Students participate in music at yearly Native American Flute Circle – The Daily Barometer

The Student Experience Center Plaza at Oregon State University will come alive this Wednesday as students from MUS 108 gather for their seventh annual Native American Flute Circle. This event, which has been a tradition since 2015 (with the exception of 2020-2021), marks the end of the class and is open to the public.

Led by Senior Instructor Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach, students past and present will join in a circle to play songs from the course, honoring the community and the university. Reibach, a Kalapuya Tribal Elder, has been instrumental in developing the curriculum for MUS 108, which focuses on cultural diversity and musical self-expression through the Native American flute.

With over 16,000 students instructed by Reibach as of 2022, the Native American Flute Circle at OSU holds the world record for the largest gathering of its kind. This year, the musicians will perform three songs, including a flute version of Elton John’s “Can You Feel The Love Tonight.”

Students like Alhana McMutt are excited to share this experience with family and friends, highlighting the sense of community and expression that the flute circle fosters. Reibach emphasizes the importance of coming together to honor the land, the people, and the university, creating a safe space for students to express their feelings with one heart.

The event not only celebrates cultural diversity but also showcases the unity of students from various backgrounds coming together to make music. Whether as a spectator or a participant, all are welcome to join in this celebration of music and community at Oregon State University.