International World Flute Master and Cultural Storyteller to Perform at the Washington State History Museum

Submitted by Washington State History Museum

The Washington State History Museum welcomes Gary Stroutsos, international world flute master and cultural storyteller, for a family concert titled “Voices of Musical Cultures” on April 27.

Stroutsos brings alive time honored stories and songs, with beautiful images and audience participation, to better understand and preserve the music of the American Indian. In addition to traditional flutes, Stroutsos will play clay bird calls and wind whistles, based on flute designs dating back 2000 years, which the audience can see up close following the concert.

Stroutsos will be joined by world percussionist David Revelli who plays instruments made from earth’s materials including clay pots, wood rattles and gourds.

Stroutsos, an international recording artist, has devoted years to learning about the musical traditions of the American Indian flute from his direct association with generous native musicians and cultural educators, including the peoples of the upper Missouri in advance of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, and the Zuni people of the southwest. It is an honor for Stroutsos to perform sacred songs and stories in a welcoming and respectful manner.

“In his lifetime, Gary has played music from many cultures. His integrity, humanity and humor have opened doors into personal and private worlds. The gift of songs and relationships with people from around the world has enriched Gary’s life. These are gifts that Gary honors and remembers,” says Julie Cajune, Salish Montana educator.

This concert will focus on songs from the Zuni Pueblo, the Mandan Hidatsa, Canyon de Chelly and introduce Southwest desert rim flutes, replicated from original flutes discovered in 1931 in the Prayer Rock District of Northern Arizona. Every song has a story; musician and cultural storyteller Gary Stroutsos will bring the audience into the world of traditional native music from across the country.

Stroutsos was part of the Ken Burns PBS film Lewis and Clark: Journey of the Corps of Discovery, which led to a command performance at the White House for President Clinton. For more information about this program and others, click here. To learn more about Gary Stroutsos, visit his website here.