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| 2026 Concord Band Flute Section (l. to r.): Chris Mudgett, Elizabeth Pearson, Katie Hock, Kristen Bankuti, Roberta Nicoletta. Not pictured: Ellen Feldman, Laura Finkelstein, Debra Franks. |
The Concord Band comprises many talented and accomplished musicians. This article continues an occasional series presenting an in-depth profile of each instrumental section. In this installment we introduce the distinguished members of our flute section.
Profiles
Kristen Bankuti is originally from Sudbury and now resides in Maynard. She attended Concordia College in Moorhead MN and graduated with a degree in music performance and business administration. She received a master’s degree from Northeastern University and works as a speech and language pathologist. In addition to the Concord Band, Kris also leads a flute ensemble.
Ellen Feldman grew up in Philadelphia, where her principal flute teacher was John Krell, piccolo player in the Philadelphia Orchestra. She attended Barnard College, majoring in music history and music theory. She earned a PhD in cinema studies at New York University. Ellen moved to Cambridge and became a course developer for Prime Computer and Avid Technology. A member of the Concord Band since 1988, she also plays in a flute choir. Her interests include street photography and the French language.
Laura Finkelstein was raised outside of New York City and attended Binghamton University, earning a degree in linguistics. She served the Band for many years as a publicist, learned about history of music from records at the public library, and went on to work for WGBH, including directing live studio performances, and coordinating summer weeks from Tanglewood.
Debra Franks grew up in central Arkansas and resides in Bedford MA. Inspired by her older brother, who was a clarinetist and drum major, she joined a band in sixth grade after four years of music training on the piano. She pursued her musical passion by earning a bachelor’s degree in music education. Professionally, she is a CPA with an MBA from University of Arkansas and a master’s degree in accounting and finance from Bentley University, and heads her own accounting firm. Her lifelong dedication to the flute is supported by many years of performing and private study that continue today.
Katie Hock. Originally from Suffern NY, Katie currently lives in Worcester. She attended Nazareth College, where she played flute and piccolo in wind ensemble and symphony orchestra, and earned a bachelor’s degree in music therapy and flute performance, with a minor in music history. She then earned a master's degree in music therapy and mental health counseling from Lesley University. She works as a pediatric music therapist, where she also sings and plays piano, guitar, and ukulele.
Chris Mudgett, a resident of Bolton MA, attended Bedford High School, earned a bachelor’s in theater arts from UMass Amherst, then independently studied computer science, leading to a 35-year career as a software engineer and program manager. She has been involved with the Rotary club for five years including one year as president. She has been a member of Concord Band since the mid-70s, including serving as Board president. Her musical activities include a flute choir, singing in a cover band that performed at high school reunions, and an acoustic trio that regularly performed at Tewksbury Hospital’s Huntington’s ward.
Roberta Nicoletta was raised in Bedford MA. She studied flute with James Papoutsakis and Phillip Kaplan and earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Boston University. Roberta taught music at elementary through high school levels in the Manchester Public Schools, as well as North Shore Community College. She moved with her husband to Cormano, Italy, for five years, where she taught English and gave private flute lessons. Returning to the States, she raised her sons in Chelmsford, worked at Concord Academy and then Concord-Carlisle HIgh School. She is also active in local music ensembles.
Elizabeth Pearson is a native of the Bay State now residing in Hudson. She graduated from Gordon College with degrees in psychology and music, and earned a masters degree and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Boston University. She worked as a psychotherapist in the community, clinical director for a group of mental health clinics, and currently is in private practice.
Interviews
How did you start playing your instrument?
Kris—The first instrument I learned was the clarinet, then I switched to flute because it was easier to play duets with friends who played flute and violin—no transposing was needed.
Ellen—I heard William Kincaid play in the Philadelphia Orchestra and I was hooked! At first, I had to take two years of piano lessons. After that, I started studying the flute.
Laura—I grew up outside New York City learning some folk guitar and piano, played flute a little bit in high school, then went to school in upstate NY. I didn't purchase a professional instrument or take lessons until I moved to the Boston area.
Chris—In fourth grade our music teacher, Bill Toland, showed us various band instruments. I told my parents I wanted to play the flute. My flute lessons began with two other girls, with Bill as our teacher. He also taught band, which I joined as soon as I could play a little. By high school I had a private flute teacher. Bill Toand, who was also conductor of the Concord Band from 1962–1995, invited me to join. It was a tremendous privilege to have had him in my life for so many years, as a music teacher and later a music colleague.
