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Author: bkmorton
Date: 2003-10-27 16:07
I am going to be taking an audition for military band in December.Is there any specifics to focus on for the next couple months in preparing for the audition? I have taken them before but I haven't gotten past the first round at the D.C. bands. I must not be doing the right things:)
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-10-28 07:34
From my experience, in the Australian Army but I am sure there are similarities, make sure you are on top of your technical work and be sure of the exact requirements for the whole audition/ exam. When performing your pieces you are there to try and impress, this is a mind set rather than anything tangible. If you play like a mouse they will switch off, if you play with conviction you will get their attention. I would assume that the DC bands are the direct entry bands that would be more competitive than some others requiring military training. From what I have seen in the Washington bands nobody is lower in rank than a Sergeant, straight away, and most are higher so make sure you are aiming for the right thing, they obviously expect a very high standard. There are some posters on this board who are military players in the USA who may be able to give more insight. There is also a thread on auditions in which some light may be shed.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-10-28 19:18
Be early and look sharp. Always a plus. While auditions should be mainly based on musical ability, all auditions can be influenced a bit one way or another with appearance. ESPECIALLY when dealing with the military. Be clean shaven, dress sharp, in IRONED clothes, with nice shoes (no military shine needed YET . . .), and speak intelligently. Also, if you aren't or haven't yet started shaping up, I suggest doing so. Remember that if you DO make the military band, there will be physical standards to keep up as well as boot camp to go through. It does NO harm to start doing your pushups, situps, and running right now in order to be a little better off than the next guy.
Be respectful and always stand when approached by someone (especially someone of stature such as the drum major or anyone with lots of stripes on their arm!).
THis has nothing to do with the audition at all, but believe me, it'll help them to remember you, and might give you the edge against someone who plays just as well as you, but showed up unkempt, and barely dressed.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: lowclarinetman
Date: 2003-10-30 01:03
Well the auditions for the military bands are very similar to the auditions for any professional gig. They want the best player possible. without exception the list must be perfect and played musically. The auditions will be behind screens and you will have very little interaction with current members of the band.
I only did one audition for a military band. (The coast guard band audition for bass clarinet last fall. ) Generally the calibre of player is incredibly high, play at your best.
Auditions are a tricky thing. The main thing, in my mind is learn from your past auditions. What happened during them, and why it didn't work.(and also what DID work). it is more or less a mind game. Some people use beta blockers, personally i don't like them becasue they make the music a bit too impersonal.
the auditions for the bands tend to have band excerpts on them, which you will probably not be as familiar with. LISTEN to any recording you can get a hold of. practice them slow, get them really clean and in tune. bassically the same thing you would do for any audition. and most important try to have fun when you are playing for the commitee.
good luck
bob
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Author: vin
Date: 2003-10-31 13:51
do yourself a favor-
tape yourself and compare to recordings of the same work with great clarinetists
listen to at least 3 different recordings of the pieces
play for other people whose opinion you trust (i have found this very helpful)
tape yourself
start early and practice your #$@ off- cramming doesn't work
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