Klarinet Archive - Posting 000064.txt from 1997/05

From: dap@-----. Paprocki)
Subj: RE: Competition Piece
Date: Fri, 2 May 1997 18:17:19 -0400

When your selecting a piece for competition. There are a few things to consider.
1) How hard are the string parts? Ask some violin collegues or the
conductor. If you don't have a strong (deep) string program you don't want
to do an extremely demanding string piece such as the Copland.

2) How hard will it be to put together? Some concerto programs only have 4
or 5 rehearsals which isn't alot of time for a college group. Remember you
want an excellent performance which means both you and the group. Mozart,
Weber, Krommer, etc all go together pretty easily. Nielsen, Copland,
Hindemith - we're talking more rehearsal time to get things together.

3) Is the piece in the orchestra's library or can it be rented or
purchased. If it is a rental, how much? University orchestras do have a
budget. Or is it even available from somewhere? Manevich - good piece but
do you know how to get the parts? Don't assume that every clarinet
concerto in print for clarinet and piano is easy to get in orchestral form.

4) Length. Sometimes it might be better to go with a shorter piece -
Debussy, Rossini, Weber Concertino. This might fit in better with the
orchestras program for that concert or if there are two winners you might
have a better chance of being selected.

Dan

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Daniel A. Paprocki
Instructor of Clarinet
Malone College
Kent State University - Stark Campus
dap@-----.us

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