Guinness World Records confirmed that Sir James Galway and the National Flute Association have officially broken the Guinness World Record™ for World's Largest Flute Ensemble. According to GuinnessWorldRecords.com, "The largest flute ensemble was achieved by 1,989 participants in an event organized by The National Flute Association and Sir James Galway at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, New York, on 14 August 2009." The event surpasses the previous record of 1,975 flutists set on July 14, 2009, in China.

 

The event was part of the National Flute Association's 2009 Convention, at which Sir James Galway was honored with the NFA's Lifetime Achievement Award. Sir James Galway led the massive ensemble, which performed Galway Fantasie, commissioned by Sir James for the event from David Overton. In addition to Sir James, the group was led by 6 conductors, including John Bailey, Katherine Borst Jones, Paul Dunkel, Ervin Monroe, James Walker and Ransom Wilson, with the music displayed on plasma screens throughout the room.

From a "Musical America" article.