I started Flutes & Flutists with the aim of creating the best leading edge, flute supply and servicing business possible. This had been my aim when I first created Flute Fidelity back in the early 1990’s. Many people have asked why the name “Flutists” and not “Flautists”. My reply is that from a global perspective there is more support etymologically for “flutist”. The British use “flautist” but only since about 1860 when they adopted Italian opera with great enthusiasm. Prior to that “flutist” or “fluter” were most common. Probably my main reason was that people would ask the question “why flutist?” and in the process be more likely to remember the name of the business. Flutes & Flutists opened its new shop at 140 Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge, Sydney on October 29. We have a great new shop where you can park out the front for an hour or two without parking costs, a great new coffee machine, very comfortable display and try out rooms and a range of over 100 different flutes to choose from. The team is the same as it was with Flute Fidelity and you can find more info at www.flutesandflutists.com Central to the philosophy of Flutes & Flutists is the desire to facilitate you choosing the flute that most suits you and then for us to support you in maintaining that flute in top performing condition for as long as you use it. To that end you will find the whole team at Flutes & Flutists have a wealth of experience in the areas of performing, teaching and servicing. Their desire and commitment is for you to love your flute and the work they do on it, then be inspired to make wonderful music. Another core part of our approach, is to have a manageable number of the worlds leading brands. By doing this we are able to hold the complete range of appointed brands in stock and also get unparalleled support from our suppliers. With over 100 different models, you get incomparable choice. All of these brands have sought Flutes & Flutists to represent them, just as have most of the leading professionals and teachers in the country, along with many of the worlds leading flute players from overseas, for servicing of their precious instruments. The Repair Department at Flutes & Flutists, headed up by Angus McEwan is second to none worldwide. Read what such luminaries as Marianne Gedigian, Associate Professor of Flute, University of Austin, Texas has to say “While travelling abroad, one never knows when your flute might act up. While in Sydney, I was fortunate to work closely with David and Lyndie, true advocates of our instrument and music, and to benefit from Angus' magical workmanship. This team is truly one of the best in the world and I look forward to my next opportunity to work with all of them. They have my trust and admiration” And also from Lisa Osmialowski, well known London freelance flutist resident in Sydney, “The team at Flutes & Flutists are fantastic; they have created a wonderful environment for flutists' needs, delivered with enthusiasm and underpinned by quality.” To be successful in playing I believe you need a good quality instrument, you need that instrument to be well maintained, you need the right information for learning and also a disciplined approach. Unless all these ingredients are present, success is easily undermined. At Flutes & Flutists we know most of the teachers and performers around Australia and can point to support where you might need it. This is also why Lyndie and I, in association with Professor Elizabeth Koch from Adelaide, have created the Australian Flute Festival, a biannual event featuring all things flute and highly recommended to anyone even with the slightest interest in matters to do with the flute. Go to www.australianflutefestival.com We hope to see you there in 2009.