 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Daniel
Date: 2003-01-20 17:02
Hi there,
It's still a year away. But for my Masters I'm hoping to attend the Royal College or Royal Academy of Music. I have the choice of either auditioning in London in November/December 2003, or in NYC or Boston in March 2004. Does anyone have any thoughts about which would be better?
My idea is that going to London and taking the earlier audition would show a higher desire and determination to attend one of their schools. And financially, a plane ticket to London at that time, would cost not much more than flying to NYC/Boston plus getting a hotel room for a couple days.
Anyway, applications aren't even available yet, so I've got time to consider what I do.
Daniel
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Author: Shawn
Date: 2003-01-20 21:20
I would go to London, but for none of the reasons you mentioned. Go to London take your audition and enjoy the city. This way, whether you get in or not, you will at least have the chance to visit London.
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Author: Jean
Date: 2003-01-20 22:17
Oh yeah, go to London and check it out. It is a wonderful city. Look for deals on flights ahead of time. Do you have to audition in Nov/Dec? My husband has been to London in January a few times and that is always one of the least expensive times to travel. I would avoid December if possible. I belive London is a big destination at the holidays.
Jean
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Author: HAT
Date: 2003-01-21 14:40
The question is, where do you want to live and work? If it's the USA, then I think the answer is pretty obvious.
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Author: Robert Hoit
Date: 2003-01-21 15:42
Well, the clarinet department at RAM is just fantastic. I have known several people who have come out of it and they are all just insanely good.
As far as affecting your chances to get a job in the US, I don't put to much in that. I did my master's in Europe(Rotterdam for bass clarinet) and it has not affected me any more negatively than anywhere else would. It is a difficult profession to make a living in and it is always a good thing to go to the best school possible. And RAM is one of the top conservatories in the world.
Good luck with the audition. I have also known several americans who went over to the RAM to do their masters and it seems to ahve worked out for them ok.
bob
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Author: clarynet
Date: 2003-01-21 20:18
Daniel-
I took my grad school auditions last year, and every place I visited was glad I came in person. In many words, the different clarinet professors said that unless the "out of town" audition is AWESOME, they pretty much disregard it. They really only consider in person auditions. If you want to go to RCM, go there.  Good luck!
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Author: Doug
Date: 2003-01-22 00:45
I would go to London, such a great place to live and study music. As for that advice about studying here is you want to work here, ignore that (bull***). You will be exposed to far better musicians over there than here. The clarinet world here is so mechanical and dry, I think you might pick up something over there that will make you unique and set you apart from the usual American machines. I hope you have good luck with the audition, and that you have the opportunity to study there, take advantage of it!
D
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-01-22 03:06
Doug wrote:
>
> The clarinet
> world here is so mechanical and dry, I think you might pick up
> something over there that will make you unique and set you
> apart from the usual American machines.
Doug, do I detect a bit of bitterness here? Who slammed you so hard?
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Author: Doug
Date: 2003-01-22 03:32
How is it bitter to think that? Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and frankly I believe in what I said. There hasn't been anything descent to come out of the American clarinet scene in years.
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Author: HAT
Date: 2003-01-22 04:18
Doug,
Is there a reason a full name doesn't come with your strong opinions? It certainly makes you harder to take seriously.
I would also like to know how you know what is bullshit and what isn't. Please tell us about all the jobs YOU have played.
D
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Author: Doug
Date: 2003-01-22 13:46
Im not wasting my time with you, Hattner
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Author: Doug
Date: 2003-01-22 13:48
I dont see you sitting in a major orchestra, Im tired of you prancing around this board.
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Author: Larry Liberson
Date: 2003-01-22 14:16
Doug said: "I dont see you sitting in a major orchestra..."
Is that the prerequisite for making comments and/or expressing one's views based on his/her experiences? Is sitting in an orchestra the only kind of professional expertise that is credible?
Also: "Im tired of you prancing around this board."
