirignan is a flautist known for her musicality and versatility of repertoire. Her eclectic tastes have led Melanie to collaborate with many different performers and ensembles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Melanie<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Melanie earned her Bachelor\u2019s in Music Performance and Music Education graduating magna cum laude from SUNY Fredonia and her Master\u2019s degree in Flute Performance at the Hartt School. She has taught general music, chorus, and orchestra, and has taught every level from elementary school to conservatory level students. Melanie has taught workshops on the “Origins of South American Folk Music” through Hartford Performs, with Alturas Duo. An adjunct faculty at the College of Saint Rose, she is also a member of Quintocracy<\/a>, who are artists in residence at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview by Liam Sweeney, for RadioRadioX\/The Xperience Monthly<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

RRX<\/strong>: Many people take classical instrument lessons when they grow up, few pursue it, and you have. And not only have you beat the odds, you\u2019re pretty much one of the people boosting the odds for others. How do you think you were able to beat the odds and wind up with a classical career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MC<\/strong>: Wow, thank you for the huge compliment. Well, everyone that sticks with music at all has some talent, so that\u2019s not it. I treat it like a job because it is, and I persevered and practiced a lot for many, many years. Also, I really love chamber music. Concerts are the highlight of the month, so I make sure to keep scheduling things. When I find a piece I want to play, I find the players, and create an event. I keep finding pieces I must play, and so it goes on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Melanie<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

RRX<\/strong>: You are a flautist, which for the uninitiated, means you play the flute. You also play piccolo and alto flute. I think many people, including our readers, might be hard-pressed to tell the difference between these based on sound alone. How would you describe the differences in these three instruments?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MC<\/strong>: The piccolo is smaller and requires much more precision than the flute. It\u2019s like it has a smaller bullseye, and the tiniest lip movement or change in air speed will be heard. It is an octave higher and can really sing out over an entire orchestra. It\u2019s small but mighty. The alto flute is much bigger than the flute. It has a more hollow, mellow sound than the flute. Many people like the alto flute best because they find the more diffuse tone pleasant. I like the flute best because of the bigger dynamic range (it can play louder and softer than alto flute) and I like its richness, how it has more harmonics in the sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RRX<\/strong>: You\u2019ve played in so many places, including, but certainly not limited to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Albany Pro Musica, Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, and Proctors. If all the places you\u2019ve played were in a lifeboat, it would sink. Describe one that has a special meaning to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MC<\/strong>: The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall is so acoustically perfect; it is literally awe-inspiring. The sensation is that the hall supports your sound and helps you play your best. This is why the hall has such an internationally known reputation. For me, I\u2019m so thrilled to have a residency there with my wind quintet Quintocracy, and Jon Elbaum and the staff are so great to work with-those things help make it stand out as outstanding to me too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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