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Flutist James Galway tries for Guinness World Record*

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As if Sir James Galway didn’t have enough titles and honors, the world-renowned flutist is now aiming for a new spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.

On Friday, Galway led a group of close to 2,000 flutists in what he hopes will break the record as the world’s largest flute ensemble. The event was part of the the National Flute Assn.’s 37th Annual Convention held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York.

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According to the NFA, the exact number to be submitted to Guinness will be 1,989 flutists, which is based on the number of registration forms collected for the event. The current world record stands at 1,975 flutists, set on July 14 in China.

Friday’s event featured musicians from the U.S., Europe and Australia being led by Galway as well as six other conductors -- John Bailey, Katherine Borst Jones, Paul Dunkel, Ervin Monroe, James Walker and Ransom Wilson.

Among the pieces performed was a specially commissioned medley called ‘Galway Fantasie,’ which combines several of the flutist’s favorite numbers, including ‘Danny Boy.’

You can watch a video of the event on Galway’s website.

-- David Ng

*Updated: an earlier verision of this story included the wrong link to the video.

Photo: Participants at Friday’s flute performance. Credit: Derek Jacoby

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