Repertoire List – Small Ensembles

Repertoire Recommendations for Small Ensembles

Music selection is a very personal thing.  I have tried to give some information about the difficulty level of the music listed, but just because a piece is listed as “Easy”, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s not worthy of being played by a professional ensemble.  Since I teach as well as perform, I have tried to put notes about many of these pieces’ suitability for students, as well as for gigs.  For casual gigs, it’s important to have a lot of music that’s easy to put together, but sounds good.  I’ve tried to list some of my favorites here.  I’ve also listed some of my favorite concert pieces.  This list is by no mean exhaustive, and I’ll try to keep adding to it from time to time.

FLEXIBLE     CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY      DUETS    

TWO FLUTES & PIANO    TRIOS

 QUARTETS     CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY QUARTETS    

NAME COMPOSER ARRANGER PARTS GENRE PUBLISHER PLAYTIME DIFFICULTY COMMENTS
FLEXIBLE
American  Patriotic Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more) Traditional Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 13 pieces, 1:30-3:00 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Christmas and Hanukah Songs for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more), Volume 1

Christmas and Hanukah Songs for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more), Volume 2

Traditional Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 12 pieces, 1:30 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Classical Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more), Volume 1

Classical Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more), Volume 2

Various Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 12 pieces, 1:30-3:00 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Favorite Movie Standards Snell, Keith solo, duet, trio Pop CPP/Belwin 15 pieces INT good gig music
Irish Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4, or more) Various Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 14 pieces, 1:30-3:00 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Jewish Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4, or more) Various Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 15 pieces, 1:30-3:00 min. each EASY Great for secular occasions and synagogue services–Jewish folk songs, songs for holidays and festivals and liturgical music are included
Sacred Music–Hymns for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more) Various Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 17 pieces, 1:00-2:00 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY DUETS
Christmas and Hanukah Songs for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more), Volume 1

Christmas and Hanukah Songs for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more), Volume 2

Traditional Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Christmas Music for Two Flutes Smithson, Suzanne duet Xmas Elliot Weisgarber 22 songs EASY includes background info on each song–easy… good for students
International Christmas Duets Lombardo, Ricky duet Xmas LMP 15 songs EASY good for students or gigs
More Christmas Music for Two Flutes Smithson, Suzanne duet Xmas Elliot Weisgarber 18 songs EASY includes background info on each song–easy… good for students
DUETS
Album of Flute Duets various, incl. Beethoven, W.F. Bach, Naudot, Reicha Moyse, Louis (ed.) duet G. Schirmer 12 duets INT/ADV One of my standbys for gigs and more advanced students.
American  Patriotic Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more) Traditional Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 13 pieces, 1:30-3:00 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Classical Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more), Volume 1

Classical Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more), Volume 2

Various Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 12 pieces, 1:30-3:00 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Disney Movie Favorites for Recorder Let’s Play Recorder! Series duet arr. Hal Leonard 9 songs EASY These arrangements for recorder are MUCH easier for students than the flute arrangements! Plus they’re in duet form and great for lessons.
Duet Adventures Meredith, Jim duet orig. & arr. Macie Publishing 11 songs VERY EASY very easy arrangements, including Chester & some orig. music, including Green Onion Rock
Extended Techniques–Double the Fun Louke, Phyllis Avidan duet orig. & arr. ALRY 12 songs EASY to INT great way to introduce extended techniques to students.  Good for ensembles, too.
Halloween Duets Potter, Chris duet arr. Voice of the Rockies EASY/INT Fun!
Irish Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4, or more) Various Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 14 pieces, 1:30-3:00 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Jewish Liturgical Music for Two Flutes Louke, Phyllis Avidan duet Arr. ALRY 8 pieces EASY Great for secular occasions and synagogue services
Jewish Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4, or more) Various Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 15 pieces, 1:30-3:00 min. each EASY Great for secular occasions and synagogue services–Jewish folk songs, songs for holidays and festivals and liturgical music are included
Favorite Movie Standards Snell, Keith solo, duet, trio Pop CPP/Belwin 15 pieces INT good gig music
Flute Magic (48 solos & duets) Cappuccio, Gerry duet arr. Warner Bros. 48 songs INT Lot’s of oldies–good for retirement home gigs
Anything in the “Let’s Play Recorder!” Series duet arr. Hal Leonard various pops arrangements EASY There are various books, including Beatles, Musicals, etc. that are very easy.  The only caveat is since they’re written for recorder, they’re voiced pretty low, with frequent low C’s.
Modern Flutist 2 Zgraja, Krystof duet orig. Schott 20 duets INT Great for students & gigs.  These are really creative duets that aren’t too difficult in various pop styles.  My favorites are “Loco-Motive” & “Funky Duo”
Sacred Music–Hymns for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more) Various Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 17 pieces, 1:00-2:00 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Selected Duets for Flute Vol. II (Advanced)–orange book various Voxman, H. duet Rubank INT/ADV One of my standbys for gigs and more advanced students.
Selected Duets for Flute Vol. I (Easy-Medium)–yellow book various Voxman, H. duet Rubank EASY/INT This is a great book to get students started with duets in their 2nd year of playing.  I have also used this for gigs.
TWO FLUTES & PIANO
Andante and Rondo Doppler, Franz various INT/ADV
Sean’s Dance Grady, Jennifer ALRY INT/ADV Beautiful!
Soaring Grady, Jennifer ALRY INT/ADV Beautiful!
Three Dances for Two Flutes & Piano Schocker, Gary JP Publications ADV
TRIOS
Adon Olam Louke, Phyllis Avidan c1-3 Arr. ALRY EASY arrangement of a beautiful Jewish song–easy
American  Patriotic Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more) Traditional Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 13 pieces, 1:30-3:00 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Carol of the Bells Christensen, James c1-3 Xmas Almitra Music INT
Christmas and Hanukah Songs for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more) Traditional Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Xmas ALRY 12 pieces, 1:30 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Cimerosa Suite George, Thom Ritter c1-3 Arr. Composer approx. 5-7 min. INT Really nicely written.  Our group loves to play this because all of the parts are fun.
Classical Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more), Volume 1

