 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jen
Date: 1999-06-22 21:12
I will be auditioning for colleges on clarinet and was wondering if anyone had any recommended pieces for me to play. I really don't have a clue as to what pieces would be good for these auditions.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 1999-06-22 22:36
Jen wrote:
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I will be auditioning for colleges on clarinet and was wondering if anyone had any recommended pieces for me to play. I really don't have a clue as to what pieces would be good for these auditions.
Jen -
There's nothing wrong with asking. In fact, a clarinet prof will be impressed by a call asking what to prepare.
You will certainly be asked to play scales and arpeggios. If you can, you should be prepared on all major and minor scales and arpeggios, tongued and slurred, plus in thirds (C-E, D-F, E-G, etc.), plus a chromatic scale, diminished sevenths, and whatever else you can fit in. All out of Baermann Book 3. On each, be sure to include the partial octaves below the tonic note down to low E, and up to third ledger line G. You should also know the fingerings and be able to at least get out the higher notes up to high C.
You will probably be asked to play some orchestral excerpts. If you are, they will certainly include the Mendelssohn Midsummer Night's Dream Scherzo and the Beethoven 6th Symphony.
Probably the best solo is what you played for solo and ensemble contest this year. The Weber Concertino is always a good bet, and you should have parts of the Mozart Concerto prepared also.
Be sure to have several good reeds, including some a little harder and a little softer than what you usually play, since the altitude and the weather can make a big difference in how reeds respond. It wouldn't hurt to take along a Legere plastic reed as a backup.
If you have a choice (that is, if the auditioner doesn't start a metronome or clap the tempo), always play no faster than 90% of the tempo you worked a passage up to, so that you have something in reserve. Evenness is more important than speed.
Don't worry if you make a mistake. No one expects you to be perfect. Just keep going. Remember that you are by definition qualified. They wouldn't have given you an audition if they didn't think you had a good chance.
A lot depends on how you hit it off with the auditioner. There will be a lot of other people coming in, all of whom play about the same as you. Therefore, you need to make a good impression as a person as well as a clarinet player. Be polite, and accept any invitation to talk about yourself and your accomplishments. Ask the auditioner questions about the school and the type of people who do best there.
The day after the audition, write a short note to the auditioner, thanking him or her and saying something nice -- "You made me feel comfortable." "The music room and campus are beautiful." "I'd like very much to study with you."
Show them your best, but be yourself, and not what you imagine the auditioner wants you to be. You got where you are by hard work. Depend on that now. It's hard to act "natural" under the stress of an audition, but the more "you" you can be, the better.
Good luck. Let the list know how you do.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-06-23 00:46
In addition to what Ken said, two Rose' etudes, a fast technical one, and a slow, expressive, melodic (you know, the ones that are much harder than they sound) one would be good and in many cases required.
Some colleges, universities, and conservatories have required pieces, and possibly a memorized piece requirement. Check with them early!
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Author: Daniel
Date: 1999-06-23 03:38
Ken Shaw wrote:
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Jen -
You will certainly be asked to play scales and arpeggios. If you can, you should be prepared on all major and minor scales and arpeggios, tongued and slurred, plus in thirds (C-E, D-F, E-G, etc.), plus a chromatic scale, diminished sevenths, and whatever else you can fit in. All out of Baermann Book 3. On each, be sure to include the partial octaves below the tonic note down to low E, and up to third ledger line G. You should also know the fingerings and be able to at least get out the higher notes up to high C.
You will probably be asked to play some orchestral excerpts. If you are, they will certainly include the Mendelssohn Midsummer Night's Dream Scherzo and the Beethoven 6th Symphony.
Probably the best solo is what you played for solo and ensemble contest this year. The Weber Concertino is always a good bet, and you should have parts of the Mozart Concerto prepared also.
Be sure to have several good reeds, including some a little harder and a little softer than what you usually play, since the altitude and the weather can make a big difference in how reeds respond. It wouldn't hurt to take along a Legere plastic reed as a backup.
If you have a choice (that is, if the auditioner doesn't start a metronome or clap the tempo), always play no faster than 90% of the tempo you worked a passage up to, so that you have something in reserve. Evenness is more important than speed.
