Play It Forward – Diego Fernandez

Music that inspires one of All Classical Portland’s Youth Artist Ambassadors, Diego Fernandez.

Diego Fernandez, One of All Classical Portland's Youth Artist Ambassadors 2022.

Meet Flutist, Diego Fernandez, a senior at South Salem High School and one of All Classical Portland’s Youth Artist Ambassadors for 2022.
Recently we asked Diego what pieces of music have inspired him to become the musician he is today.
Here are a few of Diego’s selections.

Amy Beach, Gaelic Symphony

“My first ever Symphony that I had the honor to play with my friends in PYP. Full of the most beautiful lines and powerful melodies that bring so much courage and motivation to do something great!”


Penderecki Flute Concerto 

“A piece that I’ve had on the bucket list to play for so long now, an abstract take of a classical instrument. Penderecki did not write for the faint of heart on the player or performer and so it is always an interesting journey!”


Anthony Ritchie, Flute Concerto

“The first concerto I worked on with one of my amazing flute teachers, Dr. Sperling.  Music that takes you all the way to New Zealand, I had the honor to perform this piece as a soloist and it’s a highlight in my repertoire so far!”


Shostakovich,  symphony no. 5

“I love Shostakovich and his 5th symphony is one of his best in my opinion. Any of his Symphonies always has such an amazing and fun piccolo part to play so it’s always such a major joy to see that on my stand or just to listen to for fun.”


Joan Tower, Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman

“This beautiful piece is hands down one of the most powerful and meaningful works written. It’s counterpart, Fanfare for the Common Man, Uncommon Woman is inspired by and uses similar instrumentation. There are no real words to describe my admiration of this piece written by such a fantastic American women composer!”


About Diego

Diego Fernandez and his flute.

Diego Fernandez is a young flutist from Salem, OR, currently attending South Salem High School as a senior. He started playing the flute in 6th grade. In 2018, when he was in 8th grade, he began to study with Dr. Abigail Sperling from Linfield College. Diego won 2nd place in the 2018 Greater Portland Flute Society, 1st chair in the 2018 Salem Keizer’s All-City Honor Band, and was the District Winner in the 2021 Solo and Ensemble festival. In 2021 Diego also began to study with Martha Long from the Oregon Symphony. He currently serves as the Second flute and piccolo of the Portland Youth Philharmonic, and Principal Flute in both the South Salem Wind Ensemble and South Salem Symphony. He was a featured soloist with the Central Oregon Symphony, and placed 2nd in the GPFS Young Artist Competition in 2022.


Hear Diego’s Episode of On Deck with Young Musicians from April 30th, 2022.