Feeling a bit anxious as I must select music for my first ever competition that will be held in April. I have tossed around many ideas but really want something cool but level appropriate. I will skate in the pre bronze level. I have reviewed the required elements and it appears to only allow 1/2 jumps. (disappointed about this as I like the salchow the best now!).

Would love to hear your input about music selection for this level and any espeically any suggestions for the preparing a program. My coach said she will bring me a bunch of CDs she has that are skating appropriate. However, I just do not feel confident that she will be too much help in giving direction as she is not that into adult competitions. I don't think she grasps what a big deal this is to me. It feels like she just wants to throw something together. I am pre judging this because we have only had one conversation about it so far. I have my lesson today and will re evaluate her level of commitment to assisting me.

My partner is actually degreed in music therapy but the suggestions from that perspective do seem a bit grandiose for my level. I think using a therapy foundation and interpretation would maybe help the over all performance though.

I am also curious if it is the coach that actually designs the program or if you give input at this level.

Any and all thoughts are appreciated. Thank you in advance! (You guys do know you are my secondary coaches...don't cha?)

I started a program last year, but never went anywhere with it. This year, I'm trying again with different music.

In the first program, I chose music that got my blood stirring - a spicy Spanish number. However I quickly discovered that the fast tempo of the music provided a bigger challenge than I expected. I never used this program. My advice is to be conservative with your music choice so you don't have to rush around trying to keep up with it.

This year I gave into another adult skater's desire to get me onto competitive ice and agreed to put together a program. She chose the music and initially planned the program. Wisely she's given me veto power over footwork elements that she initially suggested because a) there are other elements I can do easier and that I like better, and b) she's recently been in the same boat with her own coach being forced into elements that she dislikes.

My advice is to work with your coach and make sure she works with you on the program. You know what you feel comfortable doing better than she does. Through discussion and compromise you can both choose elements that are doable and enjoyable.

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Bill Schneider

Pick out something you love - it will be a better performance, and you will be hearing it again and again and again.

One of the most common problems in early programs is that skaters pick out music that is beyond what they can skate to, or does not feature or present their best style, or distract from their skating.

Think about your style, lyrical? contemporary? Athletic, fun or graceful?
In general be careful of anythting too fast or commanding. Many people think picking a slow lyrical piece is easier. It actually brings more attention to the form of the skater, so be sure you can point those toes, and extend! It's not a great choice for skaters without good positions.

In working with a coach, take a look at the pieces he/she picks out for their students. Does it fit the student's strengths or the coaches? I or my pairs partner have always picked out my/our music, but I have a background in music. I choreographed a piece for one skater and I absolutely hated the music! But he loved it and it fit his style and he really performed it well.

Be aware that your music needs a begining, middle and end. This can be difficult with the shorter times, as with bronze and interp. A good place to look is sound tracks and overtures.
Enjoy - I love picking out my music.

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Recycle Love - Adopt a homeless pet

Wow Dallas, what PERFECT timing! I am in exactly the same spot (with the same time line)!

I have been through 4 different "phases" so far. I find music I like, start putting together a program and then realize, like Bill, that it is beyond my abilities or just "isn't me", and I scrap it. Then I do the same thing again with a different piece of music. I THINK I finally have a piece that will suit me, make a nice program, and isn't beyond me.

I am trying to get together with my coach to talk about a program but it just isn't happening. She has very strong ideas of her own and I think she'd like to just do the whole thing for me but that isn't me either - if I don't "own it", I wont be able to put myself into it 100%.

I have downloaded a zillion pieces of music, gone through my collection of records and tapes, and picked out the dozen most promissing pieces and put them on a CD. In the wee hours of this morning, I put the CD on and all the lights off, laid back in the recliner, and listened to the CD over and over again. One piece of music started to choreograph itself in my head and it "fit" - it fit with my skill level, my style of skating, and my personality. I will now work with this piece some more and see if it continues to "fit" as I work it up.

(I emailed the music, costume ideas, and "flavour" of the routine to my coach - no comment yet! I guess I will find out in lesson tomorrow what she thinks of it.)

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Dianne
(A.O.S.S.? Got it BAD! )

My best advice for you is, once you've picked out some music, take it to the rink & put it on & just skate around a bit with it--often music that sounds reasonably slow when you're sitting listening to it, becomes unreasonably fast when you're actually moving to it out on the ice!

Also pick something you can stand to hear jillions of times (I play it over & over in the car while I drive as a litmus test).

All the other suggestions so far a great too.

