I keep hearing about all of these flute competitions such as "all-state". Is this something for high schoolers? If so, what is the equivalent for college students or those in between high school and college? How do you find out about competitions like this? What do you win? Is it something you can put on your resume? Or something just for fun?
Just getting back into the world of flutes, and I feel lost!
All State is for middle and high schoolers (atleast here in GA). Basically you go thru a couple of 'cuts'...if you make it you get to play in the all-state band (only a one weekend event), play a concert, get a certificate and a medal. Basically, yes, it is just something to put on resumes/college apps. In college, there is an all-college band....again, atleast in GA. I think for this, your music director recommends you and you go to try for chair placement...then the same thing...weekend concert.
There are tons of flute competitions out there...probably even others. Just search around.
I know here in SC, we have region and if you make the top 8 chairs for flutes, you get all state callbacks which in turn lets you try out for all state band.
Since you live in FL, there is also an All-South (You compete against everyone in the Southern States).
Unfortunately, I'm beginning to not believe in these organizations any more. When I was back in High School, I managed to get 1st chair All-South, 1st chair All-Count, but somehow did not even qualify for All-State. Sounds a little fishy to me.