Klarinet Archive - Posting 000783.txt from 1998/08

From: Edmund William White <ewwhite@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] Bad Audition (on bass clarinet)
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1998 10:08:52 -0400

I just returned from my University of Illinois band placement
auditions. As y'all know, I'm the cocky, young, bass clarinet player who
forced himself into debt to purchase a new Buffet low C horn. I am
beginning to have problems with auditions, however. I am a big jazz bass
player. I also enjoy playing in a good wind symphony or orchestra. I
went into my placement audition today as a principal
all-state/all-district player in both the classical and jazz idioms. I
exited the audition room humiliated by my auditioner and seriously
doubting my ability as a bass clarinetist. Perhaps this missive could be
simplified by asking the following question: Should vibrato be used on
bass clarinet? I have enjoyed positive attention from almost every band
director/conductor/auditioner I've encountered with regards to my tone on
the bass. Today was different. Prepared to wrest expressive noise from
the beastly conglomeration of wood and silver commonly known as my
Buffet 1193-2, I began to play the required excerpt from Mark Camphouse's
"Watchman, Tell Us of the Night". Midway through what I felt was a good
interpretation of Camphouse's work, my eye looked up and met the disgusted
look of my auditioner. He was cringing at every adagio half note held
with vibrato, the way I attempted to swell and contract with the musical
lines. I could tell, he didn't like my style. Ouch. To add insult to
injury, he concluded the audition with, "We'll place you SOMEWHERE. Most
likely NOT the top band. You're just starting. Maybe
you'll have some time to acquaint yourself with that pretty horn of
yours." What does that mean?!?! In any case, what's the deal with vibrato
usage? I like it, and as a solo player (in most cases - I don't usually
have to blend with a section), I think its use is justifiable. Every
other wind instrument can use vibrato........

Edmund White
ewwhite@-----.edu

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