Competitive School Flute Sections

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fluteluversmom
Posts: 295
Joined: Sun May 11, 2003 10:22 pm

Competitive School Flute Sections

Post by fluteluversmom »

notootsieno''s post got me to
thinking. I know they mentioned that there was a lot of competition in their
band for 1st chair and I know that it exists in my daughters band also. My
daughter has really good friends in other sections of the band and it doesn''t
sound like it goes on in those sections like it does with the flutes. I was
wondering if it like this in other bands too. I would really be interested in
hearing from some of our college level players to and see if they experienced
this as they went through Jr and High School. Kim
Some
days you catch the bus and other days it runs over you.

AG950Flute
Posts: 139
Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2003 4:24 pm

Competitive School Flute Sections

Post by AG950Flute »

ah yes...the joys of flute
competition [:)] i don't think i really remember any of my ensemble experiences
in high school or junior high being non-competitive. and us flute players can be
a little nasty about it too. i remember being a little nasty at times. being in
college now, it's a little different. there's a level of competition but it's
not catty like it used to be. it's more a sense of knowing your level and how
you fit in among the other players around you and using it to your advantage to
make you a better player. i don't really know how to describe it. also, where i
go to school, ensembles are on a rotational basis as with seating. so, you're
never always last chair or first chair. you have the opportunity to play every
part, so that cuts down on the level of competition as well. hope that answers
your question kim [:)]
Courtney
Morton

FluteDiddy
Posts: 197
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2003 4:32 pm

Competitive School Flute Sections

Post by FluteDiddy »

Because most of you seem to be female
I hate to say this but its a cat fight. Most of the other instruments have guys
playing but in most bands flute is chic vs chic and that can get nasty. It also
comes from the fact that there usually isn't much difference between players.
Some are better at one thing the other better at something else but neither
especially good or really bad. You could probably flip a coin and be just as
right as a chair test.
F-Diddy the Man with the Purple flute

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fluteluversmom
Posts: 295
Joined: Sun May 11, 2003 10:22 pm

Competitive School Flute Sections

Post by fluteluversmom »

Courtney~ Yes, thanks you answered my
question. I guess I was a bit suprised to see the competition that exists in a
Middle School band LOL I never experienced it when I played in school but then I
was never a contender for 1st chair either. On one hand maybe the competition is
a good thing and reminds a person that they are not always the best. My
daughters teacher was 1st chair all through Jr and High School and now in
college things are a bit different. Kim
Some
days you catch the bus and other days it runs over you.

zephyrr
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Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2005 3:16 am
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Post by zephyrr »

I think it's okay to have competition among the section ppl, so long as it's healthy. It keeps the section working hard. But if you're gonna get white hairs over competitions then it's not worth it. who cares if you're in first chair when you're like dying from overpractising.

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notootsieno
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Post by notootsieno »

Oh gosh, I remember that post I made. Wow was I immature. As it turns out, that girl I was "competing" with actually had stopped caring about flute playing and band in general loong before, so all the stress that I put on myself was pointless.

But my stupidity aside, there is a lot of competition in flute sections. Particularly among seniors who are afraid of freshmen beating them. :twisted: Just kidding. Competition can be healthy as long as you don't base your whole existence upon it, like I once did.

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