In a global culture of homogenized arts marketing, in an industry where companies have access to technical sophistication of all kinds, the workshop of Emanuel Flutes is an icon of traditional craft. Before the day comes, and it will, when it’s impossible to remember what comprises a concert flute of the highest quality, Emanuel’s instruments help us remember.

A professional flutist needs a flute that performs on cue and on tour, for months at a time. One that’s reliable throughout a season of frequent travel and weekly, if not daily, performances. Emanuel Flutes have proven their reliability, and are played around the world by busy professionals, musicians whose demanding schedules leave no room for imperfect craftsmanship.

Emanuel’s hand-made instruments are built of materials that through the decades will sustain their beauty, strength, and precision -- and that enhance the character of the Emanuel Flute sound. Tubes are made of alloys of silver and gold that have been tried and tested. Keywork is sterling silver or 14-karat gold, silver-soldered throughout (no lead solder.) Stainless steel rods. Traditional pads made of pressed felt and bladder skin; they just sound better on this flute made with these tolerances. And so on. Each material choice is made consciously, because it works in the hands of the flutemaker, to create the distinctive Emanuel sound.

Over a period of years, Emanuel purchased, adapted, and assembled the equipment used in his shop. The graceful forms of ribs, posts, tone holes, cups, and embouchure plates -- to name a few of the 200 or so parts of a flute – he shaped into hardened steel cutting tools, punches and dies. He created master designs for his keywork in wax -- then in brass – and produced dozens of rubber molds for use in the lost wax process of casting. Using hand, eye, and machine in creatively-applied, traditional flute-making techniques, Emanuel builds the flute that bears his name to precise, repeatable standards. Click here to read a bio of the flutemaker.

Flutes are available with your choice of modern scales designed by William Bennett or Albert Cooper, and reproduced in collaboration with William Bennett and Susan Milan, respectively. Emanuel head joints are integral acoustic partners to these scales, and the flutemaker will recommend a head joint style to complement the flute body.

You can try flutes at the workshop and at the US National Flute Association’s annual convention in August. Call the workshop for up-to-date news on where Emanuel Flutes and head joints are being exhibited.