 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: rollercoastermike
Date: 2008-01-04 04:00
I'm preparing the Mozart concerto for an audition, and I'm wondering if it matters which clarinet (Bb or A) I play it on. I have an A student clarinet, but it doesn't play very nicely.
Also, what do you guys recommend for college audition attire (I'll be a freshman next year)? Definitely not going in a short-sleeve t-shirt--I was thinking along the lines of a sports jacket/blazer, whatever you want to call it, and some sort of intriguing tie... or maybe not the intriguing tie?
Thanks for the help.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-01-04 04:08
Just make sure that your tie is not more memorable than your playing. ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
A conservative sports jacket and tie would give a nice professional visual impression...GBK
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2008-01-04 04:48
When given the choice, I audition and perform in a solid-color long-sleeve collared shirt and black or off-white pants. Formal but comfortable. (well, sometimes I prefer to perform in a tux, but never for an audition) If I don't know the people, I might reluctantly wear a tie, or at least throw one in my case and decide when I get there.
Probably depends on where you're auditioning.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2008-01-04 23:59
I like Alex's attire ideas. I actually like that a lot. I'll remember it for the day in the future when I FINALLY get the time/guts to audition for a college to get some sort of degree in music.
Alexi - Not going anytime soon as I am moving around a lot with the military and my next duty station isn't anywhere CLOSE to a college with a musical degree.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: davyd
Date: 2008-01-05 02:13
I'm inclined to think you should use the Bb if that's what will sound better, though you might bring the A as well and unpack it if asked. Do colleges expect prospective students to have pro-quality equipment going in?
As for dress: you should treat an audition as you would a job interview (since that's what it is): nice clothes, polished shoes, shaved, haircut, etc.
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Author: crnichols
Date: 2008-01-05 02:42
I would absolutely recommend wearing at mininum a sport coat/blazer with slacks and a button down shirt, preferably with tie. A suit is better.
Your appearance is their first impression of you before you open your mouth, and this is very important. You want to appear serious and professional. If you have a good A clarinet in fine condition, I'd recommend performing on that instrument (what do you mean by student instrument in this instance?). You'd be performing the piece as it is most commonly heard. Again, you'd come across as more serious. If your A clarinet is an aural "eyesore," just leave it at home... You don't want to sound anything but your best!
Good luck!
Christopher Nichols, D.M.A.
Assistant Professor of Clarinet
University of Delaware
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2008-01-05 02:43
Definitely play your audition on your Bb if it's a solo, unaccompanied audition. If you're entering college, I think they'd be a little more lenient on you not having a good quality A clarinet. Of course I'm not sure how high profile conservatories would view it, but like it was said above, how many students can they expect to have been able to afford to buy a professional quality A clarinet when they've only been of legal working age for a year or two?
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-01-05 11:09
My A Clarinet going into College was complete crap. It felt like I was blowing into an Elephant's trunk. (was a Wooden Conn).
Eventually I got a Selmer 10 which wasn't much better, and then a 10G which was quite good.
Playing the Brahms Trio on that Conn was a traumatic experience with all of the adjusting that I had to do.
I'd play the audition on the Bb and bring your A just in case they ask for anything on it, but they probably won't.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Imperial Zeppelin
Date: 2008-01-05 15:10
My $0.02...
Shirt and tie, YES. Jacket, suit or tux, I'd say not. My D auditioned 3 audition seasons ago and I can't remember any male in a jacket, suit or tux, but virtually all of them did wear ties.
The "A" could be problematic. I wonder how a KV 622 Bb version will fly, but if you sound better on that horn, then by all means use it. Most schools let you use Weber concertos instead of Mozart. Why not stick to a Bb repetoire? I'm not sure if bringing the "A" along is a good idea since they may ask you to play it. Your probably better off just saying you have yet to obtain a good quality "A" horn.
As for what "hardware" most kids have at college auditions, from our experience over 80% are using professional horns, almost all R-13s. These data are from "name" schools like Eastman, Peabody and IU.
Good luck rollercoaster! The name is most appropriate as the next 4 months of your life will be one rollercoaster ride! Hope that it all works out.
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Author: Bradley
Date: 2008-01-05 17:50
Play on the Bb.
I remember my accompanist not showing up for a competition I was participating in, and with a last-minute pity offer from someone else's accompanist who was already there, I suddenly realised his music to the Mozart was for Bb transposed. I quickly got out my Bb, and with all the confusion I had no nerves left for the actual performance. No memory slips or anything, and I won the competition on Bb. I still sort of attribute the win to my accompanist not showing up!
Another example is this week we had auditions for placement at school. The artist diploma (and oldest) student got a swab stuck in his A and had to do everything on Bb. He was advanced, as always, I believe at the top of the 1st round.
I've encountered only one professional that has a serious aversion to the Mozart on Bb. Don't worry about it. Your playing will speak for itself, and they can always ask you to perform on A (if this is a concerto competition) if you're performing in the winner's concert.
As for attire, anything formal and fairly conservative should do. You want to be memorable because you're dressed well, but you don't want to stick out just because you're dressed differently.
Bradley
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Author: theclarinetguy
Date: 2008-01-06 18:41
I would say play it on Bb. But I like what Zeppelin about sticking to Bb repetoire. I know some teachers don't like teaching the Mozart to early but then again they probably hear Weber and Mozart on every audition. Just remember if you do play the Mozart use the horn that sounds the best and make the audition memorable.
Micheal
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