5 comments about Symphony of Secrets: A Novel.

1. Single mother/music teacher Amy Johnson finally gets the break she has longed for--a place in the Minneapolis Symphony. It's a much needed boost after her daughter Clara announces that, instead of devoting more time to music, she is joining the cheerleading squad. Amy is quickly swept into a thrilling world of ego-driven musicians and concert sabotage. Wait, what? Concert sabotage? Yes, Amy's taste for mystery is challenged as well when strange "disasters" put the history of the Minneapolis Symphony in jeopordy. When Clara begins asking questions about her father, Amy has a much more intense problem than a mystery to sort out.
   
   I have loved every one of Sharon Hinck's books and this story was no exception. Many moms will relate to Amy's parenting insecurities, her struggles over past mistakes, and her desire to follow life-long dreams. Symphony of Secrets is a fun yet heart-touching story of dreams and secrets . . . and yes, a little bit of mystery.



2. Symphony of Secrets is the story of Amy Johnson who is a music teacher and single parent to Clara, her fifteen-year-old daughter. When a position for a flutist in the Minneapolis Symphony becomes available, Amy has the chance to fulfill the dream she gave up when she became pregnant. However, due to mysterious events that keep happening, the symphony is in danger of being closed and Amy's dream will once again be lost.
   
   Adding to Amy's stress is the fact that Clara, who is also musically talented, is much more interested in being a cheerleader at her school than in studying music. Amy dreads having to socialize with "cheerleader moms" and participating in fundraisers. When the situation arises where she must choose between attending Clara's cheerleading competition or playing a solo at a symphony-sponsored event, Amy relives the guilt she feels at having let Clara down in the past.
   
   Amy is a very dynamic character. Watching her agonize over the decision to be honest with Clara about her father's identity was moving. The guilt she felt about secrets from her past initially prevented her from trying to build a relationship with God. Her gradual change from disbelief to being open to the possibility of the existence of a higher power was well chronicled. I thought it was great that she did not have a revelation and instantly become religious because that is not how faith occurs. It grows over time.
   
   My only difficulty with the story was the way Amy constantly put herself in dangerous situations while trying to find out who was sabotaging the symphony. She seemed obsessed with keeping her dream alive, regardless of the consequences. As a parent, she should acted more responsibly and let the authorities investigate.
   
   Symphony of Secrets is a good story with great characters that contains two important messages. The first is that God seeks us out because He wants to help us. The second is not to make quick judgments about other people because first impressions are often misleading.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: Unique look at parental love--and human guilt.



3. I just finished reading Symphony of Secrets and loved it! I enjoyed how she wrote about a non-Christian and her journey towards faith which is unique in Christian fiction. Hinck made flutist Amy Johnson seem real as a musician with music affecting her whole life. I enjoyed all the music references. The dialogue was snappy and fun. The mother-teen daughter relationship was very real as well. I really appreciated how Amy was moved by the more classical piece she had to perform at the Basilica rather than through the contemporary music at the church her best friend attended. Of course all the Minnesota references were fun to visualize. Amy's sleuthing sometimes got a little over-the-top.
   
   It is obvious the author is planning a sequel--I just hope it is sooner than later! I am anxious to see the church Amy chooses and her continued spiritual growth, Clara finding her father, and of course how her relationship with Peter, the conductor, develops. He is very endearing.
   
   This is the first book I have read of Hinck's because I do not like sci-fi and the books about the young mom didn't interest this grandmother. But she nailed it with this one for me. I am seriously considering having our book club read it next year. I will certainly
   recommended it to them as an interesting, fun, and good read.



4. Amy is a single mom who has two passions in her life: her daughter and her flute. When she hears that tryouts are open to join the local symphony she jumps at the chance for what could finally be her big break. But it's not all happy melodies and cheery tunes. Amy has to put up with a jealous flutist and a daughter who can't seem to understand her passion for music. Then there's her symphony master who seems to have more than just a musical interest in Amy. To top it off someone seems bent on destroying the symphony's reputation and closing it down for good. Will Amy be able to use her amateur sleuthing skills to track the culprit?
   
