Flute player Mikylo Odut has earned regional and national honours for his musical skill.
Odut passed his Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) exam last summer, earning first class honours with distinction for his performance. The Hapnot Collegiate student also received a gold medal from the RCM for earning the highest grade in his region.
“Gold Medals are awarded each academic year to exam candidates who have obtained the highest mark for their level, discipline and region while meeting all the necessary requirements,” read an email Odut received from the RCM.
Odut was impressed but befuddled when he first heard about the medal honour.
“First, I was confused – I didn’t even know they existed,” he said. “After that, it was pretty exciting. Getting best in the province in something is pretty unbelievable.”
Odut selected three songs for his exam, including Bach’s “Sonata in E Major,” Franz Doppler’s “Fantaisie Pastoral Hongroise” and Rivier’s “Oiseaux Tendres.”
“That one means tender birds, but I always call it chicken fingers,” joked Odut.
Odut began playing the flute in Grade 7, after initially being assigned the euphonium – a small, tuba-like instrument – when he began in the École McIsaac School band. After a few weeks, Odut wanted to switch instruments.
“I felt bad because there was only one girl playing the flute in our band class. So I said, ‘well, if I play the flute, maybe she won’t be lonely anymore,” he said.
“One day, I just brought home the flute and my mom had no idea. She didn’t say she didn’t like it but she said it wasn’t her favourite instrument. I think she likes it now,” said Odut.
Odut currently teaches piano lessons, plays piano at the First United Lutheran Church and plays the trombone in Hapnot’s jazz band. He hopes to go to university to study music further.
“I’m trying to shoot big here – my first choice is McGill,” he said.
In the meantime, Odut has played a series of small solo performances around Flin Flon in the past few years, including a string of sold-out shows at his home during the holidays last year. Odut will be holding another intimate series of Christmas-themed shows this year, accompanied by Courtney Campbell and Kim Jones, his school band teacher.
“It’s just one-on-one and you really get to know the person, then it’s more fun. We make jokes all the time. I don’t like it to be boring. I like to keep things fun and upbeat,” he said.
