 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2005-02-11 17:38
I had my audition at Boston University today and am so upset that it did not go well. Before the audition I was sounding great and played everything perfectly. Yet, somehow with Tom Martin of the Boston Symphony and other BU Faculty staring at me the whole time while I played, my nervousness got the best of me and ruined me. It was the worst I think I have ever played "Concertino." The entire time I was trying desperately to keep my lips and chin from shaking in anxiety, but did not succeed much. On the bright side, I played my excerpts from "Scheherazade" just about perfectly. And that was it. Nothing else.
One of the faculty members said to me afterwards something like: "Everything's fine...they had a suggestion if you played another instrument?" But unfortunately I do not really. I hope that this was only because my intended major is Theory/Composition, or because I am a woodwind. I really don't think it's a good thing that he asked me that, but I hope all goes well or that I can slip by. I am just amazed at how nervous I was and I shouldn't have been. It's not like I wasn't prepared--I knew my stuff.
But how much will my audition account into me being accepted or not? I sent compositions as well and hope that those will save me. Any thoughts on this? I'm really bummed, but I figure at least I know I better not get that nervous again for my next few auditions...Also, should I get them a letter of recommendation from my music director and also tell them that I made All-State this year? (I didn't have that letter or know that I made All-State until after I submitted my application and materials.
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2005-02-11 18:48
It is probably out of your hands at this point. Everyone gets nervous sometime in their life....many times everything shakes. In hindsight you probably should have done a mock audition and recorded yourself. If music is really a passion you will find a way to continue. In any case it was not a life threatening situation and you have many years to figure things out. Keep smiling.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2005-02-11 21:45
Not the end of the world, but might end your shot at this school for now, depending on how numerous and proficient your competitors were.
You apparently learned something new about yourself. If you are serious and dedicated, you will find ways to overcome this obstacle in the future. Everyone
experiences performance anxiety. The challenge is finding a way to get past it.
There are many methods employed by various musicians. One of the keys is getting back into the battle. Eventually you will discover what works for you, if you are dedicated enough to keep at it.
Break a reed.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-02-11 22:02
You are a Theory/Composition major. If you were a performance major than it would be all over at least right now for that one school. You still might have a shot depending on how good your other areas are (assuming that you also submitted composition work, etc).
B.U. is a very highly competitive school. If you don't make it, do not take it to heart as it is also a numbers game to get in.
Good luck with the other auditions and applications!
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Author: clarinetist04
Date: 2005-02-11 22:42
Yeah, don't sweat it. As a composition minor, I empathize. You'll get through it and as long as you mostly hit it and your compositions are really good, then you stand a chance still. I would suggest, working with our admissions department quite a bit, sending any new info that will give your application a boost simply because you never know. They may be deciding between you and someone else next week and if they see you're still doing outstanding work, getting recommendations and are genuinly interested in attending BU then they will look highly on that. Good luck whatever you decide to do!
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2005-02-11 23:37
I think that if you played the orchestral excerpts well, then that in itself will save you.
However, an audition panel knows when you're nervous, as they most certainly would, and they would realise it wasn't your best playing.
A college audition is to show your potential, and hopefully they saw that.
__________________
Don't hate me because I play Leblanc! ![[down]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley23.gif) Buffet
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2005-02-12 01:19
As a composition undergrad, you should be fine (though I don't know how competitive Boston auditions are). Many comp undergrads, myself included, enter a music department department without a single piece written.
I murdered the first note of Weber II at my audition, but I'd already been around the department as a music minor when I auditioned and "upgraded" to a comp major.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-02-12 12:59
"Trial and Error" is a time honored way of learning. Ever wonder why "Trial and Success" is never quoted. We learn from our mistakes. You have just had a valuable learning experience.....treat it as such and be thankful. Pity the poor sap who has never failed.
Bob Draznik
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-02-12 16:10
Worst case scenario, and this is the VERY worst case scenario, you take a few months off, practice and practice, and re-apply for the next semester or year. So even in the worst case scenario, there's still always opportunity.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-02-12 22:03
Abe Lincoln failed many times and he didn't even play the clarinet
Bob Draznik
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Author: vin
Date: 2005-02-13 18:47
The Tom Martin stare can be intimidating, but he's actually a nice guy.
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2005-02-13 22:32
Oh, I know that Tom Martin is a nice guy. I actually met him before the audition a few weeks earlier when accompanying a friend to Rayburn.
This whole thing is just so aggrivating because I think the main reason I got so uncontrollably nervous and was shaking was because I didn't eat breakfast that morning. And the reason I didn't was because I didn't want to end up feeling sick during the audition, but it seems that I lost both ways.
I just wish there was a way for me to prove to them that I am a MUCH better player than I showed them that day.
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