Classical Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more), Volume 2

Various Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 12 pieces, 1:30-3:00 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Drunken Sailor Cowles, Colin c1-3 Arr. 3-4 min. INT
Favorite Movie Standards Snell, Keith solo, duet, trio Pop CPP/Belwin 15 pieces INT good gig music
Grand Trio Beethoven c1-3 INT one of my favorite concert trios
Havah Nagilah Louke, Phyllis Avidan c1-2,3/b Arr. ALRY INT
Irish Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4, or more) Various Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 14 pieces, 1:30-3:00 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Jewish Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4, or more) Various Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 15 pieces, 1:30-3:00 min. each EASY Great for secular occasions and synagogue services–Jewish folk songs, songs for holidays and festivals and liturgical music are included
Pop Trios for All Story, Michael c1-3 Pop Warner Bros. Publications 15 pieces EASY/INT great for kid groups–Star Wars Theme & Pink Panther, etc.
Sacred Music–Hymns for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more) Various Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 17 pieces, 1:00-2:00 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Six Holiday Carols for Trio Bowen, Steven c1-3 Xmas EASY
Six Trios for Three Flutes Devienne Wummer (ed) c1-3 International INT/ADV really nice
Six Trios for Three Flutes, Op. 83 Hook, James Voxman, H. (ed.) c1-3 Rubank INT wonderful Classical style trios! A must have.
Sonatina IV Mozart, W. A. McLeod, James “Red” c1-3 Kendor EASY EASY/INT nicely arranged–good for student groups
Three Blind Mice Scherzo Colby, Carleton c1-3 folk 2 min INT cute!  Might be out of print.
Trio for Flutes (Flotentrio)–3 mvmts. Zempleni, Laszlo c1-3 Orig. 2+3+2 min. INT One of our group’s favorites.
Trios for Fun (Sailor’s Hornpipe, American Patrol, Can Can) Lombardo, Ricky c1-3 Arr. ALRY INT Good piece for variety or for less formal venues.
QUARTETS
Academie of Dance McMichael, Catherine c1-2,a,b & piano Orig. ALRY INT/ADV beautiful!  3 of 4 movements require piano.
Adagio and Scherzo, Op. 77 Wouters, Adolphe F. Voxman, H. (ed.) Orig. Rubank (Hal Leonard) INT/ADV good concert music–fairly advanced (especially fast 2nd movement)
Alexander’s Ragtime Band Berlin Holcombe, Bill c1-4,opt. a,b Arr. Musicians  Publ. 3 min. INT/ADV Fun and jazzy!  Great audience pleaser.
American Flute Salute Holcombe, Bill c1-4,opt. a,b Arr. Musicians Publ. INT/ADV Medley of American tunes with a jazzy twist.
American  Patriotic Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more) Traditional Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 13 pieces, 1:30-3:00 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Brother James Air Kile, Nora c1-4,opt. b Arr. ALRY EASY
Camptown Races Foster, Stephen Holcombe, Bill c1-4,opt. a,b Arr. Musicians Publ. INT/ADV
Classical Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more), Volume 1

