 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ted Donaldson
Date: 2002-07-25 12:05
Well, let me start with a friends story first. My friend is a really good clarinet player. Well, she went to try out for all state and made 2nd chair. Then when all county came around, she made 29th.
My point here, is that auditions are always different, and sometimes we screw up bad, but sometimes we don't. Now the juicy story about me.
Well, I was digging through some archives this morning and found out who was in the all state band. Well to my surprise, the first chair bass was 2nd chair in my county. Yours truly was first. So... I really hope I make it.
Oh, and one question, which is better. For our state in middle scool, they used to have middle school all state, and middle school honors. That just confused me a little bit.
Thanks,
Ted
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Author: David Dow
Date: 2002-07-25 12:55
Auditions are extremely subject to whims of the moment. if the player is playing badly sometimes the panel may hear things that afford a glimpse into technical problems and limitations, unfortunately maybe even this will bias the decision as to whether the player gets what they want or not. Remember, if we also play really well the panel may also perceive that the applicant would be of help in an are where current ensemble is weak. As an orchestral player who works on audition committes for my orchestra--- the judging process has tremendous limitations. Usually we only see the worst, and find nerves tend to be the deciding factor whether a player makes it into the group or not. At the same time, a smart judge or panelist will realize that you have to cut some slack as well...Good Luck and happy Clarineting!
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2002-07-25 13:45
In my high school days, I always felt I was multiple times better than the best players from other schools in my area. At the district and region levels there were always certain players who I'd dependably beat. Then we'd go on to the area level, where if you make the cut of the top 11 players, you automatically make state. Most of the tryout material was from the Klose and Rose books, and we'd all file into the audition room and take turns playing the pieces the judges called, all while their backs were turned to us. And it seemed like there were always one or two players whom I'd beaten at the lower levels would rise up and beat me. Here we all were, playing standard method stuff, all herded into the same room playing to judges who couldn't see us, about as impartial as it could get, and the normally-dependable results would change. What does that tell you?
Well, it tells me that they get some kind of alien mutant judges who have eyes in the back of their head and can see who's playing what and they pick out their little pets for state. I'm sure of it, and I won't rest until I expose this shameful practice and both you and I can claim our rightful places among the elite.
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Author: Mindy's Mom
Date: 2002-07-25 18:46
Ted -- as to your question about "all-state" versus "honors", there is a difference but you will never know the honors. In fact there is or used to be TWO "honors" bands. Let me explain. All-State is just that -- the best of the state. However, as you know (if you talk to your band teacher -- tell Mr. Boone I said hi) our district is one of the BEST in the state. Therefore we have a bit on an "advantage" over other districts. Some of the other districts are devoid of any "talent" in the private teaching pool. That is not meant to be derogatory but the truth -- there are just not many teachers for instruments in the "back-woods" of our state. The better teachers relocate to the central part of the state because the job market is better. Now all that is to say that there are some schools who "know" they will never get a student into all-state so the band association developed a way to get around that-- they developed the "honors" band. That means that if they have someone who plays "well", they can NOMINATE them for a position in the honors band. Also, there is a "small school honors band" where you are also nominated and your schools are small (sometimes inclusive of both middle and high school). Does that help you with your question?
As to the auditions, for all-state you are playing for a TAPE and at all-county you are playing "live". I hate to say that sometimes the all-state auditions are "fixed (they are NOT) but that does not mean that they "listen to ALL the tapes. Let me explain -- there are over 200 tapes sent in to a "judge" who has to listen to them in his "spare time" and come to a decision. Listening to that many tapes over the course of SEVERAL DAYS, they may "forget" what one person sounded like, or they may have had an exceptionally good tape or an exceptionally POOR tape (speaking quality here) or they MAY have gotten "tired" of listening (I would HOPE that is not the case but anything is possible). There are some judges who really spend a TON of time on these tapes (my daughters teachers who has judged 11-12 grader all-state clarinets is one who does this). They have a system and really try to do the best. There is a story about her, she had to judge all-state and one of her BEST students was in "mix" -- she figured she would have been able to "pick her out" of the group- - guess what --- she didn't even make all-state that year!!!!!! There are MANY factors that contribute to the judging of all-state tapes. Tapes are NOT the way to go but in our case that is what we have to live with until the assoc makes some changes. You could also say that some of the ones who auditioned for all-county DID NOT audition for all-state and therefore she was beaten fairly (not usually the case, but........) Don't hold too weight with the audition placements all the time --- they are SUBJECTIVE and each judge will have a different opinion of the player -- no matter HOW they auditioned.
Email me if you wish 
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Author: Matt
Date: 2002-07-25 19:05
Ted:
My opinion is that you shouldn't worry so much about what you can't control. All it will do is affect your attitude. It's better IMO to just keep focused on playing to the best of your ability. Work on being the best you can be in your own eyes, and learn from those around you who you consider to have better technique, tone, .... You can also learn from those who you think are not as good as you.
The world is not built on an even playing field, and that is a good thing. It makes us learn how to handle the unexpected. You'll get used to it.
MOO,
Matt
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Author: Michael McC.
Date: 2002-07-25 20:46
Down here in South Carolina, it seems like the same people always sit first in region honor bands, but they are not the best players. Plus the judges score differently in different times of the day, like low in the morning to allow for better players. If you have the first audition, like I have a tendency to do, you are usually better than some of the people above you. The best time, in my opinion, is right after lunch, because they are always happy to have eaten.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-07-25 22:59
Is there more to life than "All State"? - I think so.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-07-26 03:06
This thread accurately defines the difference between
hockey (a sport)
and figure skating (theater)....
the judging.
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