<p>I have been working with a friend's daughter on a list of schools for flute performance, from dream schools (Carnegie Mellon, NEC) to "safeties" (suggestions welcome!). It seems from reading the various requirments that most (all?) schools now require pre-screening tapes/CD's for flute performance? How difficult is it to get an audition? Does it help to send the tape early, or do schools wait until the application deadline (usually Dec 1) to begin screening?</p>
<p>The difficulty of getting an audition varies widely by school. It is not going to be easy at CMU, NEC or any other schools with top flute teachers, given the number of flute players out there. Flute and soprano are about the most competitive auditions going. I doubt that sending in the recording early would make much difference, as long as the tape is there by the deadline. It may mean that it gets a little more attention if the teacher wants to get a head start on listening, but that could be good or bad.</p>
<p>There were some very good discussions about flute teachers and schools a year or two back on this forum. Search for postings from FluteMomLiz and you should come across them.</p>
<p>Thanks, BassDad, as usual you are a great source of information, and the older postings about Flute teachers/schools were very helpful. Does anyone have any recent updates for newer schools like Bard?</p>
<p>Like BassDad said, it probably won't help to get your auditions in early as long as you do send them by the date, unless the school is rolling (music schools typically are not). On the bright side, this gives your friend's daughter plenty of time to perfect every little nuance of her piece.</p>
<p>From a fellow auditioning flautist: good luck!</p>
<p>You might take a look at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, MA. They have a good flute faculty which includes Robert Willoughby. It is smaller than NEC which allows for more performance opportunities and closer interaction with teachers.</p>
<p>Thanks, bostontenor, I looked at the Longy site, but don't fully understand whether they really offer an undergraduate degree. It seems they have something called an "undergraduate diploma" and then something else in conjunction with Emerson College, but friend's daughter really needs a BM or BA program.</p>