Hi all!

I am a sophomore in high school who has been playing the flute since fifth grade.

I want to major in music education (maybe performance, most likely not).

By this age, what would do you think would make me "on track" for this? Basically, what do I need to have accomplished by time?

I'm wondering because I have to switch teachers when I move (obviously) and I'm afraid I'm behind (although I am in my school's wind ensemble).

Thanks!

J.A.,
The answer can depend upon whether or not you wish to be an Educator or a performer.
I would have to say that if you want to be a music major on flute, you should be practicing about 1-3 hours a day on your flute at this time and taking piano lessons as well.
When you move, find the BEST teacher that you can dig up and work for them hard. Ask questions and learn what they teach you.
Start listening to classical music, flute players and other instruments too.

If you wish to be a school band director, branch out on your instruments. AS an example try sax, clarinet, strings and some brass eventually. Try some jazz too!

but if you wish flute performance in a major symphony, then a major amount of flute concentration with the best teachers is necessary. The number of players that make it in the profession as a symphony flutist are about = to the number of HS kids that end up in pro sports. About 0.002%. If that concept discourages you then you should reconsider and take Music Ed.

Hey Bilbo! I think I remember you when I used to be here...

I want to be an educator. I do know basic piano, so that's not a big deal (although I should take lessons when I move - a piano comes with the house we're most likely going to get!).

I already love classical music &love listening to flute players.

I knew that a small number play professionally - I know how competitive the flute world is.

I mean, I basically have almost all the minor scales &all the major scales memorized (I think)...should there be any music level I should be at?

Continue with your scales. Get some daily study books. Such as the Taffanel and Gaubert 17 Daily. You should now be starting to play some etudes. Andersen, Koehler, Boehm, Karg-Elert and all that stuff. Check out Melodious and Progressive studies volumes 1-4 published by Southern Music Company for a start. Do some tone studies and then get into some solos.

One way to approach this is to dig up your fravorite university and see if their flute teacher's list of repertoire is posted on line.
Some stuff to peruse on this.
http://www.larrykrantz.com/entrance.htm

http://music.uoregon.edu/Admissions/auditionsugrad.html

http://artsonline.cfa.arizona.edu/music/flute/wp-content/docs/AppliedFluteCourseMaterials.htm

http://www.larrykrantz.com/tips.htm

Remember, the more you are prepared, the better your time is going to be and the more that you will learn once you get there.

As Mus.Ed. student, your major in flute isn't as concentrated. You will take some Ed classes. Some Music Ed. classes such as brass or percussion methods. (not nearly enough of the other instruments to be a really qualified director on a school.) Conducting classes, Music Theory (Prepare for that in your piano lessons).

Look at your potential schools online or contact them directly and ask them for suggestions.

~Bilbo
N.E. Ohio

I'm working on Anderson etudes now. I also am working on Melodious and Progressive studies volumes 1, I think, and last year worked on Trevor Wye tone &articulations book. I'm also working on Filas' high register studies.

This is really helping me, and I thank you so much! However, I do want to study in Europe possibly, and aren't reqs different over there?

I do plan to take AP Music Theory senior year at my new school.

Keep in mind that I am speaking about U.S. education systems. For the best info about studying and working in another country such as Germany or France you'd need to speak with a music educator trained and teaching in that country. If you plan on teaching in a foreign country, for God sakes, know the language and their customs. That being said,

"......However, I do want to study in Europe possibly, and aren't reqs different over there?"

Yes.
The particulars may be different but the basic structure is going to be rather similar. The British have a system of levels. http://www.rcm.ac.uk/ (I'm sure that there are interent people involved in it that can help you with that far more than I.)
I was told yesterday by a knowledgeable flutist (Jean Baxtresser) that there is more importance put on those Etudes in France. I als think that fundimental European instrumental music teaching puts more emphasis on solfeggio. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solfege But again check with the individual university or college music school on your pre-requirements.

"I do plan to take AP Music Theory senior year at my new school."

This type of high school course generally gives the student a basic knowledge that gets them to pass out of a pre mus. theory "materials of music" class.
In my univ., that class is for people without any background in theory. There may be two years of theory on top of that. Music theory can be a stickler for many students because of a lack of pre college experience in it or a lack of basic piano keyboard skills. It can stop them from graduating or delay them from getting out in 4 years. As a warning, even if you are a good student, it may easily take 5 years to graduate in Music Ed. I would still suggest piano lessons for all college music majors and a piano teacher who understands that you are intending this course of study. A good piano teacher who is sensitive to this may be able to teach you some theory such as chords, transposition, modulations, part writing, solfeggio as well as ear training to propare you. I can't stress this preperation part enough.

One other point, If you plan on teaching in a U.S. public school then you'd need to be certified in that state where you are teaching. This would involve taking certain education courses in that state's accredited universities. ~great health care benefits are one incentive to do this. I would guess that on top of your foreign education (although very good) you may need about two years of local accredited study to be certified in any given state. If you get certified in one state and you wish to teach in another, you'd again need some further education to get that state's teaching certification. The specific amount of further study would depend upon each individual state's requirements and is dependent on their need for qualified teachers in general. Calif. for example may be taking any teachers that are able to breathe, have a pulse and that speak some Spanish. Although I'm not so sure about the Spanish or the pulse. Texas may require a course in Texas history.

~Bilbo
N.E. Ohio