 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tenorchick
Date: 2005-07-20 00:44
Gah I need advice. I was in GTCYS (Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies) this year and it was a great experience. But I just got an email saying that the artistic director and director of Symphony, Marlene Pauley, is stepping down. They've hired someone by the name of Cary John Franklin to take over Symphony. Is anyone familiar with this guy? Is he a good director, can I count on a decent year?
I'm so upset right now, this is the 2nd time in a year that a director of mine has left (last year my band director went on leave) and I'm sick of it. I'm thinking of checking out Minnesota Youth Symphonies and maybe auditioning. At least there they won't have gone through three artistic directors in three years. Advice?
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-07-20 02:03
You want advice? Here it is:
Suck it up and play your horn.
If not, give someone else a chance who really wants to be there.
Turmoil? You have no clue.
The are inner city kids who have no music program, or a program that was suddenly snatched away from them.
There are high schools whose music program has been so decimated, you wouldn't recognize it from previous years.
High school band directors are being dumped routinely. Some of the high school kids I teach have had 4 different directors in 4 years, and all 4 have been rookie, first year teachers.
Instrumental music, or for that matter, instruments, are just a far off dream for some minority kids...
That's turmoil...GBK
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Author: tenorchick
Date: 2005-07-20 04:24
Is it not obvious that I am upset about this whole situation? Telling me to "suck it up" will not change how I feel. Maybe if you knew actually knew about what was going on I'd be a little more open to your comments.
And don't try and guilt me by telling me about the poor children with no music programs. You think I don't know how hard music programs get cut? That's the very reason why I joined GTCYS, because my high school program is getting decimated. That's why I was upset, because if I lose this, I have little place to get a good playing experience.
So...Cary John Franklin anyone?
Post Edited (2005-07-20 04:36)
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Author: tenorchick
Date: 2005-07-20 04:38
I know that sort of stuff, they told us when the informed us of the change in directorship, what I'm looking for is actual experience people may have had with him, not just credentials. But thank you.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-07-20 10:56
Tenorchick,
It sounds like you have a nice thing going up there in the Twin Cities.
You have a school system (many here are about to close). You have a director for the GTCYC (looks like his credentials are good and he has a lot of experience with young musicians - you do not earn those things without some effort and ability). You are in the GTCYC (that's a nice little plum). You wonder what the actual experience is of others (who cares; when I was in HS and college, I loved some directors that others found very, very difficult and at some times, impossible- Revelli, Minelli, Bainum, Sawhill, Harding, etc.).
IMHO, I think you have it pretty good!
HRL (aka Tenorguy)
PS Maybe your new director will even get a commission to compose something for the GTCYS to premiere.
Post Edited (2005-07-21 02:45)
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2005-07-20 12:13
It looks to me as if tenorchick is experiencing massive fear of the unknown. If anybody has some specific experience with this director, I hope they'll impart the wisdom instead of calling tenorchick spoiled, or words to that effect. Just because she has more opportunities than the most disadvantaged kids doesn't mean she should have those opportunities taken away. Better to do what we can to raise the level for everybody else. Tenorchick, you're right that credentials on paper don't necessarily have much to do with how someone fits in with a particular group of musicians, but if nobody on the bb has played with the new person, I do think the best move would be to wait and see, hope for the best, and give the guy a chance. If the last director was good, that's a sign that the people who do the choosing know their stuff.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-07-20 12:29
Wow.
You have the opportunity to play under a variety of directors.
If you had a pro career there would be a constant parade of guest conductors. You would have to adapt.
This is a chance for experience. A chance to shine and strut yer stuff.
We had a youth symp. when I was a pup. We were told that a sub conductor was coming.
Some people got nervous, others exhibited confidence.
Who do you think got the most out of it when Stokowski arrived and took the podium?
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-07-20 12:35
Lelia Loban wrote:
> Just because she
> has more opportunities than the most disadvantaged kids doesn't
> mean she should have those opportunities taken away.
Who is taking anything away??
Music directors, band directors, department chairpersons, and festival coordinators come and go on a daily basis.
Life goes on and music continues to be made, often better than before.
In the grand scheme of things, as related to future success as a clarinetist, it's all relatively insignificant ...GBK
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Author: tenorchick
Date: 2005-07-20 14:28
Thank you, MOST of you, for the words of encouragement.
Lelia, I think you're right that my problem is fear of the unknown. For the second time in two years I'm losing a director who I regarded as much more than a director, and the last time, the new director didn't match up to his predecessor. But I will definitely give this guy a chance and hope for a good year.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-07-20 15:45
Tenorchick, remember this:
The Brave die but once, cowards die a thousand deaths
Be brave - it will work out just fine. And even if by a long shot it doesn't, there's always College...... and you get to pick that.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-07-20 16:36
Lelia Loban,
Since I am only one of two people that posted prior to your message, I must be one of the persons "... calling tenorchick spoiled, or words to that effect." I believe you have taken some liberties in your interpretation of my message. Where did I imply spoiled or words to that effect? Also, I do not understand what "Better to do what we can to raise the level for everybody else" means.
