Basically what the title reads - how does one go about getting themselves out there?
I am a freshman college student studying under a Brasilian flautist, but I mean... I don't feel like I'm
going anywhere. I just play enough for the flute studio, and I have to admit to myself,
standards are really low. I need motivation.
Are there any competitions out there that I can do? Anything to get my name out there?
I love to play, and I love to do these things. But so far the only things I know of are
the NFA competitions.
Also, I'm definitely not there yet, but it's my dream to play for big-time orchestras. I'm just curious
as how one goes about auditioning for the London Symphony Orchestra exactly. (Out of curiosity,
I am aware I'm not ready for this. Yet.) Or how does one go into auditioning for local Symphonies?
Getting Yourself Out There
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
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pied_piper
- Posts: 1962
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:31 pm
- Location: Virginia
Re: Getting Yourself Out There
There are a fair number of regional competitions. There was one yesterday in Virginia and there was a collegiate competition.
http://www.fluteland.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7127
You can find out about many of these by joining online forums like this one or the Larry Krantz Flute List. Both have periodic announcements about such events.
Also, join the NFA and you will get the Flutist Quarterly magazine which also lists various competitions. Subscribe to Flute Talk magazine. It's only about $10-$13 a year and it too lists such events. Talk to your flute professor. When they are doing their job properly, they will also be aware of such events and competitions. If not, then if you really have such high aspirations, you should consider switching to another university that has a flute professor that is more in tune with such things.
Regarding orchestra auditions, here again, if that is your goal, then your flute professor should be providing guidance. Some universities specifically teach how to audition, including which orchestral excerpts you should know, how to prepare for them, and some even hold mock auditions to give you practice with the audition experience. Part of that is also to inform you of the difficult road ahead to win an orchestra audition. I dont want to dissuade you from your goal, but you need to be aware that there are far more flutists like yourself than there are positions. If you truly want to become a professional orchestra flutist, you have to be the best of the best. Plus, many professional orchestra flutists have advanced degrees in flute performance ( masters or doctorate). Even so, there are many who hold such advanced degrees but never get hired by an orchestra. Many flutists stay in their position for 20 or 30 years or more, so open positions don't happen very often. As I stated, I don't want to discourage you, but you need to know the realities right now so that you are not disappointed later. Know what you are facing and prepare for it by considering other types of work in the field of music. A good flute professor can help you prepare and honestly tell you whether you have the right stuff to possibly make it as a professional orchestra flutist. If so, great, if not, then you can make other career decisions accordingly.
Another factor to consider is the financial aspect of being a professional musician. Several large orchestras and many smaller regional orchestras are struggling financially in today's economy. Even if you win an audition, the pay is not that great in the smaller orchestras and if the orchestra folds, you are out of a job. I know several regional orchestra flutists and all of them teach part-time in universities as an adjunct professor or have private studios to make ends meet. There are a few large orchestras that pay into the six figure range, but you can count those flute positions on one hand. I'm sorry to be so blunt, but that's the way it is in the real world. All I'm saying is look before you commit to leap. Otherwise, you may experience first hand what it is like to be a starving artist...
http://www.fluteland.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7127
You can find out about many of these by joining online forums like this one or the Larry Krantz Flute List. Both have periodic announcements about such events.
Also, join the NFA and you will get the Flutist Quarterly magazine which also lists various competitions. Subscribe to Flute Talk magazine. It's only about $10-$13 a year and it too lists such events. Talk to your flute professor. When they are doing their job properly, they will also be aware of such events and competitions. If not, then if you really have such high aspirations, you should consider switching to another university that has a flute professor that is more in tune with such things.
Regarding orchestra auditions, here again, if that is your goal, then your flute professor should be providing guidance. Some universities specifically teach how to audition, including which orchestral excerpts you should know, how to prepare for them, and some even hold mock auditions to give you practice with the audition experience. Part of that is also to inform you of the difficult road ahead to win an orchestra audition. I dont want to dissuade you from your goal, but you need to be aware that there are far more flutists like yourself than there are positions. If you truly want to become a professional orchestra flutist, you have to be the best of the best. Plus, many professional orchestra flutists have advanced degrees in flute performance ( masters or doctorate). Even so, there are many who hold such advanced degrees but never get hired by an orchestra. Many flutists stay in their position for 20 or 30 years or more, so open positions don't happen very often. As I stated, I don't want to discourage you, but you need to know the realities right now so that you are not disappointed later. Know what you are facing and prepare for it by considering other types of work in the field of music. A good flute professor can help you prepare and honestly tell you whether you have the right stuff to possibly make it as a professional orchestra flutist. If so, great, if not, then you can make other career decisions accordingly.
Another factor to consider is the financial aspect of being a professional musician. Several large orchestras and many smaller regional orchestras are struggling financially in today's economy. Even if you win an audition, the pay is not that great in the smaller orchestras and if the orchestra folds, you are out of a job. I know several regional orchestra flutists and all of them teach part-time in universities as an adjunct professor or have private studios to make ends meet. There are a few large orchestras that pay into the six figure range, but you can count those flute positions on one hand. I'm sorry to be so blunt, but that's the way it is in the real world. All I'm saying is look before you commit to leap. Otherwise, you may experience first hand what it is like to be a starving artist...
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--
--anonymous--
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HaleyAnnette
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2012 8:41 pm
Re: Getting Yourself Out There
Thanks for the tips and the information.
And yes, I am very aware of that. No need to explain that to me, as it explained by many.
It is a dream, no? I will pursue it until the end. But until then, I study vocationally
to "make ends meet" in the future. Because the realities have already hit me.
But I'm no quitter.
And yes, I am very aware of that. No need to explain that to me, as it explained by many.
It is a dream, no? I will pursue it until the end. But until then, I study vocationally
to "make ends meet" in the future. Because the realities have already hit me.
But I'm no quitter.
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pied_piper
- Posts: 1962
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:31 pm
- Location: Virginia
Re: Getting Yourself Out There
That's the first step toward success in all of life's endeavors.HaleyAnnette wrote:...But I'm no quitter.
Good luck with your dream.
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--
--anonymous--