Annual Convention

The National Flute Association Convention

Each August, thousands of flutists gather at the annual NFA Convention for four days of performances, masterclasses, competitions, and workshops. The convention welcomes flutists of all kinds - professionals, amateurs, students, and everyone in between - to learn, listen, grow, and bond over their shared love of the flute. In between events, guests can wander the lively exhibit hall to shop for instruments, music, and accessories from their favorite vendors, or step outside to enjoy all that the host city has to offer.

Upcoming Convention Info

When: August 5-8, 2027

Where: Minneapolis Convention Center (1301 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404)

Hotels: Discounted hotel rooms will be available at the Hilton Minneapolis and the Sheraton Minneapolis Downtown Convention Center. Booking will be available in January 2027.

Theme: Cultivate ◆ Create ◆ Celebrate

Program Team: Zara Lawler (Program Chair) and Meret Bitticks (Assistant Program Chair)

Competitions: Competition repertoire is available here (pdf). Detailed guidelines will be published here by December 1, 2026. The general competition deadline is February 15, 2027.

Exhibitors: The NFA invites businesses from all industries to join us in our Exhibit Hall. More information will be available soon.

Sponsorships: Interested in supporting the 2027 Annual Convention? Explore sponsorship opportunities and discover the benefits for your company here.

Important Dates & Deadlines:

October 1, 2027: Convention Proposal Deadline
November 15, 2027: Flute Ensemble Festival Proposal Deadline
January 2027: Advance (Online) Registration Opens
February 15, 2027: Competition Deadline
March 2027: Registration Scholarship Applications Open

Who can attend the NFA convention?

The NFA convention is for anyone with an interest in the flute. We offer activities for amateurs, professionals, students, teachers, composers, industry professionals, and everyone in between. Attendees are required to become a member of the NFA before they register and must be a member for the duration of the convention.

Who performs at the convention?

Convention performers are chosen through an open proposals process. NFA members who wish to perform or present may submit a proposal, which will be reviewed by the programming committee. We are now accepting 2027 convention proposals (submission deadline: October 1, 2026).

Flute choirs who wish to perform are invited to apply for the Flute Ensemble Festival. This is a separate application from the proposal process, and we expect to open the application process in early October with a deadline of November 17 (11:59pm Central Time).

We also have open participatory flute choirs that rehearse and perform at the convention. Anyone may sign up for these choirs, but know that they fill quickly each year. The deadline for sign-up will be July 15, 2026. Early registration is strongly encouraged for anyone wishing to sign up.

There are plenty of other chances to play during the convention; from group warm-ups, open masterclasses, participatory workshops, and the traditional closing mass performance of the Bach Air. You’ll definitely want to bring your flute!

Can you break down what a day at the convention looks like?

Each convention day is full of activities from roughly 8am-10pm. Check out the 2026 Convention's Program Book for a schedule of activities from the most recent convention. A typical day will include…

Recitals, lectures, panels, warm-ups, and workshops on a variety of topics presented by NFA members.
Lobby concerts featuring flute ensembles participating in the Flute Ensemble Festival.
The Exhibit Hall, a "one-stop shop" for all things flute, featuring exhibiting companies with a wide variety of flutes, music, accessories, and other related products. This is a rare opportunity to try instruments from different vendors side-by-side under one roof!
Opportunities to connect with fellow attendees through receptions, meet-ups, affinity groups, and other social events.
Each evening, convention attendees gather together for show stopping "gala concerts" featuring flutists from around the world. The Saturday evening Concerto Concert, featuring soloists with a full orchestra, is not to be missed! Admission to all evening concerts is included in your convention registration.