 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Frustrated and Sad
Date: 2002-03-03 06:56
Hi.
I am upset because. I am going to orchestra tomorrow, on of the best youth orchestra's in the country and im going get get my assistant principal seating assignments. Even though I had the better audition. See I used to be no where close to this person a year ago, infact i didn't even make the orchestra last season. But i buckled down and worked really hard. So that i made a jump from principal of the lower orchestra to 2nd in the upper orchestra. So i worked really hard for second semester seating audition music. She did to but i guess not as much as me. I went in to that audition room and had the best audition of my life. Like all my hard work had paid off and i had proven that i was ready to be the principal player. But you know what? It won't happen infact i know in advance. The other person is a "star". You know three semesters as principal and even winning the concerto competetion. yet i didn't know that meant that she would get principal spots even if she didn't deserve them. She even said to me "i would be upset if you didn't get principal, you played the best" Oh yeah she is a senior and im a jr if that really matters.
I just don't get why youth orchestra's have to be so political too. We are sopposed to get together to make music and i don't get whats so hard about being fair when it comes to auditions. I blame our director, for playing favorites. It's wrong, he told me that next year he will depend on me for important parts. I think that is so wrong, if someone gets better that me, gosh darnit, i would want them to have principal because they deserve it. I don't want to feel like i have to be shafted in bad way for one year so taht next year someone else could be shafted if someone who atleast did better in auditions came along. Anyhow im sure what people can say to this. Thanks for letting me vent.
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Author: HAT
Date: 2002-03-03 12:37
I feel for you, I really do. It blows.
However, sad to say, the politics never end. EVER. Oh well.
David Hattner, NYC
www.northbranchrecords.com
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Author: Gary
Date: 2002-03-03 15:19
My son is also involved in youth orchestras. In his best orchestra, both he (a sophmore) and the other girl (a senior) were battling for principal. The orchestra director has a novel method for seating. He has the top musicians share in principal duties. Each musician has some pieces that they play first and others that they play second. At first I though it was not a good idea, but in retrospect, it has worked out wonderfully. These musicians that are involved are California All-State 1st part, with some principal players. At the beginning there were some clashes of ego, but that has disappeared and now they are supportive of each other. Most of the outstanding musicians get to play principal at each concert and switch seats with one-another after the intermission. Perhaps you can get an arrangement such as this.
Gary
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Author: Just two thoughts
Date: 2002-03-03 15:28
Just two thoughts here: 1) it is hard to argue with success in that the the other person has already served (apparently successfully) as principal for a few seasons; and 2) in audition situations, it is (unfortunately, but similar to "star popularity") in the ears and the eyes of the auditioners (and the public) to finally determine "who is best." Some like Richard Stolzman, some don't--it is as simple as that. My advice--"chalk" this one up to experiance, be the BEST assistant principal in the world (perhaps second only to John Bruce-Yeh with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra) and hope that your pricipal may share some solo work with you for being so supportive. Also, keep up the great practice and be more than ready for the next audition. Good Clarineting (from one of the best second clarinets east of the Mississippi and west of Lake Michigan--but danged proud of it!!!!) Note that the CSO is south of the Lake.......
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Author: William
Date: 2002-03-03 15:28
Just two thoughts here: 1) it is hard to argue with success in that the the other person has already served (apparently successfully) as principal for a few seasons; and 2) in audition situations, it is (unfortunately, but similar to "star popularity") in the ears and the eyes of the auditioners (and the public) to finally determine "who is best." Some like Richard Stolzman, some don't--it is as simple as that. My advice--"chalk" this one up to experiance, be the BEST assistant principal in the world (perhaps second only to John Bruce-Yeh with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra) and hope that your pricipal may share some solo work with you for being so supportive. Also, keep up the great practice and be more than ready for the next audition. Good Clarineting (from one of the best second clarinets east of the Mississippi and west of Lake Michigan--but danged proud of it!!!!) Note that the CSO is south of the Lake.......
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-03-03 16:09
All things must pass ...
Another thing to remember - (and another overused expression) - the race doesn't always go to the swiftest. There's more to being principal that technical talent - and politics. Experience does count for something.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-03-03 17:43
There are many aspects to this. One can learn a lot from playing the second or third clarinet chair in an orchestra. If the person playing first chair does a great job, why not listen and learn from them. If they goof up and you are able to do better, it will eventually become apparent and they will change things.
