Klarinet Archive - Posting 000054.txt from 2000/06

From: Spike Spiegel <jnohe@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bass-clarinet audition
Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2000 10:34:58 -0400

On Fri, 2 Jun 2000, [iso-8859-1] Alf Hörberg wrote:

> Orchestra players!
>
> Recently we had an audition for 2nd/Bass-cl. position. Since we wanted
> the best clarinet player as well as the best bass-clarinet player we
> were discussing how to arrange the audition to get the best out of
> everyone.
> <SNIP!>
> I'm just curious to hear how others did the last
> time you had a similar position to be filled.

Last fall, I participated in our local orchestra's reorganization and
audition. It was a bit of a nerve wracker, as previously, it had been us
University students who filled most of the wind positions. However, with
the full orchestra now reauditioning (new conductor), it was fair game for
anyone, including professors and other professionals who had recently
moved into the area.

The audition consisted of excerpts. The first was the clarinet solo from
Pini di Roma - that was a chop buster, and believe me, I've never had to
phrase so long in ANYTHING like that before. (The added resistance of
playing it on A didn't help either.)

The second piece was the first clarinet part from the first movement of
Capriccio Espangol. Yay, fun! I'm very glad that he didn't choose to
have me play the arpeggios...they are a bear! (Did I mention the new
conductor was also a clarinet player...no pressure.)

And then there was the Mendehlsonn. Fun. Yet more proof that Baermann
and his son were truly virtuosos, because that Midsummer Night's Dream is
a true tongue tangler.

The third movement of K622 was also on the list, and I came prepared, but
he didn't ask me to play it. When I inquired of this, he simply replied,
"Not a good judgement call, on my part. It doesn't really belong in an
orchestral audition, and I don't need to hear it at this point anyway."

I ended getting 3rd/Bass. No bass excerpts at all. I didn't expect any
better, as the two clarinet doctorate holding individuals who also
auditioned took the first two chairs. *shrug* The only real bass clarinet
part of the audition was when he inquired of my knowledge and history on
bass clarinet.

J. Shouryu Nohe
http://web.nmsu.edu/~jnohe
Professor of SCSM102, New Mexico State Univ.
"I don't know, and I don't have an opinion." - Jet Black

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