Classical Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more), Volume 2

Various Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 12 pieces, 1:30-3:00 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Comedians Gallop Kabalevsky Lombardo, Ricky p, c1-2,a/c3,b Arr. LMP 2 min. INT Makes a good opener or closer to a program.
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik–4 mvmts. (Serenade, Romanze, Menuetto, & Rondo) Mozart McWayne, Dorli c1-2,c/a,b (w/div. parts) Arr. ALRY 5+4-8+1-2+4 INT Well done arrangement.
Epigrams McGinty, Anne c1-4 Orig. ALRY INT
Flute Symphony Holmes, G.E. c1-4 Arr. Rubank? INT a nice variety of tunes in this collection.  Suitable for student groups or adult groups.
Four Renaissance Motets (O Magnum Mysterium, O Quam Gloriosum, O Vos Omnes, Ave Maria) Victoria, Tomas Luis de Louke, Phyllis Avidan c1-3,a, opt. picc & bass Arr. avail. from arranger 10-12 min. EASY/INT This works well for flute choir and sounds gorgeous.
Gaelic Offering, A McMichael, Catherine c1-4 Arr. ALRY INT Arrangement of four Irish songs in separate movements (two fast & two slow and gorgeous).  Well scored with all parts of equal difficulty.
Gay Nineties Medley Holcombe/Parente c1-4,opt. a,b Arr. Musicians Publ. 6-7 min. INT/ADV Medley with jazzy rhythms and fun to play and listen to.
George M. Cohan Medley Cohan, George M. Nagle, Paul c1-4,opt. a,b Arr. Musicians Publ. INT/ADV Medley with jazzy rhythms and fun to play and listen to.
Holberg Suite  (Gavotte & Sarabande) Grieg Jicha, Victoria c1-4 Arr. ALRY EASY/INT simplified, but very effective
Irish Aire and Jig Kibbe, Michael c1-4 Arr. Shawnee Press INT Londonderry Air & Irish Washerwoman–great arrangement!
Irish Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4, or more) Various Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 14 pieces, 1:30-3:00 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Jewish Music for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4, or more) Various Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 15 pieces, 1:30-3:00 min. each EASY Great for secular occasions and synagogue services–Jewish folk songs, songs for holidays and festivals and liturgical music are included
Jamaican Rhapsody Traditional Nowak c1-4,opt. a,b Folk Musicians Publications 3-4 min. INT/ADV Medley with jazzy rhythms and fun to play and listen to.
Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair Foster, Stephen Holcombe, Bill c1-4,opt. a,b Folk Musicians Publications 4-5 min. INT/ADV This is great coupled with arrangements of two other Stephen Foster tunes by Bill Holcombe (Camptown Races and Oh Susanna)
Jazz Divertimento Guiot, Raymond c1-3,a Orig. Lemoine 7:30 min. INT/ADV Jazzy & fun in three movements–really well written.
Jour D’Ete a la Montagne Bozza, Eugene c1-4 Orig. ADV wonderful concert music
La Caccia (Quartet)–2 mvmt. Telemann Gatti c1-4 Arr. 2+2.5 min INT We usually use the 2nd movement.  It makes a great opener–it’s like a fanfare.
La Lune et Les Etoiles McMichael, Catherine p/1,2,a,b Orig. ALRY INT/ADV Beautiful! (Advanced)
Lovely Fields So Gentle Gluck, C. W. c1-4 Arr. Southern INT Beautiful!  Good for weddings.
Madama Butterfly Suite (4 arias from Madama Butterfly) Puccini Louke, Phyllis Avidan c1-3,4/b Arr. avail. from arranger INT
Mississippi Rag Krell, W. H. Frackenpohl, Arthur c1-4 Arr. Kendor 3 min. INT
Oh Susanna Foster, Stephen Holcombe, Bill c1-4,opt. a,b Arr. Musicians Publications INT/ADV
Pastorale Scarlatti, Domenico Grady, Jennifer c1-4 Arr. ALRY INT
Planets, The Holst, Gustav Louke, Phyllis Avidan c1-4,opt. a,b Arr. Falls House 21 min. INT All 7 movement of The Planets in an abbreviated form.  All the themes are there, but it is a true arrangement, rather than a transcription.  Can be performed with as few as 4 flutes, but the addition of alto and bass gives it more depth.
Pop Quartets for All Story, Michael c1-4 Popular Warner Bros. Publications 12 pieces EASY/INT includes Peter Gunn, Louie Louie, Summertime, JamesBond Theme–great for kids!
Quartett (In the Church, Parents Hope for Children, In the Kitchen) Alexander Tcherepnin, op. 60 c1-4 Orig. INT Concert music
Sacred Music–Hymns for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more) Various Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY 17 pieces, 1:00-2:00 min. each EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Simple Gifts Traditional Louke, Phyllis Avidan c1/p,c2/p,c3-4, opt. a,b Arr. ALRY 3-5 min. INT
Sinfonica pour Quatuor de Flutes, Op. 12 Reicha, A. c1-4 orig. INT/ADV 1st part is advanced
Sonata in F Sheidler Lisa Ochoco c1-3,a Classical Falls House INT
Sound of Music, Selections from Hammerstein Holcombe & Dorsey c1-4,opt. a,b Popular Musicians Publications 12 min. INT/ADV I love this arrangement!
Suite Butterfly–3 mvmts. (Caterpillar, Chrysalis, Butterfly) Louke, Phyllis Avidan p/c1,c2-3,c4/a/b Orig. ALRY 3+3+2 min. INT Programmatic work in 3 movements describing the life cycle of the butterfly.
Three Preludes Gershwin, George Bacchus, Peter c1-2,a,b arr. approx. 6 INT/ADV
Tico Tico No Fuba See: Flauta Vol. 1 Woltzenlogel, Celso c1-3,a,string bass Arr. ALRY INT/ADV
Turkey in the Straw (Quartet) Traditional Leeuwen, Ary van c1-3,a Trad. 5-7 min. INT/ADV
CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY QUARTETS
Alleluia Manuel, Ralph Jicha, Victoria Arr. ALRY INT
Angels We Have Heard Sobaje, Martha C1-4 Arr. 4 min. INT
Christmas and Hanukah Songs for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more), Volume 1

