Klarinet Archive - Posting 000803.txt from 1997/08

From: "Craig E. G. Countryman" <cegc@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Contests
Date: Mon, 18 Aug 1997 23:37:42 -0400

Point well taken Mark! But, many other things in my area require a
clarinetist to perform a concerto or something from the standard
repertoire. For instance, our local symphony features students playing
concertos once a year. I usually do some solo work with my community
band (of which I am a member), and it is much easier for me to learn one
or two things that I can use a lot, as opposed to learning a special,
shorter piece for S & E. Also, it is a big strain for pianists to have
to learn multiple pieces, rehearse, and perform them. After laying the
Copland on mine it's a wonder he still talks to me, never mind the other
stuff.

A limit must be set, but I think that perhaps a "double-blocking" system
could be set up so that students with longer pieces could be given more
time. We are not talking about the majority of kids here, in fact it's
less than 5 percent I'd bet. So why not help out these kids, and let
them show off more?

S & E is one of my major performances of the year, and while there is
some opportunity for more solo work, in a smaller town like mine you
have to work at it.

In the long term, if you want to be up there with the best, you have to
learn pieces like the Mozart, Webers, Copland, etc... so why not do it
now, and have a chance to be rewarded for your efforts?

We come from two different viewpoints, adjudicator and student, but
there is much common ground. Surely judges would be delighted to hear
an excellent performance of a top notch selection, much better than
someone fumbling around quarter and eighth notes (no offense aimed at
those who the entails). While it might appear easier to just say cut
it, is that really a solution?

And if you're going to make a kid cut something, TELL HIM WHERE! I'm
going to be really ticked if I have a judge who marks me down merely
because he didn't like my cuts. I would have played the whole thing in
the first place anyway...

Finally, I would like to credit Florida judges. I played a twelve
minute selection last year and got away with it. Most judges don't cut
you off unless it's a real strain. They usually have extra time anyway,
through the time vacated by last minute cancellations and no shows,
which are a little too frequent here.

--
Craig Countryman
cegc@-----.net
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/1711
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