This afternoon, soothing flute music will help the transition from hectic school life to a period of rest and Thanksgiving.

Megan Anderson will give her senior student recital today at 3:10 p.m. in Bryan Hall Theatre.

Anderson said she has been preparing for her senior recital since January, learning full pieces of new music.

“A lot of the focus has been on learning (new music), but also on just the slow technical practice that it takes to have a piece really solidified,” Anderson said.

Anderson will play a Vivaldi sonata, “Three Romances” by Robert Schumann, and two movements of the Hindemith flute sonata.

“I love all three of these pieces, they are very beautiful and allow me to put my own style in them,” Anderson said. “I really love the third movement of the Vivaldi sonata because it’s slow, sweet, and in a great register of the flute.”

The fourth movement of the Hindemith sonata, which Anderson said has been the most challenging, involves intricate rhythms, phrasing and fingering.

Originally from Bremerton, Anderson spent her first semester of college at Arizona State University. But it wasn’t long before she realized the experience was not for her, and her thoughts turned toward WSU.

“This school always held a place in my heart,” Anderson said. “My mother went to school here … and my uncle played football here from 1988-1992. My family is big Coug fans.”

Anderson said her family also fostered her love of music, especially her grandmother who bought her first instrument, a piano, which inspired her to start piano lessons at a young age.

“When I started playing the flute, I loved it,” Anderson said. “I kept on loving music, and when I went to college, I was not in a band besides marching band at ASU. I hated it.”

Anderson returned to her home state, began her college life fresh at WSU and chose to peruse music education.

“I knew that music was my calling,” Anderson said. “It is the only profession that I have ever loved. “

Clocking in at 35 minutes of music, Anderson said her recital is the perfect way for everyone to begin Thanksgiving break. Anderson encouraged students and community members to come and enjoy the fruits of her labor.

“This performance signifies everything that I have spent the last 11 years building towards,” Anderson said. “It is going to be a great program with music ranging from the Baroque period to the Hindemith. If you’re still in town and need something interesting to do at 3:10 p.m., come to Bryan to hear some great flute music.”

This event is free and open to the public.

Reporting by Katherine Lipp