Don't worry if you make a mistake. No one expects you to be perfect. Just keep going. Remember that you are by definition qualified. They wouldn't have given you an audition if they didn't think you had a good chance.
I don't know how long Conservatories usually give for auditions. But most of the music schools I have auditioned for only allow 10-15 minutes for your audition. And i don't recall any of them asking for scales. Sure you have to know them for juries. But most schools i've seen don't even ask for anything more than major and minor scales and in thirds until after freshman year. Sure that syllabus is designed majors coming in at the lowest acceptable qualifcations for that school. And i've never heard of entering freshman playing orchestral excerpts for an audition, most high schoolers aren't ready to tackle that. Heck, most high schoolers aren't even ready for most of the standard recital literature.
But of course, it doesn't hurt to know all that stuff if you've gotten that far in your studies. But unless you're auditioning for an elite school or a school with very select openings, then it might be neccessary.
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Author: Marci
Date: 1999-06-23 14:27
In addition to the suggestions of Ken, you may also want to consider finding two solos that contrast both in style and time period in which they were written. For example, I played the cadenza from the Copland Concerto and two movements from Weber's Clarinet Quintet. Hope that helps. =)
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-06-24 00:37
Daniel wrote:
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And i've never heard of entering freshman playing orchestral excerpts for an audition, most high schoolers aren't ready to tackle that. Heck, most high schoolers aren't even ready for most of the standard recital literature.
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Off the top of my head:
DePaul, USC, New England Conservatory, Cleveland, Eastman, U of Michigan, Michigan State, Curtis, Juilliard, Northwestern all ask for or expect orchestral excerpts to be ready as part of the auditioning process for entering freshmen.
I'm sure other schools have different requirements. It all depends on what you're expecting.
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Author: Erin
Date: 1999-06-24 04:44
Daniel wrote:
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And i've never heard of entering freshman playing orchestral excerpts for an audition, most high schoolers aren't ready to tackle that. Heck, most high schoolers aren't even ready for most of the standard recital literature.
If high schoolers aren't ready for orchestral excerpts, how can they play in youth orchestras?
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Author: Daniel
Date: 1999-06-24 06:39
Mark Charette wrote:
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Off the top of my head:
DePaul, USC, New England Conservatory, Cleveland, Eastman, U of Michigan, Michigan State, Curtis, Juilliard, Northwestern all ask for or expect orchestral excerpts to be ready as part of the auditioning process for entering freshmen.
Like i said, i don't really have any experience with the elite schools. CIM only asks for a single pre-selected orchestral work usually, along with a solo piece and the Mozart (and of course scales). If i had financial means to even attend an audition for some of the top music schools in the country, i would have tried. But there's always next year after i've done my two years at the local community college. But i do find it a bit excessive to ask entering freshman to do orchestral excerpts at a state school unless they've already had a full four years of university-style musical education.
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Author: Daniel
Date: 1999-06-24 06:43
Erin wrote:
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If high schoolers aren't ready for orchestral excerpts, how can they play in youth orchestras?
I said MOST high schoolers. As with anything in life, there are exceptions. And also, not all youth orchestras are of phenominal quality. I can't even begin to count how many youth orchestra concerts i've heard where the solos were simply played but obviously not examined or worked on. They might get the notes exactly right, but destroy articulation or not match pitches, or not know anything about the difference in composer styles or musical period styles. But those that are great players and study with good teachers, they often to a fine job.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-06-24 11:47
Daniel wrote:
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>CIM only asks for a single pre-selected orchestral work usually, along with a solo piece and the Mozart (and of course scales).
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They sure _expected_ more than that; both teachers looked at my son's repertoire list (required) and asked for more.
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>If i had financial means to even attend an audition for some of the top music schools in the country, i would have tried.
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Come on - that's lame, Daniel. Almost all allow taped auditions. While live is always better, tape is at least available. Most if not all of these schools have significant financial aid available, both need and talent based. Curtis, of course, costs nothing to attend, and will provide assistance for room and board.
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>But i do find it a bit excessive to ask entering freshman to do orchestral excerpts at a state school unless they've already had a full four years of university-style musical education.
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U of Michigan and Michigan State both have world-class music programs; I'll guess Indiana has similar requirements, too.
