 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-02-07 07:04
Hey guys, I need a quick response in time for tomorrow!
I'm starting conert band tomorrow, and I'm hoping to go for concertmaster. Theres no audition (you have to audition to get in though, which I have done), but the clarinet tutor and the conductor decide who sits in the Solo Clarinet chair.
Any suggestions on how to give a great first impression, how to show good leadership skills right from the beginning, etc?
Thanks in advance guys! =]
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Author: Karel
Date: 2003-02-07 09:07
I would say, "be yourself". If you put on an artificial show you may find yourself in a position you do not fit into. If you have natural leadership skills, they will show. If you don't, the position of concertmaster would only be punishment. Or don't you see it that way?
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Author: Hank
Date: 2003-02-07 11:38
Morrigan,
Listen to Karel, she has given you excellent advice. Being able to listen and digest advice shows a great deal of leadership; you need to learn how to do that as your response above shows that you seem to want to hear what you want to hear which to me, if not a strong leadership quality.
My opinion is based on a very long leadership career.
HRL
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Author: kenabbott
Date: 2003-02-07 11:40
Show up early. Play in tune. Don't mess around. Pay attention.
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Author: Jerry
Date: 2003-02-07 12:35
Put a lid on the drug-related double entendres, unless that's what you want people to believe about you. Say what you are and be what you say. A good leader is clear, honest, and forthright.
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Author: tbpiercy
Date: 2003-02-07 12:48
Drug related double entendre?
Myself being in NYC I thought he was asking for a quick "hit man" not a " quick hit" - I wasn't sure how that was going to help in getting 1st chair unless it had something to do with his competition.
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2003-02-07 12:52
this may not answer your question on what you can do .. but, i had always wanted to play first chair. in highschool i sat second. in college i sat second and when the opportunity came when i was asked by the conductor to play first chair, i chickened out. i didnt have the confidence. i dropped out of college 2 years later. when i returned to playing after 12 years, and joined the wind symphony i play in now, i played second. when the opportunity came up again - i told myself i had always wanted the position (even tho i never took it) - and that it would be a personal accomplishment so i went for it.
i did not enjoy myself that season. there was too much pressure i put on myself to try and impress and be a leader to the group - i was trying too hard to fill the position. i am now back in second chair and very happy being there. and i found that once i relaxed and was myself - i have natural leadership skills and altho im not in first chair - a lot of the clarinet players look up to me anyway. i dont think the seat you sit in gives you those skills.
of course - we learn thru experience and i needed to experience being concermaster in order to learn where i fit in. second.
Good Luck - JL
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Author: HAT
Date: 2003-02-07 13:52
Mark, of course, can advise you on securities.
My question is: what difference does it make? It's college, it's a band. Sit anywhere.
Remember, a career can be 60 years. College is a lot less than that. If you go on beyond college, you'll wonder why this was ever important.
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Author: Mark Sloss
Date: 2003-02-07 14:04
In all seriousness, there is a lot to learn from sitting dead-last in a section as well. I learned more as a technician and musician in school working to integrate my sound, pitch, etc. with the person sitting to my right than I ever did sitting first desk. You'll probably make the best impression by saying you want to do whatever will contribute the most to the section and the ensemble.
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2003-02-07 15:11
Perhaps the decision has already been made for the solo chair--before you arrive at the rehearsal. All seats are an opportunity. I have sat in many seats, depending on the gig and the politics of the moment. I've sat in many first chairs. Your best bet is to play well, have a level head, and don't be disappointed if you are not first chair. Not first chair? well then, play well, have a level head, and learn. Good luck!
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Author: candyteddy
Date: 2003-02-07 19:23
a good leader leads by example. Be careful not to come across as bossy or controlling or you will most definitely lose the respect of your fellow clarinetiist. Just be yourself and do what YOU know YOU need to do.
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Author: Jerry
Date: 2003-02-07 21:47
That makes it a "triple entendre". Anyone for a fourth?
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2003-02-07 23:34
Ok let's see:
I need a quick hit man
1. I need some drugs, man
2. I need a response to this message electronically. (My website got
a million hits in 2 months, for example)
3. I need a Hit Man to kill someone (make him an offer he cant
refuse, or kill the other player)
4. I need to make a hit (positive impression) with the conductor
or..as in a smash hit movie or show.
5. (your turn)
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-02-08 02:07
I didn't get a chance to read these posts last night... Just got back, they put me as Solo Clarinet/concertmaster.
Oh, and no. 2 is correct.
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2003-02-08 04:24
I took meaning 3 and thought it was a call for the Buffet Mafia.
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Author: Jules
Date: 2003-02-08 12:00
As one of the past tutors for your band, and as someone who still has quite a bit to do with the organisation don't worry if you get moved off Solo Clarinet during the year. The idea of the bands are to give you experience and if there are others in the section who the staff feel deserve a chance to lead, they will be given it. Nothing personal, just as it was nothing personal to the other members of the section by making you principal. Good luck.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-02-08 12:10
Hey Jules, I'm sorry but I have no idea who you are (not sure I'm supposed to, no supplied email address), but I'm thinking of not playing with the group, as I feel like the standard has dropped since last year. I know there's a new conductor, all new staff etc. but I really wanted to play concertmaster for the leadership experience, but, the new conductor obviously doesn't want a band leader as he's placed the clarinets in second row, and all the flutes up the front.
