Native American music organization to release CD

Student members of the Tri-State Native American Flute Circle are releasing a CD and having a 50/50 drawing Saturday to promote the group on campus.

Co-founders of the group Emily Crabtree, junior music performance major, and Heather Stewart, sophomore psychology major, recorded tracks featuring the Native American flute for a CD entitled, “Perception.”

“The music is calming, respectable and professional,” Crabtree said. “The CD is great to listen to while relaxing after a hard day of classes or studying.”

Crabtree said the CD is composed of modernized Native American-style songs as well as traditional tunes.

The CD, which costs $5 and is available through contacting a member of the group, is one way to raise money for musical supplies and workshops, Crabtree said.

Stewart said the organization is trying different methods to raise money in order to raise participation in the group. One method is a 50/50 drawing in which the winner receives half of the money collected.

“(The drawing) was to get people to buy tickets as an incentive to win money,” Stewart said. “We thought giving students an incentive could raise interest.”

Crabtree said the drawing will occur Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. during the group’s monthly meeting and tickets are $1 a piece or $5 for six.

Crabtree said she hopes the chance to win money and to hear the flutes being played will encourage participation in students.

“It would be a positive way for students to help fund and support music, history and the community,” Crabtree said. “Plus, if your number or name was drawn you would win money, and who wouldn’t take a chance in order to enjoy that?”

The meeting Saturday also provides an opportunity to learn about the Flute Circle and the instruments involved, Crabtree said.

“It’ll be a great time for students to come out and learn the history of the Native American flutes and hear the flutes being played in demonstrations by our flute circle members,” Crabtree said.

Although participation in the group does not require the ability to play the instruments, the flutes are not difficult to learn, Stewart said.

“I started playing the instrument in February, and if you have any music background, it really isn’t very hard to learn,” Stewart said.

Crabtree said the organization also focuses on other Native American instruments such as drums, rattles and traditional vocalizations.

“Tri-State Native American Flute Circle gives all students and as well as interested community members the opportunity to learn the beauty, simplicity, and heritage of the Native American flute among other historical and world instruments,” Crabtree said.

Crabtree said the group has offered demonstrations to help teach the instruments to people and has performed locally and for Gov. Joe Manchin.

Stewart said although the group has not had any official solo performances, they hope to begin performing more often.

“Usually we perform with other flute players, and during break on Wednesday we hope to perform at the open mic at Java Joint,” Stewart said.

The money from the CDs and the drawing will provide money for more workshops, educational equipment and International Native American Flute Association membership, Crabtree said.

Stewart said she hopes the events Saturday will ignite interest in those who have not considered joining yet.

“People seem interested, but may be intimidated by learning a new instrument. It’s not too hard, so people shouldn’t be afraid to try,” Stewart said.

The group meets at noon the third Saturday of each month in Smith Music Hall Room 123.

Erin Shaver can be contacted at Shaver29@marshall.edu.