I was recently invited to perform as a soloist at the band camp that my university runs for high school students. I am not a professional musician and have never done this before, so I'm looking for any tips.
I've got about a month to prepare. I'm playing every day now (I normally practice two or three times a week during the school year when I'm playing in a community orchestra).
I'm working with a flute teacher to revive and polish the two pieces I'll be playing. She's working with me on making sure my projection and has even offered to loan me one of her flutes for the performance-my 35 year old Armstrong 80B is a decent flute, but doesn't have the tone quality and projection of one her older mid-level Haynes (her "older" Haynes isn't that old!).
Stage fright is not usually an issue for me-I've been a professor for 25+ years and am used to speaking in front of large audiences. Nor has it troubled me when I've had an exposed part in orchestra or played a solo with piano accompaniment at Summerkeys (an adult music camp).
The audience will be mostly the parents of the high school students and some university faculty and staff. The latter are the ones I'd like to impress-they know that I'm an amateur musician and I'd like them to come away from the concert thinking that I'm a decent musician.
A new experience for me-any tips
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Hoshi_Flute
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:47 am
- Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Re: A new experience for me-any tips
How wonderful for you! It is a smart step that you are working with a teacher on your music. I am sure your audience will enjoy your music a great deal. After all, you were invited to play, no? This already says a lot! 
Best wishes and good luck to you.
What pieces will you be performing?
Best wishes and good luck to you.What pieces will you be performing?
I'm playing Rhapsody for Flute by Steve Bulla and the second movement of Concerto No. 2 in D by Mozart.
The Rhapsody for Flute is new to me, but it's pretty straightforward and has some interesting parts for band.
I played the Mozart several years ago at Summerkeys, so it's in pretty good shape already and we're working mainly on making it have a singing quality.
Yes, they invited me to play, but they extended the invitation knowing nothing about my skill level (no one on campus has ever heard me play). But they're used to working with non-professionals-apparently, it's traditional for the summer band camp to invite band alumni and faculty members to appear as soloists with the group.
The Rhapsody for Flute is new to me, but it's pretty straightforward and has some interesting parts for band.
I played the Mozart several years ago at Summerkeys, so it's in pretty good shape already and we're working mainly on making it have a singing quality.
Yes, they invited me to play, but they extended the invitation knowing nothing about my skill level (no one on campus has ever heard me play). But they're used to working with non-professionals-apparently, it's traditional for the summer band camp to invite band alumni and faculty members to appear as soloists with the group.