Peter Churcher-Willow Creek woodcraft
The Encounter
It's not often I meet a flute maker in person because the flutes often don't come from the Netherlands. But in 2025, I had the opportunity to go to the Native Rhythms Festival in Melbourne, America, where I met Peter and his wife. They showed him how I'd fitted the Corian flute with lights so it would shine in the dark, just like during the performance at the N8 v/d N8 and Glinstertocht. I really enjoyed meeting him and seeing the beautiful flutes he's made.
Corian
is a versatile material used for various applications in kitchens, bathrooms, and creative designs. Corian was developed 30 years ago by Dupont for industrial use. Due to the great interest from interior designers and architects, Corian has become an indispensable part of contemporary interior design.
You might think, "Nice," but what does that have to do with flutes?
For Peter Churcher, it certainly does. He started making wooden flutes in 2008, but when he wanted to quit in 2010, he stumbled upon this material and spent over 10 years crafting them.
From scrap materials that would otherwise have ended up in a landfill, he selected the finest pieces and transformed them into flutes. His flutes have been shipped all over the world. They are no longer produced. These days, he makes Fusion flutes, a combination of wood and epoxy resin. I have two of these, and they're also very beautiful when illuminated.
2020 Nr. 044 Fm
The material is not affected as much by temperature differences, so it is ideally suited to take with you on a walk.
2022-Nr. 72 E-minor
Burl wood
This flute is made with burl wood and epoxy resin, because these flutes are partly transparent, they are very beautiful with lighting, such as during a performance by the night of the night lineaNieuwe alinea
Epoxy
Epoxy is an exceptionally hard and tough chemical synthetic resin that consists of 2 components, you mix these 2 components with each other in the right proportion to allow the liquids to harden. It has superior properties in terms of adhesion and resistance to chemicals, water, etc. Epoxy resin is created from a chemical reaction between the 2 components. The chemical reaction that occurs is exothermic, which means that heat is generated during curing. Epoxy is the result of the cross-linking between the molecules of the resin and the hardener. Our epoxy has little or no smell. Cured epoxy is safe for humans, animals and plants. Source mrboot.nl
The flute was delivered in a beautiful flute cover and is beautiful to see and has a beautiful sound. The flute is fairly heavy due to the type of wood. The totem is a work of art in itself.
Brown Mallee
The wood you mention is highly regarded, but generally not large enough for use as cabinetry or other standard lumber uses. Usually just small chunks of burl. It doesn't grow in our region (the north) and mostly in the south-east of Australia. It's hard and heavy and can be polished to a very fine finish. Drying can be difficult. Never leave it in the sun, near a fire or other heat source as it may check (crack). Normal room temperature or even the cold is OK.
It's a relatively short tree compared to other eucalyptus that grow in that area, but highly prized for it's grain and colors.
Thanks to Wade for the dicription.
2022 Nr. 073 G-minor
Panorama Walcheren
27-12-2022 Performance in museum Panorama Walcheren.
Again these flutes are used here.
I thought the light in the flutes suited the performance in a Christmas atmosphere. It was pleasantly busy and there was also an a cappella choir. There were a number of heaters to warm up the room. There was also hot chocolate and mulled wine, coffee or tea. It was very nice to play in the church again with the beautiful echo. Had quite missed it since it closed.
More music played in this church you can find here