LEWISTON — Robert Dick’s contributions to the development of the flute and its music are profound. Soloist, composer, teacher, author and inventor, Dick has performed his music worldwide.

On Thursday, March 11, he will give a free lecture/demonstration at 2:40 p.m. in Olin Arts Center, Room 105, at Bates College. Call 786-6135 or visit [email protected].

On Friday, March 12, he will give a solo concert, featuring original compositions, at 8 p.m. in Corthell Concert Hall on the University of Southern Maine Gorham campus. Tickets are $15, $10 for seniors and students. Call 780-5555 for reservations.
From 2 to 4:30 p.m. that same afternoon, Dick will give a master class with USM flute performance majors playing his works. There may be opportunity for flutists in the audience to participate. Cost: $5 to observe.

A world-renowned composer and improvisational musician, Dick has written and performed music in every genre from jazz and free improvisation to contemporary classical, blues, Indian and electronic. He has more than 20 CDs of original solo and chamber works and collaborations.

His performances typically include flute (with his invention, the Glissando Headjoint®, a custom flute headjoint that enables flutists to achieve electric guitar-like whammy bar effects) piccolo, alto flute and bass flutes in C and F.

“You can expect anything from Robert — lyrical, atonal, jazz, pop — challenging music for some people, but certain to entertain everyone,” said Jean Rosenblum, USM flute instructor. “He plays unaccompanied and has figured out how to make sounds on the flute which you could have never conceived of, and has put them all together into compositions which will make you smile, or befuddle you, or deliver you to another world. He will surely stir your emotions.”

Dick lives in New York City and is on the faculty of New York University.