Klarinet Archive - Posting 000350.txt from 1996/03

From: "Daniel A. Paprocki" <dap@-----.US>
Subj: Re: clarinetists in Philadelphia Orchestra
Date: Wed, 13 Mar 1996 12:18:23 -0500

Chris,
I'm not sure. In big auditions (or medium) some people (know
quantities) do get byes for the first or second round. It's a common
practice but then again some orchestras don't do that and some big names do
get shot down in the first round for whatever reason.
Auditions are a different animal. The trick is to get into big
auditions. Chicago lets all come and play (it might be for 3 minutes but
you do get a chance). Boston was very hard to get invited if you weren't
already playing full time. Cleveland was next to impossible to get in if
you weren't a "name" or didn't go to CMI (Cleveland Inst of music). They
only had about 40 people for 2 positions - most auditions will listen to
60 to 100 for 1 position. By the way the union is powerless in getting you
into an audition. Sometimes you just have to show up and take your chances
that they will let you play. This is assuming that you're totally
prepared, have complete parts to the audition list music (not just excerpt
books!!), know the piece (not just the clarinet part), and feel that you
could do the job. The best way to prepare is to study with someone in an
orchestra who has won some auditions.
I always feel that the clarinets that show up for a normal audition
(80-100 people) can be divided into quarters. 1/4 shouldn't be there (not
prepared, no clue to tempos, etc), 2/4 are almost there (good players,
maybe they haven't built their audition chops up or audition nerves, maybe
bad reed day, etc) and 1/4 who could do the job. So out of 80 clarinet
there might be 10-20 that could win, ah but there's only one winner and 79
non-winners (not losers).
Right notes are taken for granted, as are correct tempos, dynamics,
articulations. Rythym and intonation usually elimilate most 1st round
people. For example counting rests in the Beethoven 6 Mvt II or an
unsteady tempo in the Mozart Concerto.
There's a saying in racing, "If you don't want to play with the big
dogs, stay on the porch". Only go to an audition if your ready. Know the
tutti sections, don't have a weak piece (that you hope they won't ask),
have a case of good reeds not 1. Don't spend $300-400 on plane tickets,
hotel, and food unless you honestly (tricky word) feel that you have a
chance.

Dan

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Daniel A. Paprocki
dap@-----.us

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