Klarinet Archive - Posting 000265.txt from 2008/11

From: "James Sclater" <Sclater@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] After Drucker
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:18:59 -0500

After reading Tony's most recent posts, I have a few
questions/comments:

1. Are we to assume that orchestral auditions in the UK are not an
"equal opportunity for everyone" situation? If not, how are they usually
handled? If so, how are they different from how things are handled in
the US? (I didn't know there was a "standard.")

2. If the "CRAP- PRESENTATIONAL" model is as pervasive in the world as
Tony says, why does he refer to it as the "American system?"

3. Does Tony really think that what he views as his approach to making
the best music possible is something which is determined by geography? I
know that most of my musician friends would agree with Tony's eloquent
view of what being a thoughtful musician is. Being "brought up
right"musically is hardly a geographical issue.

4. Does Tony really think that conductors/ players who hear orchestral
auditions in the US are not capable of making good decisions regarding
what is best for the totality of music making in the ensemble? Why
would an American audition committee be any more susceptible to
shallowness than a committee in the UK?

5. Why the anti-American slant in these posts?

As always, Tony's posts are thought-provoking.

Jim Sclater

James S. Sclater
Professor of Music,
Mississippi College
601-925-3445

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