Do You Have What It Takes
To Be A Performance Major?
by Cindy Anne Broz
Flute Performance is a difficult and highly competitive major in collegiate study. If you are serious about flute and considering studying flute performance in college, then you need to be aware of the following criteria:
Practice
-By Freshman year in high school, you are consistently practicing a minimum of 1-2 hours/day
-By Sophomore year in high school, you are consistently practicing a minimum of 2 hours/day
-By Junior year in high school, you are consistently practicing a minimum of 2-3 hours/day
-By Senior year in high school, you are consistently practicing a minimum of 3 hours/day
Practicing is a priority in your life; if you have not practiced the minimum amount on any given day, you do not go out with friends, you do not watch TV, you do not talk on the phone, etc., until you have finished your practice.
If homework gets in the way of practice on a regular basis, you might consider attending a community college for a couple of years before taking an audition to a 4-year flute performance program. This will give you the opportunity to develop a solid practice routine, along with the academic study skills you will need for upper division course work.
If you are considering conservatory study, then you need to be aware that many of the students who are entering these programs have been taking private lessons since they were 10 years old, and practicing close to 4-5 hours/day since age 13 or 14.
Attitude
You are willing and eager to attend any masterclasses, recitals, festivals, and competitions available within 2 hours driving distance; you make yourself available for these events whenever possible; you are eager to attend events whether or not you are playing or performing.
You are willing and eager to play in ensembles with other flute players, to learn to play with, and listen to, other flute players.
You are willing and eager to listen to recommended recordings by fine flute players on a regular basis; you are willing and eager to listen to instrumental and symphonic recordings to develop your understanding and further your appreciation of music.
You are consistently prepared at your private lessons, often going beyond what is assigned.
You are playing in a local youth symphony/wind ensemble to enhance your ensemble experience and preparation.
Scholastics
Academics are very important: Grades, SATs, and ACTs count. Many of the finest flute performance programs are located at 4-year universities that have the highest admission standards: Northwestern University, Rice University, University of Southern California, and Indiana University, just to name a few.
If you are not carrying a 3.5 GPA or better, while still maintaining a regular practice routine, then consider attending a community college or state college so you can develop the essential time management skills necessary for music performance majors. There are many fine flute performance programs in the state university systems.
Social Life
Your social life revolves around music, the arts, and academics.
There are many college options in the study of music: Music Education; Music Theory; Music History; Music Industry; Music Composition. Performance may be the most difficult of all, as one is generally required to carry at least 3 performance classes (rehearsals/concerts) along with a full academic schedule, and still manage to practice 3-5 hours/day.
Practice
-By Freshman year in high school, you are consistently practicing a minimum of 1-2 hours/day
-By Sophomore year in high school, you are consistently practicing a minimum of 2 hours/day
-By Junior year in high school, you are consistently practicing a minimum of 2-3 hours/day
-By Senior year in high school, you are consistently practicing a minimum of 3 hours/day
Practicing is a priority in your life; if you have not practiced the minimum amount on any given day, you do not go out with friends, you do not watch TV, you do not talk on the phone, etc., until you have finished your practice.
If homework gets in the way of practice on a regular basis, you might consider attending a community college for a couple of years before taking an audition to a 4-year flute performance program. This will give you the opportunity to develop a solid practice routine, along with the academic study skills you will need for upper division course work.
If you are considering conservatory study, then you need to be aware that many of the students who are entering these programs have been taking private lessons since they were 10 years old, and practicing close to 4-5 hours/day since age 13 or 14.
Attitude
You are willing and eager to attend any masterclasses, recitals, festivals, and competitions available within 2 hours driving distance; you make yourself available for these events whenever possible; you are eager to attend events whether or not you are playing or performing.
You are willing and eager to play in ensembles with other flute players, to learn to play with, and listen to, other flute players.
You are willing and eager to listen to recommended recordings by fine flute players on a regular basis; you are willing and eager to listen to instrumental and symphonic recordings to develop your understanding and further your appreciation of music.
You are consistently prepared at your private lessons, often going beyond what is assigned.
You are playing in a local youth symphony/wind ensemble to enhance your ensemble experience and preparation.
Scholastics
Academics are very important: Grades, SATs, and ACTs count. Many of the finest flute performance programs are located at 4-year universities that have the highest admission standards: Northwestern University, Rice University, University of Southern California, and Indiana University, just to name a few.
If you are not carrying a 3.5 GPA or better, while still maintaining a regular practice routine, then consider attending a community college or state college so you can develop the essential time management skills necessary for music performance majors. There are many fine flute performance programs in the state university systems.
Social Life
Your social life revolves around music, the arts, and academics.
There are many college options in the study of music: Music Education; Music Theory; Music History; Music Industry; Music Composition. Performance may be the most difficult of all, as one is generally required to carry at least 3 performance classes (rehearsals/concerts) along with a full academic schedule, and still manage to practice 3-5 hours/day.