A major highlight of this year’s professional development calendar in Austria was the fully booked, two-day Flute Intensive with Swiss flutist and composer Stefan Keller, held at the picturesque Weinberg Castle in Upper Austria.
Keller’s innovative compositions and educational materials are widely used by the 110 flute teachers of the Upper Austrian State Music School system – in lessons, examinations, and competitions. Recognizing the impact of his work, Claudia Nagl, Head of the Flute Department at the Upper Austrian State Music School Association, organized this special course in collaboration with the Association’s training academy.
A Deep Dive into Modern Flute Pedagogy
Under Stefan Keller’s direction, the course offered an intensive exploration of contemporary flute practice, including:
- Breathing, tone initiation, and tuning in
- Targeted exercises from Keller’s method book All You Need, with a focus on focus and resonance, scales in various forms, and interval studies using fourths and fifths
- Etudes from Palette, incorporating extended techniques such as bisbigliando, slap tongue, ghost keys, quarter tones, partials, whistle tones, and whisper tones
Participants also worked on two of Keller’s signature compositions, 4 Elements and Remember Me, followed by group discussions and interpretive insights.
Expanding the Sonic World of the Flute
A central theme of the workshop was the exploration of low flutes – including their role as solo instruments, in chamber music, and in pedagogy. Practical demonstrations highlighted the expressive capabilities of alto and bass flutes.
The first day concluded with a workshop concert showcasing flutes with microphones, effects, and live looping in quadraphonic sound, offering a unique and immersive performance experience.
On the second day, Keller introduced Improvisation for ALL—a spontaneous, group-based approach to free improvisation using modern techniques. The session was revisited throughout the workshop, encouraging creative risk-taking and interaction. In addition, yoga breathing techniques were introduced, providing a holistic dimension to flute playing.
The intensive also covered flute tuning using the sound bridge on the alto flute, and offered comparisons of headjoints made from different materials, with discussions on their tonal characteristics and practical applications.
This two-day event at Weinberg Castle left participants energized and inspired, blending tradition with innovation, and reaffirming the power of continuous learning in the art of flute playing.
STATEMENTS from participants at the FLUTE TRENDS seminar
Dear Stefan, Thank you again very much for the 2 great seminar days with: stimulating inspiration for improvisation an exciting concert arousing enthusiasm humorous word interludes and the resulting relaxed atmosphere didactically easy to understand explanations of modern playing techniques clear instructions and explanations of your published works and your Swiss hospitality I hope you can take home a great impression from Upper Austria to Switzerland.
Have a good journey home
Franz Öllinger
FLUTE TRENDS with Stefan Keller at Weinberg Castle (OöLmsw training programme May 2025)
From the minute I arrived, I was gripped by the serenity in the room, which lasted the entire two days! They were two humorous, energising days that offered a wonderful and fascinating insight into the work of Stefan Keller.
Thanks to the precise preparation of his pieces, the inhibition threshold for using them in lessons has become smaller! We also improvised in a wonderfully simple way, which is also easy to implement in everyday music school life! Everyone played one note and this was changed by conducting. Super easy, even for beginners on the flute.
At the workshop concert, we were given a detailed insight into his work with loops, microphones, technology…! Stefan Keller’s collection of sounds is fascinating, and of course they must not be missing in his improvisations! Our ears were deceived and irritated and even a helicopter flew over our heads!
A big thank you to Stefan Keller and these two great days!
Angelika Großruck
Here are my statements:
– many exciting insights into the modern flute speciality
– great equipment and interesting explanations
– informative information about Stefan Keller’s literature, which is also easy to play in lessons thanks to short and detailed explanations
– Very pleasant seminar atmosphere – at eye level
– It’s great that Stefan Keller also works in the basic area… you can tell that he is able to engage well with the general music school level
– many exercises that can be quickly and easily adopted in your own lessons.
Julia Prammer
As a long-time teacher at the OÖLMSW, the intensive study of the low flute instruments has encouraged me even more to use them in my everyday teaching. I have great respect for Stefan Keller’s technical equipment and expertise, which he presented to us in the workshop concert.
The evening “feedback session” in the nearby castle brewery with all colleagues was the perfect conclusion to this wonderful seminar.
Alexandra Wall
Immersing yourself in the sound of deep flutes, improvising without inhibitions, cool sounds and effects, a large portion of humour, … a seminar that was enriching in many ways.
Best regards
Christiane Auer
A few impressions of my seminar with Stefan Keller
For me, it was a seminar that was rarely as informative as it was warm, funny and appreciative. Stefan Keller impressed me not only with his high level of flute playing and technical expertise but also – and above all – with his incredibly joyful approach and teaching!
Best regards,
Maria Kratochwill