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Author: Daniel
Date: 1999-06-24 21:26
I'm rather against tape audition. While it's okay for a first round of a competition where you'll be called again to do a live audition, i don't feel it's apropriate for a scholarship audition. My teacher has me preparing to make a studio recording to send to the clarinet professors at some of my various choices for transfer, and await a response as to whether they think it's even work making the trip in the spring for auditions. If not, i'll save money i don't have.
I had been expecting to go to UNT, but my family isn't financially challenged enough to recieve financial aid. And according to the government, we should be able to pay $30,000 a year for school before financial aid is required. (how they figure that out of a family who barely make $30,000, i'll never figure out). Lukcily i'm having better grades in college than i did in high school so i might get some academic money. But the most UNT offers for music scholarships is $1250 (or was, i heard it's down to $1000).
But anyway... this isn't a therapy group.. heh
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-06-24 21:57
Daniel:
The University of North Texas (UNT) is a State sponsored public university in Texas. It has a renowned music school. There are two tiers of tuition for students of public universities in Texas. There's an absolutely outrageous rate for out-of-State residents and there is a much more reasonable in-State rate that's offered to Texas residents and many foreign students. There are ways to become eligible for the in-State rate and at the same time help with the costs of living and tuition. Been there, done that.
Email me for more details on how to "play the tuition game" for Texas universities.
My real point here is that you should not let the cost of the education get in the way of getting the education, if that's what you want. Been there, done that, too.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-06-24 23:25
Daniel wrote:
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I'm rather against tape audition. While it's okay for a first round of a competition where you'll be called again to do a live audition, i don't feel it's apropriate for a scholarship audition.
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You may not feel it's appropriate - but I know first-hand that you can receive talent-based scholarships with them.
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financially challenged enough to recieve financial aid. And according to the government, we should be able to pay $30,000 a year for school before financial aid is required. (how they figure that out of a family who barely make $30,000, i'll never figure out.
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Then you seriously screwed up some forms or your family has some very good assets, even if they aren't in a cash form. I know what I make, and I know what the government feels I can afford. While I don't think I can afford what they say I can, it was nowhere near 1 years salary. If I total my assets + 1 years salary - it was about 20%.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-06-24 23:27
paul wrote:
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The University of North Texas (UNT) is a State sponsored public university in Texas. It has a renowned music school. There are two tiers of tuition for students of public universities in Texas. There's an absolutely outrageous rate for out-of-State residents and there is a much more reasonable in-State rate that's offered to Texas residents and many foreign students.
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The two-tier system is prevalent in every state school I've seen. U of Michigan is relatively inexpensive for a resident, very expensive for non-residents, with special rates for foreign students.
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Author: Daniel
Date: 1999-06-25 04:56
paul wrote:
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Daniel:
The University of North Texas (UNT) is a State sponsored public university in Texas. It has a renowned music school. There are two tiers of tuition for students of public universities in Texas. There's an absolutely outrageous rate for out-of-State residents and there is a much more reasonable in-State rate that's offered to Texas residents and many foreign students. There are ways to become eligible for the in-State rate and at the same time help with the costs of living and tuition. Been there, done that.
I am in Texas as well so i would receive the lower tuition anyway. And i am very familiar with the music program there. I know Drs. Scott and Gillespie fairly well, and Eugene Corporon was my conductor my junior year for my region band.
Up until a few years ago, UNT used to be able to offer full scholarships. Then the state put a cap on their scholarships. When i first auditioned for me, the most they would offer (and what they offered me) was $1250. Now i have been told it is $1000.
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Author: Daniel
Date: 1999-06-25 04:59
The way UNT runs things (and i'm sure it's the same at other state schools), even out of staters can get the in state tuition. At NT, if you receive a any scholarship from the music department whatsoever, you automatically get to pay the in state fee.
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Author: Jill E.
Date: 1999-06-26 17:52
My daughter just finished her Senior year, and she auditioned at 3 different schools. Each asked for something different. One wanted just one solo (accompanied) and an interview; at another she played 2 solos and interviewed with a panel; at another she played 2 Rose etudes, part of a solo (unaccompanied), sightread, and interviewed--all with only the clarinet professor. Just ask what is required, and prepare well. My daughter played the Weber Concertino and the Brahms F-minor. She was offered scholarships at all 3 schools.
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