 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Exiawolf
Date: 2015-03-16 05:23
Greetings!
I just had my all-state audition and over all the experience was great. Ten of my friends and I got to hang out and just do the thing we love, and regardless of if I did make the band or or not, it was more than well worth the time and effort! I nailed the scales, and almost nailed the etudes (not perfect, but quite well), however the sight reading was a crap shoot. My mind was not focused, and over all it was not impressive.
HOWEVER, as I sit here after what I would consider a good audition, curiosity reached me and made me wonder "What do you do and/or think about after an audition?". The lack of results is a constant nag on my mind at the moment, but not necessarily in a "bad" way per se. I love auditions because in the end I'm able to remind myself why I do this crazy phsychotic showbiz. After slaving away on scientifically machine made etudes and refining them all for "perfection", I get to once again sit down listen to beautiful music and play things I love with soul.
What do you do after an audition?
(By the way: I'll let you know my results once I receieve any word)
Post Edited (2015-03-16 09:51)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-03-16 05:51
I think it is always a good sign (at least a very healthy thing psychologically speaking) to be in a good mood after an audition.
I always got worked up and continued to fret well after most auditions. However, I had made some concerted efforts to approach the last audition with focus on musical minutia as a way to keep my brain positively focused. Even though that auditions didn't garner the position, I came out feeling very positive and had a very friendly conversation with those running the thing (something that NEVER would have happened when I would get all 'worked up.')
Keep it positive!!!!
..........Paul Aviles
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Author: Exiawolf
Date: 2015-03-16 06:02
I got good news, I found out 20 minutes ago that I did indeed make it into All-State! I don't know my ranking yet, but it's great news nonetheless
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2015-03-16 08:46
Congrats! In CA, we first audition by recording, and then if we're accepted we do a blind seating audition on the first day of all-state weekend. The blind audition can be very nerve-racking... 80-something clarinets all want a shot at first chair haha. The period between auditions and results is definitely stressful too, but at least we all get to watch a concert to take our minds off of it. After the concert everyone runs back to the hotel to see the results.
I ended up 10th chair in the top band (sight reading wasn't great) but then managed to snag a lucky opportunity to play solo alto clarinet instead (we played Lincolnshire Posy by Grainger, which has some alto cl solos)
Whenever I stress about all-state auditions, I remind myself that the great thing about all-state is that no matter what chair or what band you get, you know you're going to be playing good music and surrounded by good musicians.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2015-03-16 21:44
Congratulations!
When I last auditioned, back in the 1960s, I had no objectivity whatsoever about my own playing. As if time ran in reverse as I skidded back to total beginner-dom, after each seat jump or other audition, I thought I'd played my worst ever. You'd think that keeping first chair in the high school orchestra for four years might have taught me some overconfidence, at least, but no. I went on feeling doomed every time, until the stage-fright got so bad that after high school, I quit playing forever. (Forever, it turned out, lasted nine years.) So much for the rational intellect.
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: Slowoldman
Date: 2015-03-16 21:47
It's been decades since I have played competition-type auditions, but I remember them well. I grew up in NY State, and went to the annual NYSSMA festivals. Fortunately, in each of them, I felt that I had prepared and performed to the best of my ability (which doesn't mean I always deserved or received an "A"). I knew that I presented my true level well, so the judging I received was a "fair shake". Whether I made any of the All-State performing groups seemed less important than the overall experience. (For the record, I made a regional band, at 3rd clarinet, and was thrilled!) Most important, I always got good constructive feedback (verbal and written) from the adjudicators, making the whole feeling of the event "positive" and contributing to my playing growth. It probably helped that my band director back then presented the auditions to me as a learning opportunity, when he encouraged me to enter.
If the auditions where you live are set up as a similar "learning experience", rather than just a "competition" for All-State seats, sit back and reflect on how you felt about your playing, and compare your impressions to the judges' feedback you receive. Then start thinking about next year! Congratulations on the All-State selection, and good luck.
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-03-16 22:19
Ah, Slowoldman. When we auditioned I'll bet the State Festival was held at the now defunct Concord Hotel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concord_Resort_Hotel
While it's now held up in Rochester, a student of mine played, 36 years later, the same Berstein's Candide at this year's festival as I did.
===
A word on auditions..
Although the O.P. focused on the post audition aspect, slowoldman's comments about all the good that comes from simply auditioning can't be emphasized enough. The discipline required to be ready, the performance experience, the competition, these are all wonderful attributes that prepare students for the real world--even if they never make [performing] music their profession.
As for what happens afterwards, I think one should take a moment to address what went right or wrong, and make prelimary thoughts on what they might do to address deficiencies, and then MOVE ON, NOT DWELL ON IT, and get back to practicing as if it was before the audition.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2015-03-16 23:37
Well done!
I choke badly on most tryouts, so rarely play at my very best. It's usually when get a temporary slight case of the "don't give a @$!*%" that I do much better.
It's a balance between good stress with a sense or urgency but without going over the threshold of adrenalin totally taking over and compromising your concentration and causing your muscles to shake.
I tried out for one orchestra position years ago ... later one of the judges commented on the vibrato I'd used (I didn't get the gig). That was no vibrato, that was my nerves!
On a couple of occasions, I've walked away and just knew I had "nailed it" ... and had!
I've never left an audition feeling like I performed less than my best, that my fears weren't confirmed later. Although, sometimes you are your own worst critic, you often play a little better than your harsh self-critique.
When you "nail it", you'll know it!
Keep on going! It's all great fun!
Tom
Post Edited (2015-03-17 00:16)
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