   I used to play an instrument. I played trumpet in the middle school band for three years. I got as high as first chair. So I could definitely related with Amy and her quest in the classical music world. Even if you're completely tone deaf, you won't get lost amid all the musical terms in this book. Everything is explained precisely so even the those who don't know a timpani from a tuba will be able to follow along. To be honest I didn't really like Clara that much. Usually it's because I bond with the protagonists that makes me dislike other characters who don't get along with them. I felt at times that Clara was selfish towards her mother's own wants and needs. Yes, Amy should have told her daughter the true story about her birth father from the beginning and not kept it a secret. But at the same time, I felt like it wasn't fair that Clara would place guilt trips on Amy for not being like the other moms. Obviously Amy was not a cheerleader type mom and I felt that Clara didn't seem to realize that being a single mom is not an easy task. I'm glad that for the most part they have a wonderful mother-daughter relationship but it just irked me a bit at the unreasonable demands placed on Amy at times. I loved the growing relationship between Amy and Peter. It wasn't your typical love story, fused instead with lots of humor and realistic feelings. The mystery part was great as well. Love seeing Amy's skills being put to use. This book was like several different stories combined into one - music, romance, relationship, mystery. Just like a medley of different songs, the author meshes them together to form a wonderful melody to the eyes. Another winner for Sharon Hinck!



5. Open this book and enter a world of symphonies, mysteries, cheerleaders, romance, laughter, faith and love. Sharon Hinck managed to compose a story as entertaining as the symphonic music her main characters perform.
   
   Amy Johnson has dreamt of playing flute professionally instead of for weddings. Her dreams are realized when she earns a place in the Minneapolis Symphony. But, what is she to do when her daughter becomes more interested in cheerleading than music, her attraction to the conductor leads to distraction and the mysterious disasters and near-misses threaten to close the symphony for good? She turns on her amateur sleuth skills to investigate and solve the crimes. Then she will be back in control of her life, her daughter, her destiny.
   
   Amy's daughter starts attending church with her best friend and talking about God. Amy is certain God has no place in His heart for her. While playing in an ensemble between masses one Sunday, the creator of music touches a spot in her heart.
   
   Will Amy solve the mystery before her beloved orchestra, her one chance at the profession, closes? Will she and her daughter find a way to reconnect? Will the attraction between Amy and Peter, the maestro, bud into something bigger before they drive each other crazy?
   
   Read the book. You will laugh out loud. You will love the story and if you listen carefully, I believe you can hear the symphony playing. Sharon has done it again, creating great story and endearing characters. You'll want to revisit them and see how their lives turn out.

2 comments about The Complete Flute Player (Flute).

1. This is a terrific instruction book on how to play the flute. I am relearning how to play the flute after a hiatus of about 12 years. I used a few different flute manuals, but quickly became bored with the same scales and uninteresting tunes. This book gives step-by-step instruction by using popular songs from modern artists including The Beatles, John Denver, etc. It's fun and exciting to quickly find yourself playing a recognizable tune. While scales and drills are always important when learning how to play a musical instrument, it's refreshing to have a book that can help you learn to play using modern music instead of waltzes and polkas.



2. I bought this book a couple years ago when I decided that I wanted to teach myself the flute. A couple quick notes: A teacher (or at least a friend who plays flute) will make life much easier for you.

   The book is reasonably well illustrated and the musical samples provide enough interest to keep a motivated learner going. I can't speak to whether the instruction on reading music is useful as I came at the book already reading music. I just needed to know how to make notes out of the flute.

   I do wish that a comprehensive fingering chart of all 3 octaves were included (there's a 2-octave chart with the 3rd octave scattered through the last two "volumes"), and I think that dynamics are addressed later in the book than they should, but overall it's a great read. my own experiences with the book are documented at don.dream-in-color.net/flute

4 comments about Claude Bolling - Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio: Score and Parts.

1. This is a wonderful piece of music if you love the idea of playing jazz but do not know how to improvise. The jazz purests would condem music like this...not improvised, but it is good and absolutley fun to play. It is necessary to get a good jazz trio-(piano,bass and drums) to accompany the flute. The feel must be right so the flute can sound its best!



