The Virtuosic Eb Flute Presented by Dr. Linda Bailey

Winds Between the Worlds; Fresh Airs from the Northern Isles by Kari Cruver Medina
I. Skara Brae “The Ancient Ones”
II. Foula “Bird Island”
III. Ring of Brodgar  “Stone Circle”
IV. Trows “Faerie Creatures”
V. Mirrie Dancers “Northern Lights”
VI. Ceilidh “Party”
VII. Cianalas “Longing and Belonging”

Dr. Linda Bailey, Eb Flute

Variations for Solo Eb Flute                                          by Adrian Dee b. 1957
Theme
Variation I. Meno Mosso Adagio Rubato
Variation II. Con Fuoco
Variation III. Pesante
Variation IV. Allegro
Variation V. Moderato Rubato
VariationVI. Presto
VariationVII. Reel
Variation VIII. Cadenza
Coda

Dr. Linda Bailey, Eb Flute
World Premiere

“Playing in the Currents” Duet for E-flat Flutes                         by Adrian Dee b. 1957
I. Seagulls
II. Dolphins

Dr. Linda Bailey and Christina Steffen, Eb Flute

While water sings, so must he  for solo E-flat flute                         by Bonnie Cochran

Dr. Linda Bailey, Eb Flute
World Premiere

Program Notes

Winds Between the Worlds; Fresh Airs from the Northern Isles for Solo Eb Flute by Kari Cruver Medina is a haunting, playful, celebratory and evocative. These 7 short movements are influenced by Scottish and Norwegian traditions. The Northern Islands off the coast of Scotland are a land between worlds. These remarkable islands are marinated in the language and mythologies of both ancient Scotland and Norway. Rugged and isolated, they support a rich population of sea and birdlife and historically supported a thriving Neolithic culture whose stone monuments and settlements remain to this day. The landscape is marked by these remarkable layers of civilization living between land and sea, and Nordic and Scottish influences continue to play out in place names, customs, language, stories and legends.
Each of the seven short "Airs" below represent a cultural breeze that blows in and washes over the listener with the wind of some magic Island moment.

Seattle-based composer and pianist, Kari Cruver Medina, has worked as a composer, music director, studio musician, and Emmy-nominated composer for film and television. Her award winning music includes compositions spanning a broad swath of stylistic traditions, including art song, solo and chamber works as well as choral, band, and orchestral compositions. Literature, history, faith, folklore, and the intersection of arts and culture have always intrigued her. These interests reflect in engaging music that is marinated in an imaginative, often whimsical blend of narrative and nature.

Variations for Solo Eb Flute by Adrian Dee
World Premiere performed at OME 2026 Festival
Dee has written each variation to highlight a different technical mastery, tone color, mood, or to be “just plain fun.”  A beautifully meditative melody is presented in the beginning theme, variation IV is an ode to Andersen’s op. 15. Variation V has been described by Adrian Dee as “how many extended techniques can one variation explore while highlighting what the E-flat flute can do.” Variation VI is pure fun with 9/8 time in a 2+3+2+2 grouping. Variations VII is a Reel to be played in a controlled manner, awaiting it’s final return of playing with “reckless abandon” in the Coda.

“Playing in the Currents” Duet for E-flat Flutes by Adrian Dee
When I (Linda Bailey) commissioned “Playing in the Currents” I asked Adrian to consider the Oregon Coast, specifically Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, Oregon; imagining the first movement taking place at sunrise with fog surrounding the picturesque rock. Adrian has composed two beautiful movements depicting Seagulls and Dolphins. Adrian's music is so programmatic you can close your eyes and see the Seagulls soaring above Haystack Rock and see Dolphins playing in the distant ocean; as the Dolphins play and jump they also enjoy a few pranks and laugh accordingly.
According to Adrian: "Playing in the Currents" - for the first movement, I was picturing two seagulls drifting in the air together; sometimes in parallel and sometimes not. The second movement, "Dolphins", is just a fun splash, with an irregular beat.

Adrian Dee holds a BM in flute performance from the Univ. of Oregon. He plays with the Newport Symphony and other groups in Portland. He had the joy of premiering his own first flute concerto in December 2021.

While water sings, so must he  for solo E-flat flute  by Bonnie Cochran
World Premiere performed at OME 2026 Festival
Bonnie Cochran shares the following about her new work.
“Among all the mountain birds, none has cheered me so much in my lonely wanderings, none so unfailingly. For both in winter and summer he sings, sweetly, cheerily, independent alike of sunshine and of love, requiring no other inspiration than the stream on which he dwells. While water sings, so must he, in heat or cold, calm or storm, ever attuning his voice in sure accord”—John Muir, The Mountains of California
The Water Ouzel, better known as the American Dipper, is a songbird that lives among the rapids, streams and waterfalls in the Sierra Nevada and elsewhere. This bird captured the attention of naturalist John Muir, and I was struck by John Muir’s fascination with this little bird. He described the Water Ouzel as “a singularly joyous and lovable little fellow, about the size of a robin, clad in a plain waterproof suit of bluish gray, with a tinge of chocolate on the head and shoulders.”
I first learned of the Water Ouzel while doing research for a piece I was performing, when I came across a passage from The Mountains of California:
“The Ouzel never sings in chorus with other birds, nor with his kind, but only with the streams. And like flowers that bloom beneath the surface of the ground, some of our favorite's best song-blossoms never rise above the surface of the heavier music of the water.”
As an artist, I could relate to the Ouzel singing with all its heart, yet at times being drowned out by the noise of the world. And when thinking of the “song-blossoms” that are never heard, I couldn’t help but think of how many times I’ve heard students tell me that their song “sounded better at home” or how much beautiful music is played by musicians in the practice room that no one will ever hear. Yet, whether or not he is being heard the Ouzel continues to sing with all the joy and energy that he can.
The composition started with a transcription of recorded ouzel songs—which ended up in the piece as fragments that have been cut-up, combined and transformed.
While water sings, so must he was commissioned by flutist Linda Bailey, a champion of the E-flat flute, whose dedication to building a repertoire for this instrument and her joy and enthusiasm for the E-flat flute are contagious.

‍

Dr. Linda Bailey lives in Scottsdale, AZ. BM, Portland State Univ.; MM, Univ. of North TX.; DMA and theory certificate, Univ. of WA. She teaches & freelances in the greater Phoenix area; performs with DEFproject (Chamber, Fl.Choir & Com. Choir) & the NFA Professional Flute Choir (2013-2025). Dr. Bailey performs & commissions works for Eb flute, expanding the repertoire to highlight the virtuosic solo qualities of this delightful, quirky and pitchy instrument. Dr. Bailey and Ms. Steffen are excited to announce they have been accepted to perform Eb flute duets at the August 2026 National Flute Association convention in Portland, OR on the Thursday “Flutists from Oregon” concert.

Christina Steffen, E-flat Soprano Flute
Christina Steffen enjoys a diverse career as a musician and educator. She teaches flute at Mesa Community College and is the founder and Artistic Director of Desert Echoes Flute Project. She received her BM and MM in Flute Performance from the Univ. of AZ. http://azflute.com