ITA! I'm cutting the music for my new Bronze freestyle program (it's 1st time I've ever cut music!) and my 1st cut sounded MUCH faster on the rink's sound system than it did on my computer @ home.

So now I'm going to recut that part of the music so I don't have to kill myself to keep up with it!

WOW exciting news! First competition is very scary but don't worry they are all just as scarry from here on .

As opposed to the wonderful advice above, may I put in a vote for NOT being conservative. Go with whatever music makes you feel like skating just a bit better than you can actually skate. This program isn't for the judges, its not for advancing you to sectionals, its to help you skate better so skate to the music you'd like to be able to skate to!

You already have that sneaking suspicion you're going to come in last right? OK, we all do, so if I'm going to come in last I just want to have some fun doing it. Dress up and pretend.
Lyle

I'll second this!!! For what it's worth, I play each competition as though it's my "show spotlight" piece (since I don't get them in the shows). It's my time to shine-all by myself on the ice!

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

What competition is this for? Pre-bronze should allow single jumps including toe loop, salchow, loop, and flip as well as half jumps.

You are going to do great! But of course you know that I am a big chicken, and I think you are so brave! DD's and I will be cheering you on!

SpaMama

That's right. In Pre-bronze, there is no lutz or axel allowed, but you are allowed to do all of the other single jumps, even in combination. So do your salchow and maybe even a salchow-toeloop!

What kind of music would you like to skate to? For my very first program, I skated to the main theme from Dr. Zhivago and it was perfect because I managed to find a cut of it on the soundtrack that was already the right length for a Pre-Bronze/Bronze program. I ended up doing a good job with that program because I loved the music so much. I think it is very important to love your music, whatever that may be.

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"You don't have to put an age limit on your dreams." - Dara Torres, 41, after her 2nd medal at the 2008 Olympics

Why do you think this? After all, you've only talked about it once. Listen to your coach's CDs with an open mind. Chances are, she's choreographed (and seen) lots of competition programs so she will likely have a lot of insight into what works best for your skating level and for a comp. As to whether she is "into" adult comps, that's not really the point - there is not much difference between adult and kid comps as far as the process of music selection and choreography goes - music should be appropriate for your age and skating ability and the program should be something that you enjoy skating to and shows off your skills. Obviously, working with a young beginner skater and an adult are different...and it sounds like your coach is seeking your feedback and input in an apprpriate manner.

What you should probably be asking is if your coach has experience in putting programs together and the degree to which she is willing to listen to your suggestions and the type of music she is recommending. If she recommends a "kiddie" piece (like Disney music or some other kid-oriented music), then perhaps it's time to seek another opinion....but wait and see what happens and be optimistic about it. If your coach doesn't do a lot of choreo, then perhaps you should suggest (if your coach doesn't on her own) that another coach work with you on the program. Your coach can work with you on the execution of the elements and you can have supplemental lessons with the other coach on the choreo and the performance/presentation.

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Terri C is a Bronze lady!
Gold Moves, here I come!

It's possible that these CDs have music already cut to certain lengths. Bring your choices with you as well and pick the music together. If you choose something that s/he doesn't have already cut, perhaps your partner can bring it down to the proper length. (BTW, have him/her check the timing with a stopwatch.)

As for WHO does the choreography, it can be a joint effort if you have the confidence and if your skating styles are in synch. I have a prelim student that wants to do knee slides every five seconds, so I have to reign him in a bit, but frankly he's fun and flexible about adjusting the program to fit the music and work around his skating skills.

One observation: if your "style" is strong, a coach that does "delicate" choreography may not be the best mix. It will challenge you to try and do all the little toe steps and light little skips, but it can also be frustrating when you're not a tiny little kid who's in her fifth year of ballet. Just a word to the wise.

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FWIW my first program was to La Grange by ZZtop, current is PVC-4 from blueman group Lots of silly stuff in between
Lyle

Bill: Thanks for the advice! I think you are right about finding a tempo I can actually do elements and keep time! eeek!

Flo: Great idea to first pick a style and then think about music!

Rusty: Awesome that you are already able to choreograph! I fear this aspect as I have no experience with this but also look forward to the challenge. I love that you will be doing your first one the same time I am! We are in it together!

Phoenix: Oh that makes total sense! I will have all week and think I will try some of the music out at the rink to see if it feels as good as it sounds!

Flyingcamel: Good luck with the music re cut. Sounds hard!

