Dear Students of the Forum:

I have been invited to go to Taiwan in a few weeks to do some concerts, master classes, lectures and judge a competition for an organization in Taiwan.

So, besides expecting the students to be able to play all the right notes, rhythms, dynamics, etc, what do you think I will be looking for? What do you think will set one student apart from another.

I am looking forward to your replies.

Patrick

Musicality would be the main thing I think. How well they understand the concept of phrasing, tone colors, and their overall interpretation of a given piece of music, as well as their grasps of different stylistic ideas. There are probably going to be plenty of great technical players, but those that are technically capable as well as very musical are rarer.

good response Chris, I really want the younger students to think about this, I hope they respond as they are the ones who will do this type of competition

i really agree with flutist06. Musicality! how one *interperts the music and how expressively one plays. range of vibrato/colors. and that's all i can think of. anyone can have perfect technical skills but the musicality.
yep. i don't know! What do you look for patrick?
i have a lot of audition/competition/recital coming up. it'll help refresh my memory.^^

Agreed. "Musicality" is what counts. Look for the tone- how beautiful, balanced and controled it is. Loook for intonation. Look for the rhythmic styles-accents and interpretation. Look for their general technique-Articulation, tongueing, breathing, notes/fingerings. Look for the general interpretation-phrasing, expression, tempo, dynamics, style, etc. Have fun judging!

so far , you are all on the right track, but it is a given that they will all do those things...and even if they play musically, good phrasing, articulation, dynamics, expression, etc. I will still be looking for something more...guess what that is..

agreed. also congradulations patrick! Are you looking forward to going? that's pretty cool.

yes, it should be fun, especially if I get bribed before the competition, I am also presenting 3 concert/master classes and will also give a lecture to the sales staff in some cities there...

After all the technical stuff (including musicality), I would look for someone who seems emotionally attached to the music they are playing. That's how you can tell they really enjoy what they are doing and understand the piece.

When I was in college, I was not a flute major (or even a minor), but I beat out all other flutes at an audition for a solo in wind ensemble. I think this was because I put my emotions into the piece (which, by the way, was Symphony No. 1 -- Lord of the Rings by Johan de Meij, a very fun piece). The others might have played it technically perfect, but I guess I had that extra something!

congrats, you hit the nail on the head!