There are MANY recordings of this piece out there. Nearly everyone has done it at some point, so don't panic. I highly recommend finding several recordings to listen to for starters. Also, look it up on the internet. You will find the story of the piece fairly easily. Keep in mind that most scholars consider this to be a 20th century piece even though it was actually written before the turn of the century. This may give you some clues as to the style. As I tell my students, I could tell you everything I know about the piece, but that would take the fun out of it for you! Look it up, learn about it, then play it as you feel it should be played.
As for the judges, you can't worry about whether or not they will like your interpretation. They are only human and not everyone is going to have the same opinion. All you can do is be true to your playing and what you interpret from the page of music. Obviously, your band director thinks you can handle it. Ask him/her for technical advise. Listening to others does help greatly here as well.
Rubato is a gentle push and pull within the music. I believe the technical definition is taking part of one beat and giving it to another. The overall tempo remains the same, but within that tempo you push a little here and stretch a little there. It adds flexibility and expressiveness to a piece. Fluttiegirl is quite right on all her points, though.
Out of curiosity, does everyone have to play the same piece at your audition? You mentioned in another thread working to select the pieces that you will play -- when I was in school, our band conductor selected the audition material. I never selected my own audition material until college.
Desperately Seeking Powell Flute #9777.
If you have ANY information on its whereabouts, please PM me!
My guess is that Syrinx will show whether or not you've developed a certain technique that the conductor wants to see how you, individually, are progressing on -- as I haven't played Syrinx in the past, I can't help you figure out what that might be.
This isn't necessarily something to worry about. When I was in the 9th grade, my band director called a staffer at the music camp I attended the previous summer. At first, I was scared that he thought I'd regressed over the summer -- I was literally sweating bullets about the coming band auditions. Turns out, he was just checking to make sure I was as good as he thought I was, because he was hesitant about giving a 9th grader first seat. So there may be a very complimentary reason why your band conductor wants to hear you specifically on Syrinx. Maybe s/he just wants to see if you are up to the challenge.
Desperately Seeking Powell Flute #9777.
If you have ANY information on its whereabouts, please PM me!
and not everyone is going to have the same opinion. All you can do is be true to your playing and what you interpret from the page of music. Obviously, your band director thinks you can handle it. Ask him/her for technical advise. Listening to others does help greatly here as well. 