Dennis, You're not that old. But I know how you feel. I am about to start my last quarter of college (student teaching) and I'll be 27 in October. You might be surprised at how many people will think that you're younger than you really are. Last quarter other students in my classes asked me when I was going to turn 21 soon. Anyways, I hope you kick butt on your auditions.

Yeah, Flutist06 might freak out about that comment, Dennis.... Yeah, they are quite a bit cheaper than most comparable flutes....I attribute that to the fact that he has very little overhead (works out of a workshop on his own property and only has himself and his two sons as employees, so little to nothing for the payroll, whereas the other makers (even the small ones) sometimes have 3 or 4 people working there and have to pay for workshop space), but in my opinion, there is nothing better than a good old Tom Green (I'm even looking at a sterling head from him to make my Yamaha play a little better). Even if you don't want gold, his silver flutes are awesome (and low cost), so if you get the chance, please do play them....Even if you don't choose it, I would love to see what you think of them!

Erin,

I am hoping that they start thinking I am younger than I am. I already had a Junior knock on my practice room door and asked if I was a new Grad Student! I was like, is that bad because I look old, or good because of my playing. HAHAHA! Although, I should tell him that the Flute/Harp Concerto needs to have more articulation than he plays it(he likes to slur everything). Since he is a junior he is not competition to me. My competition would be the new freshmen and the sophomores. We have to play, Scherzo from Midsummer Night's Dream, Excerpt from William Tell Overture, Till Eulenspiegel (two excerpts that are QUITE rough to play), Prelude apres midi d'un faun (afternoon of a faun) by Debussy (wonderful for circular breathers!), Bach aria 15 and aria 19 from the Christmas Oratorio, and Peter and the Wolf Excerpts. Plus the Mozart Flute/Harp, and then I believe scales and a piece of our choice...I am not sure as that is what the website says, but the audition packet does not. So, I am preparing Ibert for the piece if I need it. Only movement 1 though. LOL.

Chris,

I do want to try one since they are made by someone who worked with Jack Moore. My last upstairs neighbor played on a Jack Moore and it is a GORGEOUS sounding flute! I wish he still made them. Also, I have a great headjoint now thanks to Kara (a.k.a. Kate). I play on a crappy Pearl flute, but the headjoint that came with it was HORRIBLE...she can tell you all about it I am sure! Well, I now have a Yamaha CY, and my soundimproved darmatically...I can't wait for a new Flute!!!

-Dennis

Dennis, Just assume that the person thought that you were a grad student because of your incredible playing.

<Added>

I'm also interested in looking at a Tom Green flute. Something to buy once I get my big teaching job! (teaching special ed)

don't worry about age, audiences don't care how old you are

You know, I promised someone I would post recordings of myself once I found the right equipment....Once I get to school, they have a professional recording studio (several, actually) on campus, so I might find some time to record something, and maybe that will give you an idea of how it compares to a Jack Moore....And my prof. plays a Jack Moore, so maybe she'll let me test drive her flute sometime and then I can compare too.

Erin,

I will have to assume it only because I don't look or feel old. Actually, wait a minute, I do! ARGH! I am the age (and even older than some) of most Grad Students! Hopefully I do not look 26, but I really don't care.

Patrick,

I know audiences don't care about your age, but looks do matter. I want to become famous before I lose what semi-good looks I have left!

Chris,

I would like to hear some recordings of both if you ever get that chance. I only record in my living room. I don't know anyone yet to accompany me...so any recording I do is with Smart Music or myself.

Welcome back Dennis.

Quit complaining about your age...

I'm 28 and looking forward to my "prime" 30s, lol

If you want to feel young take a Jr college music class.

I already feel young! My roommate turns 30 in December, and I want to throw him a HUGE over the hill party! He's going to hate it!!! YAY!

-Dennis

Hey now.. I am only older by 2 days of your roomate. Are you saying I am an old fart? LOL!!!

>>Well I guess that isn't too bad of a price. For some reason I was thinking they were more. I don't think that I am going to try one now. Me must now be tempted! My husband would blow another fuse! Besides, I really need to replace my car here soon.
<<

Yeah, I was just thinking that my next car will probably be in the $12-13K range. OK, well a little more, since I want another Beetle.

If I come here discussing $12K flutes, you'll know that I'm suffering my mid-life crisis. If men can buy convertibles, can women buy flutes?

Judy

This man's buying a flute! You get the convertible!

Kara,

It's only over the hill cause it's tradition! Plus...he is having a hard time coping thinking about it!

-Dennis

This guy got the flute too! And I'm no where near a mid-life crisis! I was literally offered the choice by my parents just before we bought my flute, and I have no regrets that I took the flute over the car. I figure somewhere down the road, this flute'll help me pay for a car. It's also a better investment since it holds WAY more value than a car would (and might even increase in value).

Oh, trust me...if it comes down to a career move, I'd buy the flute. I'm at the "preference" level right now--I have features I want, but I have a decent enough flute that it would cost more than I want to spend right now to get a comparable instrument with the added features. I've always entertained the idea of doing music education, but the idea of auditioning floors me. I'm one of those people who can pick up any instrument and get it playing a tune in a few days, but I'm not an artiste on any ONE instrument, if that makes sense. Yet, I'd have to audition on one instrument to get into the music education program at UConn. That said, if I decide to go for it in a year or two, then the flute becomes a tool of the trade, not a hobby, and that's a different story.

--Judy