Imagine you’re an aspiring flutist in the Windsor-Essex area, playing in your school band. One day your teacher offers you the opportunity to participate in a large flute choir with flutists from other schools and the University of Windsor.

Best of all, you are going to have the opportunity not only to attend masterclasses with world-renowned Canadian flutist, composer and conductor Robert Aitken, but to perform in a concert with him.

That’s just the opportunity about 50 area elementary, high school and University of Windsor School of Music flute players have jumped on. In addition to the large flute choir, a number of the players will play in a small flute ensemble.

Aitken is a member of the Order of Canada and France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. After serving as principal flute for both the Vancouver and Toronto symphony orchestras, he embarked on a solo career that his taken him around the world and produced more than 50 recordings. In 2009 he received Canada’s largest arts award, the $50,000 Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts.

The 50-flute choir has already begun rehearsal under the direction of UWindsor profesor Jonathan Bayley and will join Aitken in concert for Flute-Palooza on Tuesday, February 7, in Assumption University Chapel at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $15, student tickets just $5, available at the door, by phone at 519-253-3000, ext. 4212, or online at www.uwindsor.ca/music.

During his residency in Windsor, Aitken will perform with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, conduct masterclasses for flute students, and lead sessions with high school music teachers. Find a full schedule of his residency on the School of Music Web site.