Instrumentation
The following instruments, listed by descending range, can be included in a flute choir:
- Piccolo (octave above the concert flute)
- Concert Flute
- Alto Flute (a fourth below the concert flute)
- Bass Flute (octave below the concert flute)
- Contra-alto Flute (octave below the alto flute)
- Contrabass Flute (octave below the bass flute)
Other options that exist are Eb flute (a minor third higher than the concert flute) and the Bb flute (sounding a major second lower than the concert flute).
The most common instrumentation for a "standard" flute choir can be seen in much of the literature:
- Piccolo
- 3-4 Concert Flute
- Alto Flute
- Bass Flute
As some groups do not have access to the larger flutes, some alterations are usually provided. Alto flute parts are usually accompanied by a transposed part for the concert flute (usually including certain octave changes because of the extended range of the alto). The sheer cost and limited availability of contra-alto and contrabass flutes usually prevent most community-based flute choirs from performing these works. However, many flute choirs use the lower voices of the string section (cello, double bass) to cover these lower parts.
Read more about this topic: Flute Choir