Most colleges have you pick two contrasting pieces to audition on in addition to a Mozart concerto, excerpts, etc. Which pieces would you reccomend or did you audition on. Thanks!

I played part of the Poulenc Sonata (2nd movement) and the third movement of the Harbinson Sonata. You might also want to think in terms of different time periods. Maybe something from the Baroque era and something modern, or something Romantic and something classical. Try to play the most "difficult" (doesn't always mean technically difficult) pieces possible without choosing something that is beyond your ability level or is going to cause you excess stress in the audition room. You will only have a few minutes to show your abilities to the auditors, so you want to demonstrate the best of what you're capable of. For the top music schools, there can be dozens (if not more) of people auditioning for just one or two spots, so whatever will make you stand out in the auditor's minds is something you might consider playing. For example, if you can play something more unusual than the Mozart concerti, it might help your performance stick in their minds, so that you're not just the twelfth person they heard play that on audition day. Also try to pick pieces that play to your strengths while revealing as few of your weaknesses as possible. If you can't double tongue well, don't use something with double tonguing. There are plenty of technically challenging pieces with slurred runs that will show off your finger facility without letting them know that your tonguing is a work-in-progress. Hope that helps!

Chris

P.S. Where are you thinking of auditioning?

OOh! That's some really good advice! I think it's always a good idea to get preparing for college auditions. (I'm a sophomore) Isn't it true that most colleges would allow 1 or 2 flutist? I'm thinking of applying to NorthWestern University in evanston, IL. Have u guys heared of that place? It's very close to my house and there's a beach. I heard that college had a NICE music program...although i still need to reconsider about having music as my career

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what colleges did you guys go to?

Northwestern does indeed have an excellent program, and if memory serves, an excellent flute studio under Walfrid Kujala. I actually am considering applying there for a performance degree after I finish my ed degree at University of Northern Colorado.

Hey Chris, well I dunno exactly where I want to go, but I'm thinking about Boston Unviersity and Northwestern (I always change my mind lol). I want to try to double major - I know, it's hard - in both Flute Performance and Business. I still have a lot of time to prepare, but I figured that it would be better to start early (I will be a junior this fall). BU has a better business program than Northwestern, so that is why I'm more interested in BU. Northwestern only has a business minor. But if I go to NW than we can go there together lol. What other good academic colleges have good music performance programs? O yeah, isn't Christina Jennings the new flute professor at U of N Colorado? I love her tone.

I forgot, I'm also thinking about USC.

Nope, Nicole Riner is the prof. at UNC. That's gonna be tough pulling a double major, but you already know that. It's a great idea to start early (I started pulling things together roughly 3 months before my auditions...luckily I still made it in everywhere I applied), but the more prep time you have, the more you can do with the music, and the less you'll be stressed later. Good luck wherever you end up! Definitely let me know if you go to Northwestern....Maybe we can be roomies!

Oops, she's at University of Colorado at Boulder. jk lol yes, we can be roomies and relive the old cal poly days! haha

You mean spreading the whore? Hopefully without the pot brownies, though....

Im not sure what i'd do for an audition, I don't know what my level would be.

I'm going into 10th grade. I'm hoping to go into the Coast Guard when I guaduate from high school and then get my degree in music from the University of South Carolina when I get out. Im not positive on the degree though.

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Oops I mean "I'm not positive on what degree.

OMG, our roommates were crazy! lol I can't believe that I didn't know what they were eating! That weekend was awsome

play contrasting pieces and keep the following things in mind:

show dynamics
don't play everything at the same speed
alter your vibrato
don't show nerves
have energy and enthusiasm, they are looking for people who show promise
most of all...be yourself

Cool. I know this guy and he had a GPA of 4.5 and he didn't make it in norhwestrn. ooh! mabye i have a chance of making in!^^..hopefully.. DePaul sounds nice too.. i dunno!..

OH! i agree. I had so much engery and ethsiasium(sp?) when i did my audition. It was great..and my confidence showed that i wanted to be in the top band..so yea^^ In the second piece, i played way too fast..(not good!) because of nerves. ehh. i guess my b.d knew that i could do better..really liked my confidence. SO, he let me pass. YUP, i think i was one of the few ppl who had so much energy when i entered the room. my teacher was surprised.^^ HAHA!.

How about orchestral excerpts? I want to do a total of 4, consisting of 2 slower ones and 2 faster ones. For the faster ones I am thinking about doing Peter and the Wolf and the William Tell Overture and for the slower ones: The Afternoon of a Faun and.... I don't know, that is why I am comming to you guys. I was thinking something simple like Entr'acte from the Carmen Suite No. 1 or Menuet from L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2 to show off tone and expressiveness. What do you guys think? Too simple? What suggestions do you have for the other slower excerpt?