Roberta—I chose playing the flute in the fifth grade in the Bedford Public Schools, because I was intrigued by its singing sound and enormous range. During high school my band director was the one and only Bill Toland, who instilled in me the inspiration to study Music Education at Boston University.
Elizabeth—I was fortunate enough to grow up in a family where music was a priority. My parents and aunt were accomplished musicians who performed extensively and supported community endeavors. It was just what we did.
What inspires you and keeps you interested in music performance?
Kris—I have performed in concert bands and small ensembles all throughout my school years and into my adult life. Although I chose a career as a speech-language pathologist, I still enjoy making music with others.
Ellen—I still love playing the flute, and especially playing music that’s very exciting, adventurous, and it might be very modern.
Laura—Everything started with The Concord Band. For some reason I always wanted to play piccolo; asked Bill Toland if he'd let me try it out; he said 'sure', to rent a piccolo from a music store. After about three months of work on my own I was pretty competent, and LOVED it!
Chris—At some gut level I just want to play music, or listen to it. Playing in front of people makes me want to improve, which inspires me to practice and perform more. I love playing all types of music and love that the Concord Band plays such a wide variety of music. I’m inspired by playing with other musicians and by listening to lots of music, both live and recorded.
Roberta—For me, listening to live performances of jazz, classical, R&B, wind ensemble, opera, indigenous and chamber music is inspirational and critical to my own playing. Even with our extensive home collection of LPs and CDs, nothing is more key to me than hearing musicians perform live, no matter the genre or instrument; flautists, however, are first on my list!
Elizabeth—Following graduate school, I was given the opportunity to play in a symphony orchestra as well as a regimental band. These groups fostered love for service to the community and were gateways to playing in churches, school and private functions over the years.
Please share an anecdote about the Concord Band.
Ellen—I have made many friends in the band, among them were June and Buck Grace. When we were both serving on the board, she would often invite me for dinner before the board met in her living room. How kind they were!
Laura—Almost everyone with whom I played music I met initially from The Concord Band. In time I was invited to play with orchestras, woodwind ensembles, flute choirs, and organists. I became an orchestra librarian, went to summer music camps, learned how to write feature articles for publicity..
Chris—Two memorable concert performance mishaps turned out extremely well. We had a tuba guest soloist who started playing… and nothing happened! We all froze in place, then he calmly said to the audience “you know folks, when you push the valve down it’s supposed to come back up” as he was unscrewing a valve and reassembling it on stage. The audience laughed, we exhaled in relief and went on to play the piece without a hitch. Another time, we were playing a new composition with the composer in the audience.Somewhere in the middle we got completely off and somehow miraculously managed to get it back together pretty quickly. The audience probably didn’t notice it. I spoke with the composer afterward and he actually gave us kudos for getting ourselves out of the mess. I don’t know how we did it but it was really fabulous to have an experience like that.
Roberta—During a college break, Bill Toland invited me along with some Bedford High alumni to meet composer Norman Dello Joio while the Concord Band rehearsed Satiric Dances for its premiere. I was in awe of Mr Dello Joio and how gracious he was with his time while he spoke about his composition and why he became a composer. It was an indelible moment in my life. Years later I found myself performing Satiric Dances, now a famous piece of band literature, with the Concord Band.
Elizabeth—Something I love about the Band is the level of professionalism, commitment, and camaraderie. Many of the ensemble, like me, a psychotherapist, have other skilled careers and yet remain passionate and dedicated to their craft. Most importantly, however, has been the friendships and mentorships developed during my tenure with the Band.
What motivates you going forward?
Kris—The friendships I have made with other band members and the process of working together to prepare music for upcoming concerts keeps me coming back for more every week.
Ellen—I’m looking forward to the March concert because I am a total fan of musicals!
Laura—The best part has been the camaraderie among the players!
Chris—It never gets old! I like playing all the classics as well as new pieces. I enjoy doing challenging pieces that require lots of practice as well as easier ones that come together quickly. I also love seeing younger players join the group and bring new ideas to keep the concert band world vibrant.
Roberta—I'm excited about performing the “Movie Night” music for our March concert. I'm also really looking forward to the true challenge of playing alto flute with the MET Flute Orchestra at the Groton Hill Music Center this July—always a highlight of my summer!
