Competition Solos, Book 1 Flute/Oboe: Flute Book

These selections capture a playful, accessible spirit. You'll find folk-inspired melodies like Cripple Creek and Harvest Waltz alongside character pieces like Dance of the Bears and The Tortoise and the Hare that invite expressive storytelling. The writing emphasizes clarity and charm over technical pyrotechnics, letting the flute sing.

Flute and oboe students preparing for state or regional competitions who need accessible, musically satisfying solos that meet official adjudication requirements. This collection works well for intermediate students beginning to navigate the solo competition process and want exposure to multiple styles within a single volume.

• Download the audio files using the codes included in your book and listen to professional performances multiple times before rehearsing. Hearing the phrasing and articulation patterns first accelerates learning.
• Check the specific requirements for your state competition early in the season. Not every piece in this book qualifies in every state, so confirm your selection with your director or state music association before investing practice time.
• Work through the accompaniment in the separate piano book with your collaborative pianist, even if you're primarily practicing alone. The interplay between flute and piano clarifies phrasing and helps you land on the accompanist's tempo.
• Isolate the passages where the flute jumps between registers or navigates awkward finger patterns. These moments need extra attention to sound seamless and confident under performance pressure.

Use this book as your primary resource for students auditioning for state competitions. Assign different pieces to students based on their current level and expressive interests, then schedule coachings with your accompanist starting at least six weeks before your state deadline. The variety means multiple students can be working from the same book without overlapping repertoire.

• Navigating moderate key signatures in the upper staff
• Executing clean articulation and tonguing patterns in varied melodic contexts
• Adapting phrasing to reflect the character of folk and character piece styles
• Reading and responding to piano accompaniment cues
• Building endurance in sustained passages without fatigue or loss of tone quality