Klarinet Archive - Posting 000306.txt from 2002/01

From: "Tony Wakefield" <tony-wakefield@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Robert & his "Report" from the Marine Audition
Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2002 06:30:27 -0500

Do NOT despair. There are lots more bands in your country. This was ONLY a
first attempt. You will know what to do on further ones.
Have you thought about the British Royal Air Force Bands. They are
comparable to the U.S Service bands - and yes I know - it means emigrating.
Perhaps this is a last resort which you will not ultimately need to
consider.
For service bands, perhaps another consideration is to be able to double at
short notice. So have you got $30,000 for a bass, a contra, an Eb, and alto,
tenor and bari saxes?
Above all else keep practising and enjoy.
Best,
T.W.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert" <LetsReason@-----.com>
Subject: [kl] The "Report" from the Marine Band Audition

> I did not make it to the second round. I do believe that I "almost" made
> it, but I completely understand why the "thank you" came when it did. The
> assigned person, a rather attractive woman, told you what to start with
(the
> Mozart, 1st mvt, exposition) and that you would then move to excerpts. I
> think the Mozart went well, considering I had not touched my A clarinet
> until I got there and found that everyone else was playing it on the A.
> After I had changed my clarinets, the assistant pointed to the first
> excerpt. The first excerpt (and I believe this was the same for everyone)
> was the Lincolnshire Posy (4th mvt) which I was very pleased with it until
> the articulated 16th-note passage at measure 14. For some reason, after
my
> breath, when I started the staccato, mezzo-piano notes I misplaced my
> embouchure or something. I really don't know what happened, but they did
> not come out with the same tone everything else did. Kick in the ADD
> focusing on the irregularity and the sextuplets to follow were there...but
> sloppy (uneven and lacking much rhythmic integrity in the placement of
> emphasis on the root notes). I thought I would get the "Thank you" after
I
> played the last note of that excerpt, but they graciously allowed me to
> continue. The assistant thought I would be dismissed too apparently as
she
> paused, looking at the divider for the response. It did not come and she
> pointed to the next excerpt. The Mendelssohn "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
> went well. The notes were there and a clear staccato at all dynamics and
> octaves. I was pleased with that. There was a pause and as the assistant
> began to show me the next excerpt came the dreaded "Thank you".
>
> My take on the situation? After listening to everyone from about #10 on
(I
> was #24 out of 25), no-one was making any clear effort to differentiate
the
> specifically marked articulations in the Lincolnshire Posy. On the other
> hand, I had made a special effort to differentiate between the 4 different
> articulations written into the first 14 measures. I am only guessing, but
I
> think that this may have made them think twice about the sloppiness of the
> sextuplets. After the Mendelssohn went well, they may, and I am only
> guessing again, have discussed allowing me to continue on but decided that
> the others who had been chosen before I played were sufficient for the
> second-round that they did not have any need to "push me through". This
may
> be why I "almost" got to play the Weber excerpt.
>
> In any case, I did not make it to the second round. The other players
there
> were very competent and of various ages. There was one particular player
> that brought back some rather sorrowful memories for me though. Number
19.
> My, oh my. The tone was not my "style" but was professional in any case.
> Very fluid and even throughout all registers. The main thing is combining
> that with the feeling of oodles of technique. You got the sense that this
> guy could play anything effortlessly. I want to exude that feeling in my
> sound but have yet to find the cajones to put in the time and effort
needed.
> I salute #19 for the work he has done to get there. Excellent player.
>
> Oh yeah...why the sorrowful memories? When I went to Cleveland Institute
to
> audition for Franklin Cohen and the Cleveland Symphony clarinet section
> (they are the faculty there), I had to stand outside his office (the
> audition room) waiting and watching as they all stood up and gathered
around
> this young 1st Prize winner from the Paris Conservatory who was
auditioning
> before me. Yes...he was amazing and there was only one spot open. He was
> amazing in the same way number 19 was. He got the spot. I sat there and
> watched them pat him on the back, PLAY HIS HORN, etc while my slot was
> pushed back almost 10 mins. I remember them asking if he knew the Daphnes
> and Chloe excerpt and he whipped them out with the ease of water pouring
out
> of a wide-mouth jug. Sick. ;-)
>
> I cannot say that I am not feeling down, I did and I am. But I am not
> angry, upset or bitter or anything like that. They were kind to let me
play
> the second excerpt. I am, as I was after the Cleveland audition, inspired
> to develop that kind of technical mastery of my instrument. So for the
next
> week or two I will probably practice 5 to 6 hours a day. But this has
> happened before and though I did improve, I slowly slumped back into 1 1/2
> hours a day like I have been. :-( The one difference this time is that I
> am around music. Maybe I can STAY inspired since I have an outlet here.
> Who knows. I hope so.
>
> If anyone has any questions, please ask. I enjoyed my audition experience
> and look forward to "trying again". I think I WILL make it to the second
> round next time. This ass-whuppin I received today will stay in my mind
as
> I prepare for the next one. There were a number of other good players,
but
> each had something missing that I think will keep them from the second
> rounds at this level audition (today, I did too :-( )
>
> Thanks for everyone's advice and commentary. You all have been very kind
> and helpful.
>
> Robert
>
> P.S. I'm curious to know if "#19" did win. If he didn't I would think it
> had to be an earlier number.
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>

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