2. I`ve just heard this music performed live in Thiviers France.
   If you like jazz and classical you`ll like this.
   It`s a sprinkling of Bach with a dusting of Jaques Loussier and a dash of Django and a soupcon of MJQ and a generous helping of Bolling. It`s lively, melodious and lyrical in turn.
   I`m going to buy it.



3. I bought this a few months ago and am about half way through learning the whole thing. I've owned the record/CD since 1974, so I was very familiar with the music , which I think helps. Claude Bolling's unique piano style can be imitated very easily once the songs are learned. There are some very difficult passages in these songs, so learning everything may take some time, but the challenge is worth it once you start to become familiar with them. The one relatively easy song, Irlandaise, can be learned fairly quickly if you've had any classical musical training. Overall, a great piece of music and worth every penny!



4. I consider this piece a mandatory one in the repertoire of any serious flutist, as it is perhaps one of the first examples of "crossover" music between classical and jazz styles. The recording itself was a platinum record during the 1970's. The recording is still available so that the written music can be followed easily, and if you are fortunate enough to have a good pianist to follow, you will find the music fun and not so difficult to play, if you are an intermediate or advanced flutist.

No comments about Hymns for the Master: Flute.

3 comments about Mel Bay Fun With the Pan Flute.

1. This book was basically a piece of trash, never in my life have I read such garbage. Also in my 58 years of life I have never been lulled to sleep quicker by any other piece of literature.



2. Another customer said this book was a piece of trash and hard to follow. Maybe he/she was referring to a different book? Basic knowledge of notation is helpful to know before hand, but this book is useful to anyone who wants to learn to play the pan flute.



3. Thank you Mr. Faubion for making this new experience so easy and fun! I read the other reviews and just had to put my two cents in! I had NO trouble following,understanding and learning from your information packed book. Perhaps the lady wasn't aware this was a beginners book? Oh well, I'm looking at some of the other books you have written now and will continue to learn from them I'm sure! Thanks, and please keep writing!

2 comments about Mel Bay Sacred Solos for the Flute Volume 2 Book/CD Set.

1. 5 stars for the score but 3 stars for the CD.
   
   Dona Gilliam and Mizzy McCaskill's arrangements are very beautifully written and fresh sounding. They've done a great job of preserving the original beloved tunes by setting them in accompaniments that sound clear and familiar, yet surprising. My pianist likes these as much as I do. These are not the usual ho-hum bland arrangements that musicians so often encounter, but fresh, beautiful, yet easy to play interpretations. It's listed with accompaniment for piano and organ, but these arrangements also play beautifully on harpsichord.
   
   The set has solo flute part, accompaniment part and a CD. If you aren't blessed with access to a wonderful accompanist, then you can use the CD as accompaniment in a pinch. Unfortunately, the performance on the CD is extremely bland. This is the first of this type of CD accompaniment I've ever listened to, and perhaps the sterile interpretation on the CD is typical? done intentionally to allow the flutist freedom of a completely blank slate to interpret the lines as s/he chooses? When I tried to use it I found the CD confining, but some flutists may find it helpful.
   
   I give it a 5 star rating because the score is beautiful and well worth the asking price - even if you don't plan to use the CD. It's also a great piece to have on hand during the holidays when you're asked to play something for Christmas because of the Medley of Traditional Christmas Carols.



2. I recently played some of these solos for my cousin's wedding. I thought the arrangements were decent although I wish they were more advanced. This would be ideal for a beginner or intermediate flute player. The cd accompaniment that comes with it is not great at all. It is very square and doesn't allow for much freedom or rubato. It isn't a real piano playing either. It is a MIDI recording. I would suggest playing with a pianist.

No comments about Trevor Wye: A Beginner's Book for Flute, Part 2.

3 comments about Flute (Yehudi Menuhin Music Guides).

