The Los Angeles Flute Orchestra (LAFO) is an 8 to 12 member professional ensemble comprised of Los Angeles based flutists. The LAFO was founded in 1999 by a group of flutists who wanted the chance to play great music on a regular basis.  Due to the limited number of flute positions in orchestras, the group created its own playing opportunities.  Over the last four years the group has grown to it’s current size of twelve members and has increasingly become more recognizable in the Los Angeles area, performing many local concerts and appearing at other events. 

The LAFO's style covers the full spectrum from baroque and classical to jazz, contemporary and ethnic genres.  What makes the LAFO special is its extremely versatile instrumentation.  The group features the entire flute family-Piccolo, C Flute, Alto and Bass Flutes, the unique Contra-Bass and F-Bass Flutes and various ethnic flutes.  The LAFO celebrated the arrival of a Double Contra-Bass Flute in 2005, making this group the only known flute choir in the USA to have such a rare and sonorous instrument!  As a result, the group achieves a highly resonant, dense and complex sound. 

Unprecedented sound capabilities coupled with the group's exceptional musicianship have attracted the interest of many composers and orchestrators from around the world who have contributed to the LAFO's exclusive repertoire.  The group is dedicated to the performance of original works, and continues to pursue one-of-a-kind dynamic pieces.

The LAFO has amassed a collection of seven new works composed specifically for our group by Ron Gorow, Christopher Caliendo, Peter Senchuk, Vinny Golia and Eddie Sobenes, for our brand new CD “The Stroke of Twelve”.   The CD was supported  (in part) through Subito, the quick advancement grant program of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Composers Forum.  Working one-on-one with the composers of these pieces has allowed the group to be part of the creative process, and has afforded composers access to unlimited compositional possibilities, and the unique opportunity to uncover the specific sound, dynamic, special effect and orchestration requirements necessary for conveying their music.  For the LAFO and our contributing composers collaboration has been key in producing music (and art) without compromise. We continue to develop and foster these types of creative working relationships with composers of chamber music. It is our anticipation that this recording of original compositions will reflect the beauty of our collaborations and will encourage many new ones, not only with composers, but with other multi-media artists as well.

Performance Resume

    Guest Artist at First Presbyterian Church, Santa Monica, CA - December 2007
    Featured Artist for David Avshalomov in Concert, World Premiere of "Sacred Winds",
       Santa Monica, CA - September 2007
    Guest Artist at First Presbyterian Church, Santa Monica, CA - December 2006
    Featured Artist at "Classical Music on the Pier", Santa Monica, CA - July 2006
    Featured Artist at South Coast Botanic Gardens Foundation Fundraiser Valentine's Day        Dinner & Concert, South Coast Botanic Gardens, Palos Verdes, CA - February 2006
    Featured Artist at AIDS/LifeCycle 5 Holiday Benefit Concert, Renberg Theatre,
       Hollywood, CA - December 2005
    “The Stroke of Twelve” CD Release Party, Westchester, CA – October 2005
    Christopher Caliendo Composer's Showcase concert at National Flute Association
       Annual Convention, Towne and Country Resort, San Diego, CA - August 2005
    Guest Artist at Pasadena Presbyterian Church Music at Noon series, Pasadena, CA –
       August 2005
    Musical Guest in “What's My Line?” Acme Theater, Hollywood, CA - June 2005
    Pacific Palisades Garden Tour, Pacific Palisades, CA - April 2005
    45th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration, Television Appearance, Dorothy
       Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles - December 2004
    Guest Artist at City of Baldwin Park Summer Concert Series, Baldwin Park, CA -   
       August 2004
    Guest Artist at EarJam IV new music festival, REDCAT Theater, Los Angeles –
       June 2004 (LA Weekly's “Pick of the Week” for June 17-24, 2004)
    Guest Artist at Trinity Lutheran Church, Manhattan Beach, CA - May 2004
    Guest Artist at First Thursdays monthly salon, Los Angeles - May 2004
    Guest Artist at Church of Religious Science Annual Christmas Concert, North
       Hollywood, CA - December 2003
    Guest Artist at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church, Canoga Park, CA, Artist
       Series Concerts - December 2003
    Guest Artist at Greater Los Angeles Flute Society Festival, October 2003
    Guest Artist concert at National Flute Association Annual Convention, Riviera
       Hotel, Las Vegas - August 2003
    43rd Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration, Television Appearance, Dorothy
       Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles - December 2002
    Guest Artist at Greater Los Angeles Flute Society Festival - October 2002
    Guest Artist at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church, Canoga Park, CA, Artist
       Series Concerts - September 2002
    Recording Artist credit on soundtrack of feature film, “Quicksand” - June 2002
    Guest Artist at Pasadena City College, Pasadena, CA - May 2002
    42nd Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los
       Angeles - December 2001
    Church of Religious Science Fundraiser, North Hollywood, CA - June 2001
    Pacific Palisades Garden Tour, Pacific Palisades, CA - April 2001
    Guest Artist at Cal State Fullerton for Cynthia Ellis' (Prof. of Flute at Cal State
       Fullerton) Christmas program - December 2000
    Sandpiper Charity Event, Manhattan Beach, CA - December 1999 and December 2000