We Talked To A Concert-Level Flutist About That American Pie Scene

Everyone knows the scene with Alyson Hannigan in the first American Pie film. We can hear the conversation in our heads and see Jason Bigg’s shocked but also some-what intrigued reaction to her famous line. And we can almost smell the rich, visual portrait put forward by Alyson Hannigan.

Well, in order to properly put this scene in context, we spoke to Stephanie Gunderson, a concert level flutist currently with the New York Philharmonic.

DANIEL STEPHENS, Editor:

Why don’t you start by providing our readers with your background?

STEPHANIE GUNDERSON, Concert Flutish:

Yes, my name is Stephanie Gunderson and I am the current Principal Flute in the Lila Acheson Wallace Choir of the New York Philharmonic. Before that, I was an adjunct professor of Music at the University of New York and was a Second Chair Flute with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

DANIEL STEPHENS, Editor:

So you are a Flute?

STEPHANIE GUNDERSON, Concert Flutish:

Yes, I suppose so. Haha. That’s just how we refer to ourselves. A little bit of inside baseball.

*Editor’s note: Stephanie is one of those people who say “haha” out loud instead of audibly laughing.

DANIEL STEPHENS, Editor:

And have you seen the movie American Pie?

STEPHANIE GUNDERSON, Concert Flutish:

Is that what this interview is about? Jesus. Listen, it was a fine movie and I don’t begrudge it but I can’t really add anything. And I’ve got other things I’d rather be doing right now.

DANIEL STEPHENS, Editor:

No, no, don’t leave. There are plenty of other things my readers would love to hear about in regards to the world of concert flute playing. Is it unusual for a woman to be the principal flute?

STEPHANIE GUNDERSON, Concert Flutish:

Actually, yes. I am not the youngest person to hold this position but I am the first woman to hold this chair.

DANIEL STEPHENS, Editor:

Really, sexism in the flute world?

STEPHANIE GUNDERSON, Concert Flutish:

Oh, absolutely. The concert music world is not like any other field nowadays. Everyone talks a big game about representation for women and people of color and LGBTQ. But what they mean is representation at the third or fourth chair level where they can be seen but not seen that well. And in the principal role, we have a mustachioed white man who won’t upset anyone. A sea of color positioned directly behind a white man.

DANIEL STEPHENS, Editor:

Fascinating. So what do you do for fun, outside of work and music?

STEPHANIE GUNDERSON, Concert Flutish:

Uh, well, I try to be well-rounded and not just be consumed by my music. I used to be pretty plugged into the Boston punk scene when I was younger.

DANIEL STEPHENS, Editor:

That’s also music.

STEPHANIE GUNDERSON, Concert Flutish:

Yeah, I guess it is. Haha. Well, what with quarantine, I’ve been watching a lot of TV.

DANIEL STEPHENS, Editor:

Really, what you been watching?

STEPHANIE GUNDERSON, Concert Flutish:

I’m working my way through Gilmore Girls right now. It’s a great comfort watch.

DANIEL STEPHENS, Editor:

That’s a funny show. What do you think of Eugene Levy?

STEPHANIE GUNDERSON, Concert Flutish:

He’s great on Schitt’s Creek.

DANIEL STEPHENS, Editor:

You know, Eugene Levy was in American Pie.

STEPHANIE GUNDERSON, Concert Flutish:

Yeah, I suppose he was.

DANIEL STEPHENS, Editor:

Have you ever put a flute in your pussy?

Unfortunately at this stage of the interview, Ms. Gunderson had to terminate the zoom call so she could prepare for an upcoming performance. But I hope you all enjoyed the little window she provided into the world of concert music and what happened, that one time at band-camp.