So after recently deciding to quit violin lessons and to quit playing violin competitively, I now have flute that I need to work on VERY hard if I want to make All-State. I am going to be a junior next year, so I have two years, although making it both years would be.. amazing, I'd just like to make it once!
I'm in Iowa and for where I live flute is an EXTREMELY competitive instrument. Last year 60 flutes tried out at our center, and only 5 were picked.. I didn't' try out on flute last year (violin) so I don't know how I would have compared, but the person thats first of my grade didn't even get a callback last year.. but for all I know she messed up a scale and thats why.
In your opinion would the Chaminade Concertino be a good All-State piece? I will also probably be doing it for solo/ensemble next March, so we have lots of time We are only allowed 1:20 for the All-State solo though.. heres a recording, you can see how far 1:20 is.. (actually 1:30 as she doesn't start until 0:10.. this girl is amazing btw, lol) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bS-jZ1G ... re=related
For a 7 year old [I think that is how old she is... maybe she is 9 I don't remember], that is quite impressive. There was recently a debate on the Galway Flute Chat about her, young flutists in general, and prodigies. It was interesting to watch unfold.
Anyway. To your question.
The Chaminade. Okay. If you did that, you would only get the majority of the first page in. Which is fine. BUT.... out of a slight bias.... everyone will be playing the Chaminade. I would think about doing something else to be honest. Doing something like the first page of the Faure Fantaisie or perhaps something else from the "Flute Music By French Composers" Book.
I would just look for something that has more of a technical challenge to it. It needs to be lyrical, but there needs to be enough technique to show that you are a solid player. The only technique that you have in the first page of the Chaminade, is the scales. The auditioning judges expect you to be able to play scales anyway. So, picking something else will not only show that you have technique, but it will also help you stand out from the crowd.
But, the Chaminade is nice. It wouldn't be a bad piece. But, if I were in your shoes, I personally would choose something different.
Not to sound offensive, and sorry if I'm getting this wrong, but, you're just starting to play the flute this year and you honestly expect to make All State (on the most competitive instrument, nonetheless), as a junior next year?
I'm not just starting flute I've been playing for 5-6 years, and i'm pretty advanced IMO. I played the Mozart Flute Concerto in G Major last year and got a nearly perfect score (one point off) in solo/ensemble.
I just have not tried out on flute before, although I'm definitely up to the challenge! My flute teacher is also great, and the people that make it in are mostly her students. She knows what will get me in, I'm assuming she thinks this one will.
Sorry i wasn't clear Since 5th grade I've been playing both flute and violin, for school and private lessons (although I started lessons just a year ago for both) and I have decided to quit violin besides playing at church, and just focus on flute.
Last edited by arabians207 on Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Oh, my mistake then, the way I read it I thought you were quitting the violin and just picking up the flute instead.
A recent solo I was happy with was Godard's Suite de Trois Morceaux (I played the Valse movement). I'm sure you could find a good 1:20 long section in it.
The Chaminade isn't a bad choice, but I do agree that it is very overused for auditions. Since alot of people are going to play it, it will be easy for judges to compare you to everyone else. So you need to really evaluate how your performance of it stands up. If it is in good shape compared to other people, then go for it, if not, then stay away.
We are only allowed 1:20 for the All-State solo though.. heres a recording, you can see how far 1:20 is.. (actually 1:30 as she doesn't start until 0:10.. this girl is amazing btw, lol)
Since 5th grade I've been playing both flute and violin, for school and private lessons (although I started lessons just a year ago for both) and I have decided to quit violin besides playing at church, and just focus on flute.