So, I just got back from trying out for all-district band, and I made 7th chair symphonic band out of 77 flutes... I am glad that I made the band, but, I practice three hours a day, which is probably more that some of the other flutes practiced in an entire week... I feel horrible...I am debating whether to give up on the flute or practice harder... please comment...

Sometimes, it's not how much you practice, but HOW you practice.

Are you doing tone exercises? Can you get in tune, and stay in tune, even in the third register? Can you play EVERY one of the 24 major and minor scales, 2 octaves in 16th notes, from memory, with a metronome set at quarter note =100?

Many times we practice to enjoy playing. There is NOTHING wrong with this- but it often does not improve our playing much. If you want to improve, find out what is easy and what is hard- and after a good warm-up, work on the HARD stuff. You will improve much faster.

I am going to recommend Trevor Wye's Practice Books For The Flute, Omnibus edition. These should give you a good idea of what you can work on to improve.

OK, Second question- should you quit? I'd say no. It sounds to me like you have tremendous drive and ambition. And who would practice 3 hours a day if they didn't like the flute?

You haven't told us if this is your first year or not. Also, even if we practice REALLY hard, some people are truly exceptionally talented musicians, and we aren't likely to out-play them very often. Just enjoy their company, and learn from them.

Some advice from another thread: it really doesn't matter who gets which chair in the long run. Learn what you can, and enjoy the experience. First chair out of 10 in the Podunk Community Band means a LOT less than 3rd chair in the San Fransisco Symphony. I would be PROUD to sit in a good flute section with talented musicians. That is much more fun, to me, than getting all the solo parts in a band where the other flutes can barely play the music, much less stay in tune.

Well first of all, keep in mind that it's not quantity of practice, but quality that counts. You can practice 3 hours a day, but if the others (assuming they start at the same level) practice just an hour a day, but do so in a more focused and goal-oriented manner, then they are likely to progress faster. Not to mention that auditions very rarely are an overview of skill. The results just show who played better in one given audition. You may or may not have deserved a higher seat, but the auditors gave you a place in the band over 70 other flutists, and that's something you should be proud of. Keep practicing, and maybe next year you'll place higher.

My advice, play because you want to, becuause you love to, don't play for a chair placement. It doesn't matter if you are "good enough" if you are playing because you have the passion for it, then that is what is good.

Dont stress out too much. I mean, 7 out 70!
Thats better than not getting in at all.
The other 63 people would be envying you for getting in that place.

Dont stress out too much. Think positive not negative.
And as my teacher last year kept saying in the class; "Do Something Constructive not Destructive"

Wow congratulations! I know you feel down but just making it into district band is a triumph to your playing! I know many good flutists who tried and didn't make it so it can be extremely competative. I tried out several times and never made it. Not to mention how nerve racking b/c you wait with the other flutists and it to me at least seemed like a bizilion so it can be very daunting. I agree with what Kara stated about trying not to focus so much on chair placement. I mean you want to advance and maybe yes that includes advancing chair placement but I found concentrating on this can cause too much pressure and stress when you can divert that energy to more focused practice as others stated. Also keeping in mind someone will allways be better than you so just learn from them. That has been the added bonus to improve my playing, listening and learning from more advance players in a community band I play in and listening to many flute recordings even of the same peices or even just 30sec advertised clips. Anyway sounds like you are already doing a great job. Take all the above mentioned advice. I think long tones helps tremendously with your tone at least helped me and try to find slow etudes and concentrate on the tone helps also. Oh and knowing all your scale by heart helps tremendously with peices. A lot of times runs may be parts of that scale or variations so 75-99% of the work is already done if you know your scales. Good luck to you and enjoy district band!