Well, to that I would have a couple of suggestions: when you see a post from David, simply pass it by without reading it -- at least you'll save yourself from the indignation you seem to be experiencing. The other would be to sustantiate your comments in rebuttal to what he has to say.
Whether one agrees or not with what David states here (and believe me, he posts a lot less than do others with less -- in my opinion -- knowledge and practical experience to share), he generally will back his comments with practical applications, examples and experiences. And frankly, that is what much of teaching is, isn't it?
You, Doug, on the other hand, made an assertion which more than maligned an entire body of clarinet players. Perhaps if you took a few moments to further explain -- in detail -- your thoughts, we might understand a little bit better from where you're coming.
There are a ton of postings to this board, many of which are, in my opinion, pretty worthless. Backing up your opinions with something substantive will lend some credibility to what you have to say.
Because right now, it appears as if you have none.
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Author: Vic
Date: 2003-01-22 14:25
I've learned much from Hattner's "prancing" around this board. I hope he keeps doing it. You just keep on prancing, HAT!
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2003-01-22 16:10
"You will be exposed to far better musicians over there than here. The clarinet world here is so mechanical and dry"
I have to disagree with you Doug. I don't live in England or the USA, but I can honestly say that I have heard many excellent players from both countries. And as an outsider, I can tell you that the best American clarinet players that I have heard have been anything but "mechanical and dry". Is it perhaps a case of the grass being greener on the other side?
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Author: HAT
Date: 2003-01-22 20:40
Normally, I don't respond to trolls. But the idea of me 'prancing' is sort of a funny mental image. I am sure my friends who read this will, unfortunately, find it even funnier. . .
Isn't it ironic that, despite the fact that:
"There hasn't been anything descent to come out of the American clarinet scene in years."
my playing clarinet in a major orchestra would somehow give me credibility? I dun get it. . .
Perhaps the exceptionally cold weather we are experiencing here on the east coast (which surely extends up to New Haven, from which this post appears to originate) and the chirpy reeds which accompany it have driven one poor soul over the edge.
By the way, 'Doug," feel free to come see me the next time I sub with the New Haven Symphony. Too bad you won't be playing there too. . .
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Author: Doug
Date: 2003-01-23 03:24
Nice gig, subbing with New Haven, great.
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Author: Mark Sloss
Date: 2003-01-23 12:28
I don't really want to throw kerosene on this one, but I have to say I don't think playing in a "major" orchestra defines a great player. When you've got greats like Drucker and Gigliotti occupying the principal desk for generations, that leaves a lot of very fine players looking for other venues. There are also many superior players who flat out choose not to try the symphonic route. There has been plenty of mooning and criticism on this board over folks like Stoltzman, and last time I checked, he isn't holding a symphonic post. Didn't seem to affect the discourse on his work.
And, to say nothing decent has come out of the American scene in years is a pretty strong indictment. I guess that means the young guns that ARE holding down those major orchestra gigs are hacks. I think there are plenty of clarinetists on this board who only dream of sucking (mechanically, apparently) that bad.
Now, if you go back and read Mr. Hattner's original response, it was terse but seemed clear in its intent, being that the clarinet style across the pond may not play well in the States when looking for work. I would be willing to wager that the American style is equally underappreciated by the Brits.
Daniel, back to your original question, the RC and RAM come to NYC for good reason, which is to look for qualified candidates. It shouldn't count against you if you take the audition here. If you go to London, do it for the right reasons -- see the campus, hear the ensembles, listen to the other clarinetists, and decide if you want to be a part of it.
Now I need to go drink heavily to get the image of Hattner prancing out of my head...
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-01-23 16:28
Mark Sloss wrote:
>
> Now I need to go drink heavily to get the image of Hattner
> prancing out of my head...
Just be glad he's not mincing ... he's not, is he?
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Author: Mark Sloss
Date: 2003-01-23 19:42
Slicing and dicing. Maybe even a little julienne. Haven't noticed any mincing, though. Is that a typical side effect of prancing?
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