I’m feeling inspired this month. The new school year always makes me feel this way. I’m in one middle school, two high schools and two universities every week this year, offering flute lessons around my city. This week, the middle school still smells like pencils and new books (although one of the high schools always smells like cheese powder and wet socks, even at the start of the year!) All my students are energized and fired up to go after their goals, and their band directors still look rested and ready. We’ll check back in after a month or so!

Our articles this month are equally inspiring! Kelly has written about the need for us to keep up with our visual health because when we can’t see well, it eventually affects the entire body as we play. Keith shared an article about fitting new headjoints on older instruments—there’s more that goes into a good fit than simply finding a head that will fit on the body you have. Our NYWC offering this month is Jennifer Castellano’s Reverie for solo flute, and for our monthly feature, I interviewed Judith Shatin, a prolific composer with a love for the flute and a very interesting life story.

Whatever you’re starting this month, we hope that you are feeling the light and energy of inspiration!

—Jessica Dunnavant, Editor

	A Conversation with Composer Judith Shatin Tell us about your background. What called you to a life in music? My background would never have predicted a life in music!…
	It’s All In Your Head – Part II I recently had a dear friend’s piccolo on my bench for an overhaul. It was a well-loved older Haynes piccolo. When an instrument…
	Do You See What I See? As the school year begins, children around the country are having their eyes and ears checked by school nurses.  Being able to see…
	“Reverie” for flute by Jennifer Castellano About the Piece This piece was composed in February 2003 and was written for a close friend of mine, Maria Mangino, who is…