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I need advice, and I'm hoping that my fellow flute friends will help me out.

I was nominated by my band director for Governor's School. Unfortunately, I have no idea what to play for the audition piece, as my director is of absolutely no help in telling me my strengths and weaknesses. All he said was to choose something both technical and musical, which I was going to do in any case.

The piece must not exceed two minutes, but I am free to choose whatever music I wish. As for my talent...Well, I am a sophmore in high school, and made it into the top/honors/wind ensemble band as a freshman.

Mostly, I was wondering if any of you had auditioned for anything in which you were able to pick the audition piece (unlike County, District, or State, in which the piece is provided), and if so, what that piece was. I am rather inept when it comes to composers and quality music, so I would appreciate any advice, either in a quoted post (so I know you're talking to me) or pm.

Thank you!!

I haven't actually auditioned for anything in which I pick the piece. However, I can give you some examples of things that I was going to work on for auditions (I didn't end up auditioning due to lack of time...).

California's state honor band music is Telemann's Suite in A Minor. You could play a movement from that.

I've also discussed with my teacher Mozart's Concerto in C for Flute and Harp, as well as Widor's Suite Op. 34 (I'm particularly fond of the second movement of it).

Since you only have a two-minute time block, that leaves you in a tight spot unfortunately. Make sure not to take repeats on whatever piece you choose. You can't go wrong (usually) with anything from musicians like Mozart, Haydn, Telemann, etc. Pick to your abilities. If you have excellent intonation and your tone is beautiful, pick something slower. If you can get your fingers to fly, pick something faster. I would definitely recommend, though, talking with your private teacher, if you haven one (I would hope you do if you're in the top groups!).

If you still have your state's honor band music, use that if anything. County is usually less advanced than state music.

Fluteworld.com has a lot of flute music available, and it rates them. Though, a 3 or 4 on their website is probably going to be challenging and technical enough for your purposes. Here's their unaccompanied flute solos page.

Good luck. heart

Wait. You're supposed to clean it every six months?! I've had my flute for three years and I never felt the need to do that. :I I wasn't even told I had to... eep.

//end random

heart heart heart I AM SOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!! heart heart heart heart I SIMPLY CANNOT BELIEVE THERE ARE SO MANY FLUTISTS ON HERE!!!! xD
About me: i like anime, reading, and hanging with my friends. and of course, playing my flute. i live in a small town, only 2 boys in the band. i am in junior high (7th grade) there are 2 other flutists in the band, an eighth grader and another seventh grader. we dont do marching band, but we do do pep music (GO BULLDOGS!) my flutes "name" is Grey Thread. no idea why. i've played flute since i was in 5th grade, and i think i am pretty good at it. (i hope)
IT WAS SO NICE TO MEET ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! biggrin

I play flute for my school's Wind Ensemble, which is the top Concert Band class offered, and I absolutely adore it.
Our teacher is really cool; and my section sisters (and brother) are amazing!! smile

Yay for being the section with the most posts razz

Let me start out by saying "Ewwwwwwww...!!!!"

Yes, you're supposed to clean your flute! And as far as cleaning the inside of the flute you want to do that every time you finish playing it! The moisture left in your flute will grow bacteria, and the inside will smell and--gawwwd forbid--get caked on the inside...! But don't worry, it's easy: you need a cleaning rod and a piece of old t-shirt (or a silk shirt you never wear since apparently silk is the most absorbent). Or a cleaning snake that fits over your cleaning rod if you really feel the need to make sure your flute is squeaky clean on the inside.

As for the outside, that's up to you. Since my flute is sterling silver, it tarnishes easily and therefore is cleaned by me almost every time I play. I also don't like the look and feel of old fingerprints on the outside, since it feels kinda sticky and I like the feel of a smooth flute.

In a nutshell: clean the inside religiously, clean the outside when you feel like it. Done!