Christmas and Hanukah Songs for Flexible Flute Ensemble (2,3,4 or more), Volume 2

Traditional Louke, Phyllis Avidan 2-5 flutes, opt. a/b Arr. ALRY EASY Great for student groups or easy to put together gig music.  Can be played with 2 parts, up to 5 parts plus alto & bass.
Christmas Carols for Flute Choir Christensen, James c1-4 Arr. Kendor INT book of basic Christmas carols–a standard
Christmas Jazz Suite Holcombe, Bill c1-4, a,b Arr. Musicians Publ. INT/ADV Christmas medley with a jazzy twist.  Fun!
Dance of the Reed Pipes Christiansen, James c1-4 Arr. Kendor 2 min/ INT
Four Renaissance Motets (O Magnum Mysterium, O Quam Gloriosum, O Vos Omnes, Ave Maria) Victoria, Tomas Luis de Louke, Phyllis Avidan c1-3,a, opt. picc & bass Arr. Available from arranger EASY/INT This works well for flute choir and sounds gorgeous.
Hallelujah Chorus (from Messiah) Handel Maddox, Robert c1-6,a,b Arr. ALRY INT
Hanukah Suite (Maoz Tsur, Mi Y’Malel, Hanukah, On Hanukah) Louke, Phyllis  Avidan c1-4, opt. alto, bass Arr. ALRY 12 min. INT 4 Hanukah Songs
Let it Snow Christianson, James c1-4 Arr. Kendor INT
Lyric Noel, A (Bring a Torch Jeannette Isabella, Still Still Still, Angels We Have Heard on High, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear) McMichael, Catherine c1-4 Original ALRY INT/ADV Catherine McMichael does a beautiful job with this arrangement.
Parade of the Tin Soldiers Jessel Cavally, Robert c1-3,a Arr. 5 min. approx. INT/ADV
Renaissance Noel, A (Good King Wenceslas, Lo How a Rose, Pat a Pan, What Child is This?) McMichael, Catherine c1-3,4/a/b Arr. ALRY INT Beautiful arrangements.
Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer Christiansen, James c1-4 Arr. 2.64 INT
Simple Gifts Traditional Louke, Phyllis Avidan c1/p,c2/p,c3-4, opt. a,b Arr. ALRY 3-5 min. INT
Sugarplums & Mistletoe Isaacson, Michael p/c1,c2-3,a/b Orig. ALRY approx 3 INT Original piece for the holidays… cute.
Three by Tschaikovsky (from Nutcracker Suite) Tschaikovsky Morland c1-4 Arr. INT/ADV Nicely done arrangement with only 4 parts.
Two Paraphrases on Walloon Christmas Carols Jongen c1-3,a Classical/Xmas 5-7 min. approx. INT/ADV

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