Join the British Flute Society
Join the British Flute Society
Supporting the flute community in Britain and beyond
About
The BFS are Europe’s oldest flute organisation and a charity dedicated to celebrating and advancing the flute and flute-playing in Britain and beyond. From their acclaimed journal ‘Pan’ and their annual Competitions for young players to events, festivals and resources, they support BFS members and the wider flute world however they can.
Become A Member
Whether you’re a flute player, teacher, student, retailer or simply a flute enthusiast, joining the BFS is a way to support our charitable work and benefit from our resources, events, member perks and community. Membership starts at just £25.
Pan Journal
Published three times a year, their acclaimed journal is an entertaining and authoritative guide to all aspects of the flute and flute playing.
Events
The BFS organise and co-host events around the UK, from concerts to flute days and workshops. They also curate extensive listings of flute events.
Competitions
Their annual competitions are a chance for young flautists to perform in front of leading players, with individual feedback and top prizes.
Community & Support
Their UK and global network of Area Representatives provide help and support, as well as opportunities for members to socialise and play.
Information & Resources
BFS create and curate information and resources for flute players, from their 50-strong technique video series to online articles and directories.
Festivals & Conventions
They hold conventions and festivals, bringing international talent to play and teach – plus concert series including the Premier Flautist recital series.
The History of the British Flute Society
The Birth of the BFS, by Founder Trevor Wye
‘The idea of a BFS was born in June 1969 but took longer to start due largely to a lack of interest among many of my orchestral colleagues. During the 1970’s, the idea was tossed around from time to time but on meeting Don Close, one of the managers of Boosey and Hawkes, he encouraged me to arrange a meeting at the B&H factory hall in Edgware.
I wrote to about 150 players, teachers and enthusiasts around the UK, inviting them to the first meeting on 22nd May 1982 to discuss the formation of a society. As a result of that meeting, a Steering Committee was formed and the first Committee meeting was held on June 5th, 1982. It was agreed that the society would officially begin on the 1st January 1983.
Christopher Hyde-Smith (BFS First Chairman)
Christopher Hyde-Smith was voted our first Chairman, who encouraged a spirit of openness and friendliness amongst a Committee with widely differing views, a remarkable achievement. John Francis, at whose house the meetings were held, was the Secretary and he later married the first Editor of Pan, Lorna Lewis. James Galway accepted the Committee’s invitation to become our first President and both he and a number of famous soloists generously gave their services at a series of London Flute days held at the Guildhall School of Music and at the Royal College of Music. A number of contributions were also received by British publishers and instrument companies, which soon put us in a healthy financial position. Christopher was succeeded by Edward Blakeman, who carried on the good work, as have Susan Milan and Douglas Townsend, Kenneth Bell, Atarah Ben-Tovim and Wissam Boustany.
The first meeting at B&H was chaired by me, until a Steering Committee was voted for. Nominations and volunteers were asked for at that meeting and voted in. As Founder, I preferred to step aside at this point, but agreed to be on the steering committee.
BFS-First Post-War European Flute Society
The BFS was the first post-war European flute society and has resulted in similar societies being formed in Germany, France, Italy, Finland, Holland, Switzerland, Belgium, Poland and Hungary. Our first offshoot was born on January 1st 1989, Flutewise, which was originally the junior section of the BFS, but now a flourishing and independently run organisation.’