History

Early History

The roots of the current forty-year-old Central Ohio Flute Association come from the original Columbus Flute Club of the 1920’s. The Columbus Flute Club was first announced in The Flutist magazine in the 1920s as the twenty-third flute club to be listed in this magazine’s roster. According to designated secretary, Evalyn Gares Parker of Columbus, Ohio, “so far our membership is small but mighty, and I feel that the eight who have responded so wonderfully and who have shown so much enthusiasm at the inception, can be depended upon the future.”

In that March 1926 issue of The Flutist, it was announced that the Columbus Flute Club had begun a competition for students in Franklin County. Three prizes were to be given: 1st, a silver cup; 2nd, a year’s subscription to The Flutist; and 3rd, a book of flute solos. The competition was held on April 5, 1926. Charlene Martin of Columbus won first prize. She performed a “Canzonetta” by De Lorenzo. Mabel Dildine of Groveport who played “The Artist’s Dream” by Cox won second prize, and Ella Boyer of Worthington who performed “Eventide” by Cox won third prize. Ella Boyer was also awarded a special prize of a subscription to “The Flutist” “as the contestant of marked talent whose instruction has been pursued under difficulties.” A young lady of sixteen, Ella Boyer was a resident of the Methodist Orphans Home.

Also in the March 1926 issue is an editorial praising the efforts of the Columbus Flute Club in establishing the competition. It was in this editorial that the offer to give a special subscription to the magazine “as a prize to that [student] of marked talent whose instruction has been pursued under difficulties.” They also offered this prize to other flute clubs in order to encourage them “to emulate the example of the Columbus Flute Club.”

Friday, May 13, 1927 was the date of the next competition. Flutists from elementary through high school age from Central Ohio were eligible for an admission fee of fifty cents. Contestants performed one prepared piece and sight-read a piece. Contestants were judged by Ary Van Leeuwen, solo flutist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. First prize was awarded to Miss Chalet Cellars, of Delaware who performed “Sarabande” from Kronke’s “Suite”. Ella Boyer was awarded second prize performing “Chase of the Butterfly” by Fontbonne. William Pfeiffer of Cincinnati took third prize for performing “Chanson d’Amour” by Doppler. The special prize was awarded to Miss Edna Bell Carey of Kileville who performed “Papillon” by Kohler. Three students from Columbus, Miss Charlene Martin, Charles Hackett, and Miss Janet McConagha were awarded honorable mention ribbons. The sight-reading test was a Kohler etude.

Unfortunately the article in “The Flutist” goes on to report that there were few students entered in the contest and there was only a very small audience in attendance; “not a flute teacher or a music supervisor present. Mr. Van Leeuwen was praised for his interest and personality and willingness to judge.”

 

Recent History

One of the earliest preserved member lists of the Columbus Flute Club as it was transitioning into COFA contained the names Shirley Hickman Andrews, Cindy Blough, Kathy Borst (Jones), Sally Bowers, David Brobst, Sue Cowden, Barbara Crockett, Jeanne Cutting, Martha Durkin, Janet Ebert, Carol Evans, Sarah Farina, Arlene Fuhr, Richard Harris, Frank Hansen, Carol Hess, David Hite, Phyllis Hlasten (Hester), Sally Johnson, Sue Johnson, Ric Kaestner, Irene Klayman, Barbara Long, Donald McGinnis, Janice Mitchell, Kath Narcross, Beth Owen, Linda Robertson, Frank Schaeffer, Heather Schmidt, Jenny Skain, Helen Spangler, Mary Stanton, Martha Vore, Jim Westbrook, Mark Wehrle, Carol Winans, Bonnie Woods, and Judy Zeng (from around 1970).

In 1974 the Columbus Flute Club began again, perhaps because of the advent of the new National Flute Association which held its second convention in Pittsburgh in August of 1974. Some of the Columbus Flute Club members were Mary Stanton, Martha Vore, Linda Robertson (Allen), Katherine Borst, and Beth Owen. Meetings were held at The Ohio State University Hughes Hall and consisted of ensemble playing and member recitals. One memorable recital featured Janice Misseral-Mitchell. Another event featured Bernard Goldberg (NFA president, 1974-75) presenting master classes and performing the complete Bach Sonatas at the Schumacher Gallery at Capital University on May 13, 1975.

 

On October 10, 1982, Overda Page (Stonerock), flute professor at The Ohio State University, hosted a Flute Forum concert of ensemble music. The renewed interest generated at this event led to monthly meetings, a “Flute-In” at the June, Columbus Arts Festival, student and member recitals, master classes, and flute ensemble playing. In the fall of 1983, Robert Willoughby was the guest artist for a recital and master class. A newsletter from that year proudly states that the group was renamed the Central Ohio Flute Association. Officers included Overda Page, President; Tacy Edwards, Vice-President.

The first flute festival, May 5, 1984, organized by Lori Akins, was held at Capital University with Robert Dick, Gerald Carey, Randall Hester, George Pope and others presenting. The evening featured the finals of the three divisions of flute competitions. Winners were: collegiate, Christine Gaskill; senior high winner, Sarah Paul and Michelle Martin and Sonja Miller shared the junior division prize. Many exhibitors were present. The new organization continued to hold meetings in various locations throughout the Columbus area, hosting student and member recitals recital featuring contest music for the Ohio Music Education Association, among other events. Officers included Overda Page, President; Tacy Edwards, Vice-President. By 1985 the annual flute festival began to be held at The Ohio State University during the spring quarter. The number of exhibitors grew and a flute choir festival was included as well as the annual competition. From 1985 to 2000, Lori Akins served as President, with Phyllis Hester as Vice President and Beth Owen as Secretary. Katherine Borst Jones has served as chair of the Flute Festival since 1985. Many others have served in other capacities.

In 2000, The Central Ohio Flute Association became a student organization at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. COFA co-sponsors (with the OSU School of Music) a yearly flute festival. Presented are a guest artist, a flute choir showcase, four competitions, a vibrant exhibit hall, lectures, and other events. Normal attendance is between 100-400 enthusiasts. Throughout the year, master classes by visiting flutists are presented and are open to the public. Since 2000, the leadership of the student organization is elected by student members with Ohio State flute professor, Katherine Borst Jones, serving as advisor. An annual newsletter is written and posted on the COFA website. Guest artists for master classes and the flute festival have included Alberto Almarza, William Bennett, Bonita Boyd, Robert Dick, Jill Felber, James Galway, Walfrid Kujala, Donald Peck, Marina Piccini, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Paula Robison, Carol Wincenc, Robert Willoughby, Alexa Still, and Matthias Ziegler among many others. Special sessions have included Alexander Technique, Body Mapping, flute choir reading sessions, auditioning for college, contemporary techniques, piccolo playing, and many others throughout the years.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 festival was cancelled. In 2021, a virtual flute festival was held featuring guest artist Trudy Kane. Other events included panels, a master class and other events that could be staged online. The 2022 flute festival was again hosted in person in Hughes Hall because Weigel was under construction. The exhibits were held on the fourth floor, taking advantage of the practice rooms for safe flute explorations. All other normal events were held with Alberto Almarza as guest artist.

COFA remains committed to serving the needs of Central Ohio flutists by presenting recitals, master classes, and its annual flute festival. It has succeeded due to the long-time support of Ohio’s flutists, past and present, as well as the exhibitors who help sponsor our event with their resources and their presence. We look forward to our 40th Flute Festival, March 4th, 2023, which will take place in the new Timashev Family Music Building at The Ohio State University.

 

Compiled by Katherine Borst Jones, 9/20/22