Klarinet Archive - Posting 001210.txt from 1998/04

From: "Craig E. Countryman" <cegc@-----.net>
Subj: Re: The right to audition
Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 22:32:21 -0400

Roger Garrett wrote:

> I usually think of Craig's postings as quite thoughtful and curiously
> refreshing. My thoughts regarding this one are that he has, perhaps, very
> little experience in the area of hiring and firing.

Boy, with an intro like this I could imagine things are headed downhill. Quite
true, I don't have much personal experience so this is why I thought I'd submit my
views, and hopefully learn a thing or two about this issue.

> For every job that is open, there will be a large percentage of people who
> send resumes for consideration who are, quite understandably, unqualified.
> They do not know they are unqualified, so they apply. That is why there
> is a process of application and consideration by a committee of such
> applications and resumes.
>
>

I just find it surprising that a major symphony cannot attract 200-300
clarinetists. Considering that many of these symphonies would attract (I assume)
people from all over the nation I, not knowing any better, would assume you could
find enough people.

> Being able to do the job is important. However, being virtuostic, at
> least in the case of the NSO, is a requirement. Therefore, Craig seems to
> understand that some, if not most, of the people who aspire to audition
> are probably unqualified for the position.
>

Again, not being a seasoned orchestral player I would not know the requirements of
some repertoire, but I think there comes a point where one can play all the
material, and then all those that exceed that point. So, perhaps one could get by
with one of the lower players but end up picking one of the "virtuosos".

> The secondary issue of, "how do we have enough [competent clarinetists?] to teach
> at our universities, make solo appearances, etc, etc." really has
> very little to do with playing in a professional orchestra. I could have
> remained in Oregon and played in the symphony there.....I chose to pursue
> a teaching career that included, along with it, a multitude of performance
> opportunities. I value the release time during vacations and summers, the
> paid trips to further my development as a teacher/performer, and the flex
> time (I don't have to go into school if I don't teach on a particular day)
> associated with college teaching. Quite frankly, compared to the hectic
> schedule of the symphony performer, I made the personal decision to stick
> with teaching. Some do not follow that path...and that is fine. But,
> most of our professional teachers are extremely qualified to perform in a
> major symphony orchestra.........Klug, Spring, Mandat, Storey,
> Ludwig-Verhder, and the list goes on and on........play much better than
> people I have heard in major symphony orchestras!
>
> The fact remains - many people apply who will waste the time of the
> committe auditioning for a position they are unqualified for - that is why
> we have resumes and tapes to help make those decisions in advance.
>
> Roger Garrett
> IWU

Hmmm..... well I find this very interesting and informative (as I do all of your
posts Roger). Thanks for the information on this issue.

-----------------------------------------------------
Craig Countryman
cegc@-----.net
www.sneezy.org/clarinet/YPP/Craig.html
Present Project: Weber's Concertino, Op.26
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