Lyle: I had to LOL at your post! The part where you said " You already have that sneaking suspicion you're going to come in last right?" ...my immediate thought was ...Yes, but a secret hope that I will land first! giggle. I have a competitive streak left from childhood! You should have seen me in dodge ball! I love your attitude. Dress up and pretend is such great advice. Would love to see you perform Blue man! Too funny!

Skate@Delaware: Wonderful perspective. I hope I will feel brave when the day comes to take that spotlight.

Ellyn: It is for the local skate club yearly competition called Skate Dallas. The information about it is not yet out but the one they are hosting in January (that I will not skate in) had pre bronze elements listed and only allowed 1/2 jumps. Did email them asking if Skate Dallas event for pre bronze might offer full jumps. I also found it odd that they limited to 1/2 jumps.

SpaMama: I know your DD will be in it too....but for my 1 minute and forty seconds....I want you as my mom! giggle....

Doubletoe: I have really been thinking hard about the music I love best. I love so many different styles it is hard to pick! I think I will take heed to how many times I will have to hear it to make sure I really, really love it!

Debbie: Thanks for your words. You would just have to know my coach! giggle. I did meet with her today and I think it is going to be just fine.

Isk8NYC: What a hoot that your student wants to do a ton of knee slides! I for one hope a knee slide does not sneak into my program at all! giggle. After meeting with her today, she made it clear that we will design the program together. It helped me to feel better as I know she has lots of experience and I can have input!

What great advice you guys had! I am so grateful that you are willing to share your thoughts with me. It makes me feel supported. Thank you!

I have the CD's from my coach. She did well to listen to how seriously I was taking the process. Started listening on my drive home from the rink. So far I have two tracks from Robinhood that I really like. (Of course worried about what kind of costume this selection would put me in!) I have had some thoughts about doing a program to honor my love of the ocean. I do not wear my title of "cruise queen" lightly! Maybe Titanic? giggle.

Heading back to the rink for my fs and power stroking classes. Each time in the car is another opportunity to listen for that "perfect" selection.

Hey Dallas, I sent you an email about the January comp.......

Of course Ill be your "mom" at Skate Dallas - what kind of stuffed animal do you want me to throw on the ice???

Spa Mama

I'll echo this! I just did my first competition last weekend and skated to an edit of Classical Gas. I absolutely LOVE this music but it's very fast. I skate fast, but the song is so fast that I was consumed with keeping up and never was able to chill out and set up the jumps like I should have. We are dumping it and doing a new program.

Good luck!!! It was fun but scary. Good to get the first one over.

Yup, right up to our respective necks!

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Dianne
(A.O.S.S.? Got it BAD! )

Debbie S. brought up a good point. I am my coach's first adult student to compete. Although she wasn't that familiar with adult competitions, she is competent at choreography and artistry for a skater's level and for highlighting a skater's talents. That is the important thing.

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

Green tights, green boot covers, and a feather in your hat, of course! Either that or the whole Maid Marian thing...

Seriously, enjoy selecting your music and program. Even though you know you're not heading to the Olympics, you do take your skating seriously, so this your time to shine. Have fun! (And enjoy the green tights!)

(From a fraidy cat non-performer... )

SpaMama: Here's the deal with having an "older child".... You may have noticed that as your daughters grow, their interests and tastes seem to get more and more expensive! I am of the age of being much more practical with my idea of positive reinforcements. Therefore, mom, I require gift certificates to the Malls starting at the 100 dollar range thrown to me!!! in place of stuff animals to truly feel loved, nurtured and supported. Otherwise, I will develop abandonment issues! I will accuse you of loving your other daughters better! Giggle!

Looplover: Thanks....on my drives so far I am noticing that I am more drawn to the powerful music. I will definitely keep that in mind.

Rusty: LOL

Skate@Delaware: Glad you have that kind of coach. Mine is a bit burned out so I think that is part of the problem. She really wants to teach the very elite kids as she did in her former job. She is newer to our State and I think is disappointed.

Aussie: That was my exact fear! LOL...where does one get green tights?! I considered a track from Free Willy to go with my desire to get an ocean theme but then pictured me in a killer whale skate dress! lol (SpaMama is going to comment on the fact that my practice wear is mostly black with white accents! eeek....)

At the Bunny Hop a few weeks ago we blew up little beach balls, wrote their names on them, and threw them on the ice. How bout if I just try and bean you with one on your head as you are taking your bow!!!!???? Will that show the love????

You know my every last dime is going towards the first two dd's, but I would love to give you some gift certificates for some more colored fleece!!!!

Spa Mama

SpaMama: That is a riot! giggle.

SpaMama: OMG...and I bought blue just for you!