1. James Galway is an amazing musician, and this is a wonderful book. He has insitlled in me a deeper appreciation for the instrument itself. From history to techinque, every page encourages the reader to strive for nothing less than absolute beauty in creating music. While many professional musicians have a way of intimidating, Mr. Galway's approach is to build up one's ability and confidence. Although at this time I am an intermediate player at best, Mr. Galway's wit, humor, knowledge, and love of the flute will help me grow as a musician.



2. This is one of the best well-rounded books about the flute I have ever read! As an amateur flutist and flute teacher, I am always looking for new ideas and fresh perspectives to enrich my own playing and that of my students. James Galway does that. His easy-reading style has enough information to satisfy the knowledge-hungry without overwhelming the novice. I love it!



3. Book arrived in excellent conditon and in a timely fashion.

1 comments about The Flute (Yale Musical Instrument Series).

1. A thoughtful, thorough history of the flute. Perhaps a little too narrowly focussed, as the flute's history included relevant interactions with other woodwinds, none of which are mentioned. Does not say enough about the flute after 1960, and could use an expansion of the material on such topics as the pccolo, alto and bass flutes--this is a serious deficiency. Not quite as thoroughly referenced as other volumes in this series, but generally this meets an adequate scholarly standard. There are some formal idiosyncracies which the author accepts. Despite its weaknesses, this is the current "definitive" history of the flute. Well recommended, and not too costly!

2 comments about The Magic Flute Unveiled: Esoteric Symbolism in Mozart's Masonic Opera.

1. Prof. Chailley's examination of one of Mozart's masterpieces is scarcely recent news: the book has been around for decades. It is none the less a seminal work for all of its longevity.
   
   Particularly as an "outsider"--Chailley was not a Freemason--the author writes with clarity, insight, and years of familiarity with his musical subject, and clear understanding of his fraternal one. The result is a book that is both readable and informative. With even-handed thoughtfulness, Chailley provides important information for anyone who wants to understand The Magic Flute--an otherwise enigmatic work.
   
   This is an important book. In fact, it is a landmark of music scholarship. There are, of course, other books and articles dealing with this subject, but none supersedes this one, and some should be consigned to the benighted trash pile of conspiracist ravings.
   
   Chailley's work should be in the library of any serious Mozart student.
   
   While Chailley is more a scholar of music than of esoterica, it should find its way into libraries of students of Freemasonry as well. In fact, it might encourage some Masons to take Mozart a bit more seriously than many do.



2. The tenet of this book is that the Magic Flute is not some fairy tale with farcical elements but a symbolic depiction of the Battle of the Sexes (and the elevation of Woman) in the guise of Tamino's (and Pamina's) initiation rites into the Masonic order.
   
   The book is divided into three parts, the first dealing with the relation between Mozart and Freemasonry in general and the circumstances of the writing of the Magic Flute in particular. The second part details the Masonic beliefs and practices in the Viennese lodges at around 1800, one of which counted Mozart as a member. The third part is a detailed, scene by scene analysis of the entire opera on the basis of the original libretto, both musically as well as theatrically, applying the insights from the first two parts. Since I am a musical illiterate I cannot comment on the musical aspect.
   
   I have a DVD of the opera and it was great fun to compare it with the analysis in the book. From the start there were serious discrepancies. The Magic Flute was not painted gold, Tamino was not an arrowless archer in Japanese dress and the Three Ladies forgot to put on their veils. (Gold is the colour of the Sun, symbol of Male superiority. Tamino without arrows signifies that as an uninitiated he lacks penetrating insights, his Japanese dress indicating he comes from the Orient, where the Sun rises. The veils are a symbol of feminine ignorance, the Ladies' flirtations over an unconscious Tamino representing an inferior kind of love, analogous to Monostatos' lusting after Pamina).
   
   I still remember how flabbergasted I was when I first saw the opera, shocked by what seemed to me its nonsensical story. This book offers an explanation. Whether you accept it or not depends on how convincing the middle part is. Not being a Freemason the author had to reconstruct Masonic beliefs and initiation rites out of independent sources. Nevertheless the book is a stimulating read and I therefore recommend it wholeheartedly.