The Greater Des Moines Flute Choir
Erika Leake McKnight, Director
Welcome to the Greater Des Moines Flute Choir, where
COMMUNITY
CREATIVITY
JOY
of music come together!
We're a dynamic adult ensemble made up of passionate flutists who love sharing our music with the community and performing exciting, challenging repertoire.
Who We Are
Founded in September 2021, the Greater Des Moines Flute Choir features a full range of flutes, including C flute, piccolo, alto, and bass flutes. Our members come from a variety of musical backgrounds, many with collegiate or professional experience. What unites us is a shared love of music and a commitment to creating meaningful musical experiences.
Where You've Seen Us Perform
We perform regularly at a wide range of events and venues across the Des Moines area, including:
Westminster Presbyterian Church’s Fine Arts Series
-Christkindlmarket Des Moines
-The Iowa Flute Festival
-Wesley on Grand and other senior living communities
-Church services and community gatherings
-The Lyceum at Grand View University
Our Repertoire
Our concerts feature a diverse mix of music, from classical and contemporary works to popular favorites. One of our talented members serves as our in-house arranger/composer and has already arranged pieces like Dvořák’s New World Symphony especially for our ensemble, with more exciting works in progress.
Chamber Ensembles
In addition to the full choir, members are encouraged to form smaller ensembles. Two flute quartets have already been established and frequently perform at:
-Weddings and memorial services
-Local art shows and farmer’s markets
-Summer festivals
-Special events like the Mother’s Day Tea at Terrace Hill
Join Us!
We welcome new members year-round (except right before a performance cycle). If you're an experienced adult flutist with a love for ensemble playing, we'd love to meet you!
Let’s Connect!
Membership Details
-Open to adult flutists with several years of experience
-Audition may be required
-Annual dues: $150 (or split into two $75 payments in September and January)
-Financial assistance available, just reach out to Erika
What Your Dues Support
In addition to the full choir, members are encouraged to form smaller ensembles. Two flute quartets have already been established and frequently perform at:
-Sheet music purchases
-Acquisition and maintenance of alto and bass flutes
-Instrument insurance
-Rehearsal space and other essentials
Rehearsals
-Start: Early September (Saturday after Labor Day)
-When: Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
-Where: Faith Lutheran Church
(10395 University Ave., Clive, IA 50325)
-What to Bring: Your flute(s), a music stand, and a pencil
*Attendance and commitment are expected to ensure the best musical experience for all.
We'd love to hear from you!
Please contact Erika with any questions.
We look forward to making music with you!
I love everything about our Flute Choir - the people, the music selections, rehearsing, and performing. All the flutists are amazingly talented and it’s been so much fun getting to know everyone. We work well together and I like how Erika encourages all of us to give input during our rehearsals. It’s rewarding to see our hard work come to life as we are on a stage performing! I enjoy the different performance venues and talking with audience as most have never heard or seen a choir of our variety and magnitude. I have learned so much and feel fortunate to be a part of this group as it has made my retirement years more fun than I ever imagined!
— Linda Oleson
Elevate Your Event with Live Flute Music!
Looking for elegant, engaging, and memorable live music?
The Greater Des Moines Flute Choir brings a rich and unique sound to
- Festivals
- Weddings
- Art shows
- Memorials
- Community events
- and MORE!
Our adult ensemble features C flutes, piccolos, alto, and bass flutes, creating lush harmonies and dynamic performances with a wide repertoire ranging from classical favorites to contemporary gems.
- Available as a full choir or smaller chamber groups
- Professional, audience-friendly performances
- Ideal for both formal and relaxed settings
I booked the Greater Des Moines Adult Flute Choir to play in both our worship service and Music Series in Des Moines. Not only was the group very easy to work with in anticipation of the events, but the performances were a delight. The group’s ability to blend with one another, achieve great intonation, and play with captivating musicality left our audiences with a joy-filled experience. This group is a great addition to any worship experience, music series or any other event featuring live music. I will be booking them again!
— Aaron Schultz (Director of Music and Arts, Westminster Presbyterian Church)
They did an excellent job of presenting different styles of music and demonstrating each different type of flute from piccolo, and regular C flute to alto and bass flutes. A highlight of their concert was the question and answer time when one man asked what kinds of jobs or careers these talented musicians had. There were both professional musicians and music educators, as well as others that called out jobs in other areas like school teacher, stay-at-home mom, veterinarian, paralegal, and a bank examiner. They all come together to enjoy playing as a group. On the day of the concert I was pleased to see that so many of my friends I had invited personally had come to enjoy the music and a “full house” auditorium.
– Carolyn Aspling
Private flute lessons in the Des Moines Metro area (Altoona, Pleasant Hill, Norwalk, West Des Moines, Clive, Urbandale, Waukee, Johnston, Ankeny, Windsor Heights, Beaverdale) including Marshalltown, Bondurant, Farrar, Dallas Center, Grimes, Adel, and De Soto.
