Now under the direction of world-renowned flute player and conductor Veronica Mascaro, the ensemble has grown to more than 35 players since its founding in 1997 with just eight members. Most members are nonprofessional musicians, who are accomplished in wide-ranging professions, including education, business, health care and more.

 

Janice Spooner, Cheryl Stewart and Kathleen Holley founded the ensemble and provided an opportunity for hundreds of flute players of all skill levels to grow in their abilities, play a variety of music and share their love of music with the community.  

 

Flutissimo’s most recent commissioned work “Cotten’s Country,” was arranged by Christopher Tucker, and was performed at the 2024 National Flute Association convention in San Antonio. Recent concerts have included a joint collaboration with the Irving Chorale, a performance at the Santa Fe TGIF Concert Series, and another at the 27th annual community ecumenical service at the Marty Leonard Chapel in Fort Worth. Other concert venues range each year from concert halls, church sanctuaries, community festivals, libraries and retirement homes. Flutissimo! was invited to perform at the Myrna Brown Competition Reception at the 2025 Texas Flute Society convention, and frequently was awarded the title of Outstanding Amateur Ensemble.

 

During its almost 30 years, Flutissimo! has performed countless challenging compositions, earning many accolades from composers and audiences. Other commissioned works include Chris Potter’s “Tres Ratoncitos Ciegos,” a version of “Three Blind Mice,” and works by Scottish composer Alex Abbott. Former conductors include renowned local musicians and directors George Virgili, Mark Chandler, Tom Connely, Marco Jerez and Felix Torres.

 

The 30th Year Anniversary will be celebrated in 2027 with new commissioned works, and special concerts with a year-long theme:
Past, Present and Future.