Chair Postions

fluteluversmom · Post by **fluteluversmom** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 11:09 am

With school just starting in many places I was thinking
about chair auditions that will be taking place soon. How does your school do
auditions for chairs? Is there a test or an audition ? What is used for this
test....scales, sightreading a piece of music of your own choice ? Kim

flute friend · Post by **flute friend** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 11:59 am

Hi!! I also have questions like that, that I would like
to get answered before school cause I will need that info. also. Thatnk you for
all your help!! Thanks a bunch! [:)]

flutietootie4lyfe · Post by **flutietootie4lyfe** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 2:10 pm

my school we sit anywhere we want the first day and the
music teacher comes around and listens to you play just like a phrase and then
he places you wherever its really not a good method but whatever im not going to
fight with him

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 3:50 pm

This is a new year but in the past. End of previous year
returning players were tested and given chair number and which level of band for
the following year. Testing: During class player goes into practice room where
tape recorder is set up. Players starts recording, states name, and plays scales
that were announced and section of a piece of music. Also a written test on
termonology. A few days later if there are any changes it is announced.
Following week players may challenge up one chair notifying that player and then
both are told what items have to be played usually during sectionals. Well that
is one way. Challenge is not available every week and tests are given every
grading period which can rearrange chairs.[:knockout:] [:(] [:knockout:]

fluteluversmom · Post by **fluteluversmom** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 4:50 pm

Ok I will answer my own question LOL Here it works
similar to where Penny is. The kids audition at the end of the year playing an
assigned piece of music and they are told their chair position for the next
year. They will test once a week once school starts. They are assigned set of
exercises but they don't know which one the test will be on. Chairs are usually
reassigned once per trimester if tests show a need for a change. My daughter
told me that they wouldn't be using challenges this year. So that means chairs
will be based only on the test's. Kim

flute friend · Post by **flute friend** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:00 pm

THANKS~~[:)]

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 7:16 pm

Testing once a week???[:devil:] [:devil:] [:devil:] My
daughter will explode if her school switches to that, seems excessive.[:sun:]
[:sun:] [:sun:] Players don't change that much that often. Plus different
chairs play different parts and how do you prepare for concerts with people
changing chairs every week. Good news and Bad news. Bad news is she isn't
allowed to challenge. Good news its because she is first chair. But every year
is different so who knows.

fluteluversmom · Post by **fluteluversmom** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 8:18 pm

Penny~ They test each week here but they only reassign
chairs once a Trimester. You are lucky that they have a band where the flutes
play different parts. Here they all play the same music..so they all want 1st
chair real bad LOL Last year my daughter earned a very thick skin !!

krzymunkey · Post by **krzymunkey** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 2:22 am

[:0] this is hard...you play a piece, the band director
grades it (on mistakes, tone...) then he tells you to play all the major scales
and chromatic you kno, then grades it (on mistakes, tone...) he tells you what
he thinks of it, compares your total 'grade' with everyone, then puts them in
order[:bigsmile:]

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 8:13 am

Last years band director was very aggressive trying to
get them to play more difficult pieces than most schools. Flutes didn't always
have separate parts he did it with a couple of the pieces. They were fortunate
that flute was one of his instruments which made sectionals very good for the
flutes. They ended up with a very good flute section. Kryzmunkey Wow you sure
are lucky that your band director spends that much time with you. Grading you
and giving you immediate feedback on all that. No way the time was available for
the band director here. Do you have a small band?

krzymunkey · Post by **krzymunkey** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 4:08 pm

no, our whole band has about 650 people,the wind
ensemble has like 400, [:bigsmile:]

krzymunkey · Post by **krzymunkey** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 4:09 pm

we've actually been to many places, alot of people know
our band director... they're all good, but i stink... *sigh* [:(]

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 5:16 pm

Testing 650 of you must take forever to test, a never
ending process. Don't be modest I bet you are a budding star! I doubt all the
different levels of band at my daughters school don't total 650. I thought 9 or
10 flutes was way too many, you must have 30. Seems like an impossible task. My
kudos to your Band Director she/he must be a very hard working person. Remember
its not how you start its how you finish. Michael Jordan was cut by his HS
basketball team and ended up one of the greatest players of all time. So even if
you aren't the top player now, nothing says you won't end up that way.

krzymunkey · Post by **krzymunkey** » Sat Aug 16, 2003 10:34 pm

i wish i could make the ensmble, i've always dreamt of
going to carnegie hall to perform, which our ensemble is going to, i've been
practicing all summer, my privater teacher says i stink, i'm not gonna make
it... that discourages me...[:blackeye:]

flute friend · Post by **flute friend** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 12:15 am

Why dose your Teacher tell you that?? Your teacher is
sapposed to be there for youand help you play better and learn new things every
day. I bet you can maake the Band if you practice and practice because you can
do anything if you set your mind to it. Don't be discouraged by what other's
say. You can alays improve and always get better with practice. I beleive that
you can make the band with some hard work and good additude. Trust your fellings
is this teacher of yours not helping you and all she dose is discurage you if
yes you might want to think about getting a new teacher or is she teaching you
very importent things and you fell as if you are learning better then if you
didn't have her?? if that is the case she might just say you stink so that you
will want to get better and try harder to make the band?? Ask your self these
qustions and think about it, and maybe talk to your parents about the situation.
(that is if you are a youth) I hope you think about this and I wish you the best
of luck!! [:)]