I believe my message to Tenorchick was that she is fortunate to be in her present situation since all too often, others (including those that GBK has pointed out) really do not have such wonderful opportunities.
If you do not understand my intent now, I would be happy to chat with you via email; my email address is available in my profile.
HRL
Post Edited (2005-07-20 17:11)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-07-20 21:42
So, the director is being changed....big deal. Oh, it's a guy! Hope he gets some respect from the rest of the group.
Bob Draznik
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Author: mnorswor
Date: 2005-07-20 22:00
I agree with GBK. Suck it up and deal with it. If you don't want to, then get out. In the professional world, we deal with different conductors every WEEK! You're lucky to have this opportunity, so take it and run with it. Ultimately it's you who chooses whether or not to have a positive experience and remember, there are things to be learned even from the most negative experience.
Now go and practice and play your best ALL THE TIME!
--Michael
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Author: donald
Date: 2005-07-20 22:01
dear tenorchick
i don't understand what the problem is- the director is changing? why is that a problem? you say you need advice but it's not clear why you need it, so some of us have responded in a way that might have seemed less than kind. i'm sorry. just keep playing the good tunes, and so long as the program doesn't fold everything will be fine. Or you can audition for that other program.... but you already knew that.
donald
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Author: tenorchick
Date: 2005-07-20 23:11
So obviously I was upset last night. I guess what I meant in searching for "advice" was not so much wanting advice, rather I was looking for people who have had experience with this new director in the professional world. And I also am not planning on quitting GTCYS, I never had that intent. I thought about auditioning for another group as another playing experience in case my GTCYS experience didn't live up to what it was last year.
Of course I will go in and see what happens and try and be positive; unfortunately I've had experiences where people are negative about a new director and it pulls the whole group down. But after talking to my clarinet teacher today, I feel much more positive anyways.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-07-20 23:27
The Youth Orchestra in the major city nearby I won't even send students anymore to audition for it.
The Conductor is too much of a sleazebag, and a psycho. I take issue with both.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2005-07-21 04:37
David B....FYI, The GTCYS and the MYS are both top-notch organizations here in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Many many talented young musicians have participated, and I've never heard anything negative about their conductors, administrators, etc. Just so you know, I am a private teacher in the area, and have only had one student participate in the GTCYS summer program. I'd love to have her participate year-round, but she's not looking at clarinet as a career, and has way too much schoolwork.
Tenorchick: I have merely heard of Cary John Franklin. If he's the guy I'm thinking of, however, he's a good conductor. I have a friend in the area who is a conductor, and I believe he's mentioned him...Sorry I don't have more! p.s. Who's your private instructor? I am fairly curious...LOL!
And not to put you off, Tenorchick, but a young oboist (ca. 19 y.o.) friend of mine was in MYS and she said it was a better group. I don't think that would have been sour grapes coming from her...
Katrina
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-07-21 11:45
That's good.
Where I am (Phila.), a lot of the members of XXXX are leaving it and going cross town to another Youth Orchestra which used to be the underdog - all because of the psycho conductor.
He's a guy who takes pride in making students cry.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-07-21 13:05
On a completely different tack, I do hope you will consider St. Olaf to continue your education. The orchestra and band are both first rate and both do a considerable amount of touring. I played in orchestra many, many moons ago and found the experience one of the best of my college career.
Please feel free to contact me directly if you're interested.
Best regards,
Mary Vinquist
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Author: mnorswor
Date: 2005-07-21 13:44
David,
If it's who I'm thinking of, I understand that you have a Primo reason for not sending students. Yes?
Michael
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Author: tenorchick
Date: 2005-07-21 14:54
Interestingly enough Ken Shaw, St. Olaf has been my top choice for college since I was a freshman (I'll be a senior this fall). I attended the music camp last summer, and I always wanted to be in the band. However, now that I've had more orchestra experience and heard the Ole orchestra in concert this spring, I'm considering also going the orchestra route.
Katrina, which MYS orchestra was your friend in? I have heard the same thing about MYS being better from a few of my friends, but I've been happy with my GTCYS experience and so never thought about switching. If I had the time I would like to do both, but the time commitment is to much with my schedule.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2005-07-21 18:29
Tenorchick...It was a few years ago, so I don't remember which orchestra from MYS she was in. She's an outstanding oboist, and is at the U (of MN for those of you not from here ) and she's majoring in oboe performance. Because of that I suspect she was in the top orchestra at MYS...
Additionally, the Laureanos have had nothing but praise from anyone I've ever heard talk about them...
Food for thought at any rate!
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-07-22 17:19
To tenorchick,
send me a note at mvinquist@cs.com if you want to discuss St. Olaf.
Cheers,
Mary V.
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