 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Brian Peterson
Date: 2000-12-23 20:47
It's been two years since I started playing again after about a ten year break. I'm getting kind of tired just playing for myself and would like to try my hand at something more than the occasional worship prelude at church.
So, I've signed up for the Austin (TX) Chamber Music Center spring semester as an adult amateur. I'm supposed to play an audition in a couple of weeks for which I've selected a couple of Rose etudes that are just about ready, that is I think they are. I realized yesterday that it had been nearly fifteen years since I last played an audition, so it could be interesting, especially when they give me the piece I'm supposed to sight read.
My question is, have any of you participated in this program or are any of you familiar with it in any way? Just wondering what I might expect. Thanks for any responses in advance and Merry Christmas!
brianp
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Author: Stephen Froehlich
Date: 2000-12-24 03:20
I have a friend who is a plays Cello (sp?), and has participated in their workshops several times. I believe the people who run it are Unitarians, so they usually end up performing at the Universalist church here (right near the Texas school for the Blind and the Health Dept.
Of couse, none of us have checked the chronicle or kmfa.org yet.
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Author: Brian
Date: 2000-12-24 03:50
If anyone is interested they have a website www.austinchambermusic.org. There is lots of info. there re. schedule of events, progams for youth and adults, etc. Who knows, they might even be willing to join the list of sneezy sponsors.
Brian
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-12-24 12:28
In addition to looking into this, check around and see if there are any community bands in your area. These are usually a great deal of fun and generally need all the players they can get.
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Author: Brian
Date: 2000-12-24 14:28
Dee
Unfortunately that is not the case in Austin. The Austin community band actually has a long waiting list to get in which isn't very encouraging for a relatively new guy in town like me who wants to play in an ensemble now.
Brian
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-12-24 15:20
What about some of the outlying communities? You might be able to find one in one of the suburban cities or even one of the towns a few miles from Austin.
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Author: Stephen Froehlich
Date: 2000-12-25 01:00
I hadn't thought about it, but I guess thats true for most sections in the Austin Symphonic Band. The Civic Orchestra's wind section is usually full of competent players too.
I guess its what we get for having a decent music school in town.
I'm just getting back in to things, and have just purchased a bass (its in the mail as we speak) and will be looking around for an ensemble come January. One of the advantages of being a bass clarinet is that its easier to get into ensembles, but still, this town is crowed with musicians, which is, after all, a GOOD thing.
There are lots of small groups in communities up in the hill country, though that is quite a drive.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2000-12-25 03:06
If you're that new in town, maybe you could find a church music program that offered a bit more challenge and variety than the kind you mentioned. After 25yrs, I got back into playing in a church group. About 3/4 of the players are pros or pro-quality. They play like it, sound like it, and rehearse like it. It's really a great group to play with.
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Author: Steph
Date: 2000-12-25 07:22
Hey Brian,
You might try the "other" community band in Austin.
Austin Civic Wind Ensemble
Web address
www.onr.com/acwe
We are especially looking for low clarinets, but contact the maestro
who is listed on the web address.
Rehearsals start 2nd week of January, Tuesday evenings 7:30 TX school for the blind and visually impaired
Steph
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Author: Brian
Date: 2000-12-25 16:01
I appreciate everyone's feedback. Fred, I had probably stay with the church where I am considering that in addition to the resident clarinet player, I'm also the pastor. Steph, thanks for the info about the civic wind enseble. I'll be sure to check it out if the chamber music gig doesn't pan out, but considering that they've already cashed my registration fee check, I guess they're obliged to fit me in somewhere, that is unless I bomb the audition.
Merry Christmas one and all and perhaps in the new year all of us Austin area clarinetists can get together for a "welcome Mark" gathering at Scholz's Beer Garden or something. I'd be glad to set it up.
Brian
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Author: jerry
Date: 2000-12-25 17:11
"...all of us Austin area clarinetists can get together for a "welcome Mark"
gathering at Scholz's Beer Garden or something. I'd be glad to set it up."
Brian-
I'm not in Austin (Dallas) but would like to know when this happens. Slim chance, but perhaps I could make it, if the timing happens to be right.
~ jerry
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-12-25 17:56
What, did I hear the sound of a keg being tapped????
You tell me where & when - I'll be there 8^) I live up in the NW side of town (near 4 corners) but with my trusty new bright red VW bug I can get anywhere!
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2000-12-26 17:16
Brian -
Back to your original (pre-beer) question, the Rose Etudes are just right.
They may ask you to play some scales and arpeggios, so practicing them would help.
For any sight-reading test, take it slower than your first instinct. It's more important to get through than to set a tempo you can't hold and have to stop. If they tell you to try it again faster, you will have a big advantage, since you will already have read the music through once.
Good luck. Let us know how it comes out.
Ken Shaw
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Author: deebee
Date: 2000-12-26 18:35
...could be the genesis of "Scholz's Chalumeaux"...(hic)...
..."Brian's Buffets?"...
..."The Austin Tea Party?"..."Leblanc Expressions?"...better stop while I'm behind 
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Author: Robert Carrillo
Date: 2001-03-12 23:38
This is so cool! I played clarinet at the Austin Chamber Music Center last year (my sophomore year). I go to the Interlochen Arts Academy now, but I'm always really pleased to see about peple in Texas and especially Austin! I had such a great experience at the Chamber Music Center. I learned so much about playing in an ensemble. I think you will thouroughly enjoy it! If you can, say hi to my friend Will Wysocki. He is a senior in high school,and plays clarinet at the Chamber Music Center and in the Austin Wind Ensemble. Well, enjoy!
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