Klarinet Archive - Posting 000840.txt from 1998/11

From: "Craig Earl Countryman" <cegc@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Area All-State
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 10:43:24 -0500

>Anyway, sitting in that section made me realize that...well... I stink at
>the clarinet! Compared to some of those other players, I'm terrible!

I know how you feel. I was sitting 10th chair last year in the 11th and
12th grade Florida All-State Band, and I began to wonder how I got to be so
high. The thing for me was that I had to focus on what I was doing, not
everyone around me. The music was SO hard that if you don't have total
concentration on what you are doing, and are instead listening to everyone
around you, you mess stuff up -- even things you've worked on for HOURS to
prepare.

I always find opportunities like that inspiring because I think, hey if
these people can tounge so fast or have such great technique why can't I?
There are some people that you just aren't going to beat, but I think that
you'll find a lot of people you look up to now you may be able to surpass
next year if you practice hard and have a good audition.

>But, I have to complain. Don't you all think that a section should be
>PREPARED before attending a rehearsal for a weekend and then a BIG
>concert? The 3rd clarinet section especially was appalling. Some were
>constantly practicing during rehearsal (BAD) and some couldn't even count
>out the measures.... some came in too early...some too late..
>I admit I made a few mistakes, but GEEZ, at least i knew the MUSIC!!

The preparation was pretty good for our section, but there were a few
slackers. I know that many people are good, but they are engaged in other
things such as All-County auditions, solo preparation, etc, and they don't
get around to working up their music until a week or so before.
Unfortunately for them, if the band is playing high caliber music that just
isn't enough time! It's always interesting for me once the entire group is
together because the first few times I hear something I learn a lot about
how things fit together and when my entrances are, etc. Hopefully, you're
3rds could get it together before the concert!

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Craig Earl Countryman
cegc@-----.net
http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/YPP/Craig.html
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/1711/
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