Concertino by C. Chaminade

[fluteluversmom]

Has anyone used this for an audition or
contest? My daughter and her teacher are trying to decide on a song for a
upcoming contest and my daughter really likes Chaminade. If there are any
teachers out there I would love to hear your opinions also if possible. Thanks,
Kim

[AG950Flute]

The Chaminade tends to be a good piece for
contests and auditions because of it has both a slow and fast section within the
piece. As a matter of fact, most of the pieces out of the French music by French
composers book are quite good. They were all composed for the Paris Conservatory
for students to play to graduate and compete for the Grand Prix. The only slight
dowmside to the Chaminade that some feel it is overplayed and some may get tired
of listening to it. Does not mean it is not a good piece though to showcase
musicality, tone production and colors, as well as technical facility. Best of
luck!

[fluteluversmom]

Thanks so much for your input. I have been
doing a bit of research online and also heard what you said about Chaminade
being overplayed sometimes. My daughter does have the book Flute Music by French
Composers so they do have some other songs to consider out of that also. Do you
happen to have any favorites that you would recommend ? Kim

[AG950Flute]

The Fauré Fantasie is good, also quite
popular, but for the most part people don't groan when hearing that's being
played. The Gaubert Nocturne et Allegro Scherzando is also great. The Taffanel
Andante Pastorale et Scherzettino is another popular one. Those three and the
Chaminade are probably considered the most common of the French pieces, and will
often see them on audition lists and sometimes competitions. Other ones that I
have played is the Gaubert Fantaisie, Ganne Andante et Scherzo, and Enesco
Cantible et Presto. I hope that helps!

[fluteluversmom]

Thanks for your tips. I will tell her to
give those songs a try today and see what she thinks of them. She really wants
to do the Concertino but is a bit concerned about the judges being tired of
hearing it. Kim

[embum79]

I think that if your daughter loves it, she
should go for it. If you love what you play, you always sound so much better.
Don't worry about the judges being tired of hearing it.. if they do, that's
their loss. They should be professional enough to listen to a great piece of
music and judge it for how your daughter plays it. Do people ever get tired of
hearing The Messiah at Christmas time? If your daughter puts her heart into it
and practices it well, she should be fine.

[fluteluversmom]

Emily~ Thanks for this reply...I somehow
missed it when you posted it. I think it makes a big difference when you want to
play a song or when it has been chosen for you. Do you take private lessons ? If
so does your teacher allow you to pick songs that you want to work on or does
she "influence" what you play ? Kim [Quote] ---------------- On 12/17/2003
4:49:37 PM I think that if your daughter loves it, she should go for it. If you
love what you play, you always sound so much better. Don't worry about the
judges being tired of hearing it.. if they do, that's their loss. They should
be professional enough to listen to a great piece of music and judge it for how
your daughter plays it. Do people ever get tired of hearing The Messiah at
Christmas time? If your daughter puts her heart into it and practices it well,
she should be fine. ---------------- [/quote]

[embum79]

Yes, I take private lessons. I guess it's a
little of both.. my teacher suggests things and I also bring things to her that
I want to learn. It works well. I think it depends on your playing level. When
you're just starting out in the repertoire, your teacher can be very
influential to showing you pieces that are important for flutists to know. After
you reach a certain level, you can sort of have a little more say over what you
play. Also it depends on what your goals are. If you are shooting for a career
or college playing, your teacher should be able to teach you the pieces that
will get you there. I'm an adult student.. not really trying to make a career
out of this, so I think I have a little more flexibility over what I play. How
is your daughter doing? Did she decide on the Chaminade?

[fluteluversmom]

Emily~ Thanks, what you said made a lot of
sense. Finding the perfect teacher/student match is very important but sometimes
hard to do. My daughter is not really considering flute as part of her college
career although she has a ways to go before before college decisions will be
made. She actually wants to go into Genetic Research. Her teacher suggested
playing Telemann's Largo Allegro and she can now play that very well and has it
memorized but I don't think her heart is in it. Kim

[flautist blackie]

i suggest she play Fairie's Aire (just
kidding...none of the professionals i know come close to playing it). i feel out
of place here. for my last audition, i did pachelbel's canon and passed. its a
bit easy, but i didnt have time to learn anything better. i'll take your advice
on french composers.

[fluteluversmom]

Black~ You haven't been here very long.
Just give it a chance. We have many different level's of flutist's here. I am
one of our middle age players..I played flute back in school for 8 years and
just started playing again. We have many beginners here as well as a few Middle,
High school and college level players. We all are able to learn from each other
because everyone is at a different level. I have been very impressed with a
couple of our college level players that we have that post here. They post some
really thought out responses and I have often thought that they will make great
flute teachers some day. Kim >>i feel out of place here. for my last audition, i
did pachelbel's canon and passed. its a bit easy, but i didnt have time to
learn anything better. i'll take your advice on french composers.>>