Klarinet Archive - Posting 000326.txt from 2002/01

From: "Jay Niepoetter" <Niep@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Robert & his "Report" from the Marine Audition
Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2002 15:41:33 -0500

I've been quiet throughout this whole "Robert and the Marine Band Audition"
thread. Some the information past about the Marine Band has been truthful,
other information has been way off base. I couldn't let this one slide.
The Marine Band provides all instruments and reeds you need. Yes, that is
right, we get free reeds. If anyone has questions about the band I will be
happy to clear up any misconceptions.

Jay

-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Wakefield [mailto:tony-wakefield@-----.net]
Subject: [kl] Robert & his "Report" from the Marine Audition

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.
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>

---------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------