It is also likely that, other items being more or less equal, that they will ask a senior to be the first chair player rather than a junior.
This is for a very short time, I suspect, so why not try to enjoy it, play the best you can, and concentrate on musicianship if possible as you percieve it at your young age. Learning to keep a low profile has a lot of value. I know one gentleman who told me "I don't mind playing third alto sax, I made two million dollars doing that at Universal Studios". Good Luck.
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Author: Melanie
Date: 2002-03-03 18:46
I agree with Gary. Here at my university, there are 4 serious clarinetists. Two are grad students and are leaps and bounds better than us undergrads, but we share parts. The grad student in orchestra mostly plays the first part, and us 2 undergrads share 2nd, but when it comes time to do chamber music and in our wind ensemble, all 4 of us switch around. This serves 3 purposes, 1- we all get to play the more challenging parts and keep from getting bored, 2- the undergrads are getting the experience that they need to take over for the grad students when they leave us, and 3- it really helps the ballance of the section. I do feel your pain though. In my senior year of high school, there was a sophmore who got to play a solo even though he butchered it everytime (he even squeeked most of the time) just because our director liked him and his family better. Just know, eventually it will all come around. i.e. I was 2nd in the region, and he was 40th, so it showed who could prove themselves without the favoritism. Good luck, and enjoy everything you play!
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Author: Suzanne
Date: 2002-03-03 20:11
I know it feels bad, and probably everyone has had something similar happen at least once--but this is just the way life is sometimes, and we have to learn to be gracious and mature about it (especially when you don't have much control over the already-decided results anyway!). You know, there is a lot more to playing second, or assistant, than often gets credit--intonation, blend, bringing out that other person's sound, timing, and adapting to that person's musical and personal leadership, and humility are all skills you will need in the "real world", where, at least until you get a regular job, you will be playing first, second, third, pinch-hitting, and a little bit of shortstop and home base in between--and not caring as much about what part it is, as trying to make it sound great. Even though your situation is a bummer, there can be some good out of it, though I know it feels crappy.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-03-03 22:10
You mention that youth orchestras are just supposed to get together and make music - yet you bemoan the fact that you didn't win first chair! I don't understand - regardless of whether you think your playing is superior to the "star", it is the decision of the auditioning panel - end of story. Just play in the second chair and play better than the first and be happy in yourself. Thank your lucky stars your not living in Vienna and female and trying to play with the Vienna - jobs for females in THIS orchestra are basically non-existant.
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Author: Kim L.
Date: 2002-03-03 22:43
You have to realize that if just one person thinks that he/she is better than the person in front of him/her, it can really ruin it for the rest of the ensemble. You are in an ensemble to work together and play the best possible. You also have to realize that second parts can be more difficult than the first parts because they are not the melody. Orchestra is also a chamber music experience which means you are the only one playing your part so what difference does it make whether you are first or second. Technically, since it is a chamber music experience, you have your own solo part.
Also, being "better" than somebody doesn't always have to be gratifying. Playing music well should be the best reward there is. Healthy competition is okay, but be careful how competitive you get. Have fun and enjoy yourself!
Kim L.
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Author: Frustrated and Sad
Date: 2002-03-04 02:47
Hey everyone,
Thanks for the replys. I would also like to say that, the panel that wasn't the conductor did say that i was the winner, the conductor over ruled that. Anyhow it doesn't matter. I got my parts today. They are split and I do have some great parts. I'm surprisingly happy. Thanks for your advice. I greatly appreciate it.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-03-04 03:44
Good on you - just enjoy playing the clarinet - not many people have opportunity let alone talent - you obviously do!
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Author: willie
Date: 2002-03-05 06:52
A couple years ago our Profesor very sheepishly asked if it would hurt my feelings to move to the back and play third clarinet. I said "no problem" and jumped in. He later told me he needed a strong player to bring out that part of the harmony and was reluctant to ask as he had earlier ask another to do this and they stomped out saying "I don't play third parts". I personaly, (after playing different chairs), find some of the second and third parts more challenging. If all the good, strong players are allplaying first parts, the the second and third parts will be weak. The band/orch. may just as well be playing in unison.
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