Klarinet Archive - Posting 000511.txt from 1996/07

From: "Dana... ... ..." <MOCKD@-----.EDU>
Subj: bands, library assignments, etc..
Date: Fri, 26 Jul 1996 14:13:15 -0400

>>Reply to: "Shari D. Smith" <Shdesmith@-----.COM>

"Several years ago a friend of mine, concerned about employment
prospects for clarinetists, urged me and others to apply for military
bands. I laughed at him. Two years later I found myself applying
for just such a position out of desperation. Four years of out-of-
state doctoral work had taken its toll on my finances...."

I have a few questions about military bands. How did you find out
about the auditions? What qualifications are required to be in one
(both playing ability and health, etc)? I'm currently a college
senior--undergraduate--majoring in Music Business Administration, and
looking for "avenues" to take to find a good job I enjoy. I enjoy
being in band (both marching and concert) and enjoy playing my
clarinet. My college work is/will be very soon taking a toll on my
finances too.

Pertaining to the discussion about library assignments to
clarinetists, I think this idea is very important. My teacher
doesn't stress things like this (He does assign things like that once
in a great moon), but I mainly "assign" work like this on my
own. I think it is important to know more about the music (or/and
the instrument) than how "fast" one can move their fingers or how
"loud" one can play. (Granted those concepts are important too.) I
think there is more to it than that to fully understand how AND why
the clarinet (or the music) is put together in its own unique way.

I would also like to have some advice on something totally different.
I plan to have a senior recital next semester (in March hopefully)
and have finally finished deciding on what pieces I would like to
play. The list is:

Petite Piece...Claude Debussy
Fantasie-Caprice...Charles Lefebvre
Scherzo Brillante...Paul Jeanjean
Sonata...Francis Poulenc

Does anyone out there have any advice pertaining to these pieces? I
have been having trouble "tracking" down a recording in our
university library for the Jeanjean piece. Anyone know of any good
recordings? and how to get them? Also with the Jeanjean piece what
is a good tempo? I am not sure what to take it at.

Any advice/suggestions or comments about any of them will be VERY
helpful. I have been "listening" to this list for the past few
months and have learned a lot from it. This is my first time trying
this, so I hope it works!!!

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Dana
mockd@-----.edu