All in all I have to say it's just 'not the same' anymore, and there are a few other clarinetists I think could benefit more than me if I left, so I think I will do so. Do you think it's a good idea?
"idea of the bands are to give you experience and if there are others in the section who the staff feel deserve a chance to lead, they will be given it"
Tell that to MYO. =]
-Mr. Optimistic, Buffet Mafia Australia Inc.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-02-08 12:55
Thanks to everyone who's taken the time to email, however, please PLEASE try not to take me so seriously, "i need a quick hit man" was just being silly, I am not on drugs, just needed some quick answers and getting your attention surely worked.... And I'm just trying to make the best out of what has been a most dissappointing situation for me.
I started this thread and now I wanna close it. Mark C, am I allowed to do that?
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Author: Jules
Date: 2003-02-09 00:51
I thik it is a rather petty reason to leave a band just because you aren't the leader. As you said there is a new conductor, who is a great musician, will bring new life to the group. If this means you are sitting in the second row and don't get to walk on by yourself, then really in the long term who cares. You will get more out of life musically and socially by staying in the band and learing then by sitting at home when you could be at band rehearsals. There are so few opportunities to play with a decent standard ensemble is your city at the moment, that I think you should cherish every chance you get. If you are up the front of your section, then there is still also a lot of leadership that needs to be shown towrds the section.
A band is also like a football team, you need to work for he good of the team, not for yourself, if you cannot see further then your own goals, or think that you will not be a positive force for the band, then it probably is time to move on.
Also, don't judge the standard on the first rehearsal, you may only remember properly the standard you finished with last year after a year of hard work.
Sorry to be a little negative, but I really think you should stay, and I am little light on tact this morning!
:)
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Author: Hank
Date: 2003-02-09 02:22
Morrigan,
You had an opportunity to lead and it seems that you are not ready, willing, and able. The band will be better off without you. Give someone else with the capability to lead a chance to do so.
HRL
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Author: Karel
Date: 2003-02-09 02:42
Morrigan, you are taking it a bit hard, aren't you? From your other posts, you give the impression of a young chap rather "up himself", not really taking into consideration the needs and wants of others. Real leaders need to learn to do that.
PS: Once you start a thread, it belongs to the other contributors as much as it does to you, I think. If you feel that you want to stop the "spanking", you may have to stop reading it. Although I would say the comments have been constructive and kind.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-02-09 11:48
Well I'll stay then. I'll make the section better than last year's, I'll do everything in my power to do so.
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Author: Hank
Date: 2003-02-09 12:32
Morrigan,
You don't get it do you? First you want, then you get it, then your leaving, now your staying. Rather than be Mr. Optimistic as you claimed above, you are more of a Mr. Primadonna.
One last piece of advice and I will end my participation in this thread. A good leader gets the job done and does not worry about who gets the credit.
HRL
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Author: Hank
Date: 2003-02-09 13:53
Sorry, I must correct the message above.
First you want it, then you get it, then you're leaving, and now you're staying. Rather than being Mr. Optimistic as you claimed above, you are more of a Mr. Primadonna.
HRL
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Author: Bruce
Date: 2003-02-10 09:32
Morrigan,
I'll share something it's taken years for me to learn and that I've found has been very difficult for a number of other people to accept:
The mantle of leadership is very often a confirmation of what responsibility has already been achieved rather than a proclamation of what control is being given.
I would encourage you to think about that.
Since you posted here, we know you're looking for feedback. You've already heard about teamwork. Based on notes in this thread and others, I'd suggest confidence is key too. Frankly, that's a critical aspect of any leadership role.
My daughter Allison plays in pep band as well as concert band. Clearly they are quite a bit different. This weekend, pep band played for the Basketball Team's big local rival game. It was so loud they apparently could hardly hear each other. As always, they had two student conductors helping the teaching conductor (at the same time). Since they play from bleachers, it's tough to see each other. The pep band plays the National Anthem at the start of the game (which was kind of moving given recent events). They also play some pretty fast and loud stuff that needs to stop when game play begins (it could cost the team points).
Given all of that, do you think that the other student members need to have confidence in the leaders? Would that mean that the leaders need some self confidence? As an example, the percussion section is in front for practical reasons. That means that they are in front of the teaching conductor. If you're playing drums as hard as you can, you'd like to think the student conductor has some idea if the band will do 1 or 2 repeats on the fight song. However, I will bet that they will mess it up once this season. It will take confidence and leadership skills to handle that mistake well.
Anyway, that's a baton up front not a magic wand. That's why the person wielding it is titled a Conductor or Leader and not a Commander or Prima Donna. It takes self confidence to stop thinking about yourself, focus on what would most help those folks you're leading and bring out their best ... so much so that they out shine you. Then you need to make sure that they get the deserved credit.
So, take a couple of big steps back and ask yourself if you would have picked yourself for this role. If you would not, first ask yourself if you really want to be a leader instead of a excellent team member. Sometimes folks decide to lead simply because it's the "next step" when they would really rather succeed in the role they are in. If you really do want to lead, ask yourself how could you grow so that you will be ready next time.
Or if I can make it a bit more clear, how could you help the chosen person be most successful in their role. And by doing that learn how you might be successful in a similar role in the future. And also learn how be a good team member. And also learn how to build some confidence by focusing on supporting others instead of dwelling on yourself.
Best Wishes,
Bruce
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