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UpTown Flutes is a flute octet encompassing the full range of the flute family:piccolo, C flute, alto, bass, and contrabass flutes.  

We are proud to be celebrating our 23rd year!   Based in northern New Jersey, Virginia Schulze-Johnson is the ensemble's Founder and its first Director.  UpTown Flutes Co-Directors are Karen Demsey and Rebecca Vega.  

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UpTown Flutes actively commission new works, bringing new music to a wide audience.  We have two published composers in the ensemble, L. Elise Carter and John McMurtery, and we've recorded works by both composers on two of our four albums.

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UpTown Flutes is honored that Valerie Coleman composed two pieces for the ensemble after hearing us perform: Goin' UpTown and Elegy.  We premiered both works with Valerie Coleman and Alexa Still at the National Flute Association Convention in Washington, D.C. and at The Kennedy Center.

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UpTown Flutes has recorded four albums, with a fifth album in the planning stages that will include Valerie Coleman's works for UpTown Flutes and a piece by UpTown Flutes member John McMurtery.  

 

UpTown Flutes members are also educators at universities, public schools, and private studios.  Education is part of our ensemble mission, both with general audiences and through events for students, such as the annual New Jersey Flute Choir Day for flutists of all ages, held each spring on the campus of Caldwell University.