I do get paid for what I do, but I do it out of pure love, not for the money. I am one of the luckier ones.
I understand where Mrs. C is coming from, that can be one of the biggest turns off, is handling other musicians, no less other flute players! I have met some really wonderful musicians, but have also met some not so wonderful ones.

I had dreams of playing flute as a profession, but, as Kara said, it really starts to wear on you. The moment you overwork yourself, the moment you push the limit, you`ve lost something that you can`t get back. I have settled on being a band director after what my school has gone through-five band directors in just as many years...
So, I am happy that you want to become a professional player, but I think that your views on your band are a bit overblown (no pun intended)... Every band is good in it`s own ways, but I find it hard to believe that everyone from your group has made it to Julliard. Only 2% of everyone who ever audition make it and the chance that everyone who would tryout from a certian region would be accepted is very slim... I do see your point, though... I am now a band director, well, studying to be a band director, and I can promise that it is just as enjoyable as playing professionaly...(only in my opinion, though...)

Do you need a music major in college to become a teacher?

I would love to be able to play flute the rest of my life, but orchestral life seems so stressing. That`s kind of depressing because now I feel that all my lessons have been wasted if I`m not going to do anything with it later on in life. Is there anything outside of orchestral playing that you can do with flute?

I am so sorry!! People from my school (despite being a world-renowned wind ensemble) have applied, but not gotten into Julliard. It`s amazing, though, since there were some very talented players. However, the world renowned conductor that is no longer at my school for wind ensemble went to Julliard.

to first chair: There are more ways to be a pro flute player then just being in an orchestra. Most flutists who are professional cobble together a career that includes gigs, private teaching, orchestral playing and whatever else pays. You have to be true to yourself and play the music you want to play, the reality is that you will, if you work hard enough, get paid to play that which you didnt work on in college.

Janine, I know many wonderful musicians who didnt go to music school or get a degree, they did, however, study music and theory and ear training and history. When you get out of school, people are interested in how you play,not who you studied with or what kind of flute you play, you also have to be a nice person, or no one will want you as part of their musical family

I would LOVE to be a professional flutist!!! It is my DREAM!!!!!!!!!!!! Does anyone know of a college in Texas that would be good for me to attend in pursuit of becoming a flutist?

Don`t let anyone tell you that you can`t go pro without going to College, because I am one of them that made it and can kick the pants off of some of them that have gone to college.

Lauren, I hear NOrth Texas state is good, go for your dream, just be sure to be diverse in your musical ability in both playing and teaching, be flexible, and don`t RELY on that music degree to get you a job, it may get you opportunities, but won`t guarantee you a job at all

I know that this may sound really weird but I am 18. It is my tenth year playing clarinet and my eighth year playing flute. Being that I am blind, music is a way for me to express my feelings. A lot of people have tried to stop me from doing what I love, playing music. About a year ago my grandfather invited one of his friends to a school concert in which I had a solo. His friend was so impressed by my performance that he came up to me and asked me if I was thinking about a career in music performance. I told him I was and he asked me to come over some time and play some music for him. I mentioned to him that I was blind and that made him even more impressed. I told him that I needed someone to play the music for me first so I would know how it went. He set up a time and his current clarinetist, himself, and I sat down. I thought that I did well and apparently I did. He asked me to join his group and ever since I have been having a ton of fun with both his group and all the other school groups that I am in. It just goes to show that if you really put your mind to someting and you really like to do it then you should try as hard as you can. And trust me playing as a professional can have a lot of rewards and ve reallly fun too. I also play flute, alto sax, and accordian for the group.

That is such a wonderfull story, Annette. Thanks for sharing that with us. You are an inspriration to me.

Well not much to say about me besides that I want to be a professional flautist. I am also studying hard with my teacher.

what are some good all music schools that one may go to to accomplish his/her dream? I know of Julliard and Berklee (sp?).

One of my friends (who plays clarinet) has to go to a music conservatory because they are not allowed to go to an all-music school.

Who says you have to go to school to accomplish your dreams? I did it without the high price tag of an elite college.

I wanted to play piccolo professionally when I was in high school, but then I realized that I didn`t have the discipline to spend all the hours practicing (plus I didn`t want to make my carpal tunnel any worse). There are still post high school/college opporunities like community bands and orchestras.
Oh in response to Patrick`s statement, I have also heard many good things about North Texas State. My brother (who is a professional bass violinist/orchestra teacher) is going to go to Grad school there and he talks a lot about how great it is. (I`m not from Texas so I can`t give any advice on other schools).