Klarinet Archive - Posting 000778.txt from 1997/10

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: auditions
Date: Sat, 18 Oct 1997 15:05:59 -0400

On Sat, 18 Oct 1997, Craig E. G. Countryman wrote:

> what excerpts are most commonly
> asked for, and where I might obtain copies. Those in Orchestral Excerpt
> books usually aren't in full, so is one expected to play an entire
> piece, or just parts, and what if the part asked for isn't there? Is it
> better to obtain full copies of this stuff?

I will respond only to the second part of the question.

When I studied with David Shifrin, he pulled out a huge stack of
music....original and photocopied parts. The originals were of single
parts to the orchestra works for which excerpts were asked. The
photocopies were of the single parts that were rental only.....and he had
second, third, and fourth generation copies of that material. He told me
one should always practice off of the full part.....know every note and
nuance.....one never knows what they will ask for. My first orchestral
audition took place in Portland, OR - it was for 3rd cl/bass clar. of the
Oregon Symphony. The first excerpt asked for was the Grand Canyon
Suite. I had practiced for six months on the list, and was
ultra-prepared. I borrowed Shifrin's then new selmer short bass, and I
knew almost every note from memory. However, I had been unable to locate
an original or a copy of the full Grand Canyon Bass Clarinet part, so I
was operating only from the excerpt book (published by Roncorp). The
first excerpt asked for was the section in B Major marked Presto
in "On the Trail......and it involved all the cross fingerings - what a
mess! They heard all of the bass clarinet and some of the clarinet, but
I'll never know why. I wouldn't have continued listening to me if I were
on the panel after that first excerpt!

Full parts can be ordered through music dealers. You might look through
libraries of different colleges and ask to copy......but it is not legal.
The rental stuff is another thing altogether.....while I do not advocate
breaking the law, it is unreasonable to ask someone to rent a full part
whenever there is an audition. Therefore, copy them and keep them safe.
Plan to play off a clean copy owned by the Symphony that you are
auditioning for - they often will not let you use your own music.
Finally.....have friends who can locate or provide such rental parts for
you!

Good luck!

Roger Garrett