 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-05-08 00:19
Hello everyone
I've entered two large competitions this year and one has already been and I didn't get in. However, it was extremely unfair - students from a nearby Academy were allowed to audition, and it's my university's concerto competition. What's worse is that 2 of the 3 winners are students from the academy. Does this seem extremely unjust to anyone?
In the second instance, my youth orchestra has a concerto competition and the forms have all been due and handed in and a timetable for auditions has been handed out. However, a girl who won it 2 years ago suddenly decides she wishes to enter, and the conductor allows this. Does anyone else think this is unfair, and very selfish of this girl? Can't she just give someone else a go?!
Given both instances, what do you think I should do? I was thinking simply send out a letter of complaint to each orginisation, but I'm not sure that wil get me very far. I was thinking of making appointments with the "people that matter" and discussing it with them in person so that they couldn't just lie their way out of it like they could in a letter.
My other idea is to boycott the concerto concert - gather as many people I can who also believe the situation is unfair and simply make ourselves unavailable to play this concert, therefore the conductors will have to bust their hump to find other people to play.
The worst thing is that in the first instance, the people who have been selected for the concerto concert from the academy are good friends of mine - it's not personal, just unfair.
Fair/unfair, wise/unwise, what do you think?
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2005-05-08 00:25
The first instance seems perfectly fair. Your university seems to be hosting an open competition. Unless its rules state that it is open to the university only, that's just the way they've decided to run it. You might lobby the organization to make it open only to your university in the future, but for now they're abiding by the rules they set.
The second instance seems somewhat unfair.
I think it would be unwise to make too big a deal out of the situations, though. Concerto competitions aren't the end of the world.
If you're going at it from the point of view of "they can't lie their way out of it," nothing good is likely to come of this.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: SVSorna05
Date: 2005-05-08 00:27
Morrigan,
However unjust this may seem to you...its not like they are cheating the results. As far as I gathered from your post the winner is still the MUSICIAN that plays the best. If you deserve to win and you show them by how you play...it shouldnt matter who enters. Look at it as more competition. Work that much harder. It might seem grim from your point of view, but put some elbow grease into it and surpirse yourself. Throughout life and definatley in playing in competitions you must take the unexpected into account and make adjustments from there. Hope this helps and good luck I know you will prepare well.
-Dain Vereen-
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-05-08 01:11
EEBaum yes the competition is my university's concerto competition, and I don't see why students from another institution were allowed to enter. They are simply taking up opportunities that could go to students of the university. I'm not implying that I might get a a go if they weren't allowed in, just that this whole situation in unfair on everyone at the university. Three students from the university should be playing the concerto concert, not one and three from elsewhere. It is also misrepresenting our institution.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2005-05-08 01:21
Morrigan wrote:
> EEBaum yes the competition is my university's concerto
> competition, and I don't see why students from another
> institution were allowed to enter.
If it's in the rules that it's open, then there's no problem, right? No misrepresentation, no nothing.
If the rules say that it is closed to students outside your uni, then of course it's unfair.
What do the rules of entry actually say?
BTW - complaining will probably get you nothing but grief in the long run, but it's your option.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-05-08 02:30
I don't think there is a book of rules anywhere but I'll certainly ask for them if they exist. Up until this year it's only ever been open to students of my university. What's why it's the "xxxxx school of music concerto competition"
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Author: SueSmith
Date: 2005-05-08 02:38
Regardless of the situation...concerto competitions are usually "unfair" for clarinetists...unless its a Clarinetists only deal...and even then...
If you want to pursue competitions take a spin on this Competitions Database:
http://www.stonalink.atfreeweb.com/asp_scripts/user_menu_options.asp?SessionID=852148169
You must register first, but it is well worth it. Search under Clarinet competitions and competitions for Instrumentalists general. If you are under 21, there are more than enough National competitions available to you. Most competitions are open for players under 25...some go up to 30.
And chances are, if you win one of these you will play with a better orchestra than the one your school provides...unless you attend a top conservatory.
Post Edited (2005-05-08 02:39)
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-05-08 03:31
Practice harder for next year, that's all you can really do if you want to win the 2 competitions that you mentioned. I hope you watch/watched these competitions to see what the winners play like so you can see what level of playing you need to have. As Sue said, try out many other competitions! Good luck!
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Author: donald
Date: 2005-05-08 04:00
many competitions have rules excluding past winners from entering, but others don't..... it's tough (i mention this in regard to the orchestra competition).
at least your university is promoting the competition and giving you time to prepare.... when i was at CCM the competition (both years) wasn't promoted, so only the "favourite students" of certain teachers had more than a couple of weeks to prepare.... plus some of us were told to perform full concerti from memory, yet others not (the Clarinet winner played Prem rhap, which isn't even a full length concerto, WITH the music!).
but
life is tough, and the music business will provide you with 110000000 reasons to get irate about "unfairness", so take this as an opportunity to start developing a thick skin, and learn to deal with it.
sorry
donald
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-05-08 04:01
If it's your University's Concerto Competition that (as almost always) it should be for your University's players and only those players.
If it's an open competition that happens to be "at" your University, than that's another thing.
But I don't know of very many of those as usually the Concerto Competition is for the students of that University.
Find out the rules and go with that - they must be posted or availiable somewhere..
Don't boycott anything as that isn't going to accomplish a bit and just make life harder for you in the long run.
Find out the rules and go from there!
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Author: Llewsrac
Date: 2005-05-08 04:06
Morrigan,
Complaining after the fact will only brand you in the eyes of "The Powers That Be" a bad apple, sore loser, trouble maker, or worse. Remember, you still have to face these people every day as a student.
The checking of rules should have been done before the auditions. But seeing you did not do this, check the rules & regulations for auditions as Mark stated. Based on what you discover, and the course of action you decide to follow, remember to conduct yourself and your comments in a professional, mature manner, childish undignified whining will be of no credit to you and could black ball you for the remainder of your University days. A private appointment with the Chairperson of the Department, or the conductor, to discuss your grievances is the best route. Open public discussion with fellow students I would avoid. Boycotts usually produce negative results if not totally back fires on you. In such a situration I would move into a pratice room and work to improve everything about my playing that kept me from winning in the first place, so when the next auditions come around my performance would be 110% stronger.
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Author: Anon
Date: 2005-05-08 12:38
It seems unfortunate that your school allows students from other institutions to participate in a "school" event, but I guess they must want an "open" competition for your area rather than a specific "school event."
The second situation seems unfair but I have to say (and I don't mean this harshly at all): Get Used To It. Things like this happen all the time in every industry and music is no different.
People win auditions because the committee fixed it, people get jobs because somebody's dad knew somebody's dad or they were in the same fraternity or went to the same school, people sleep their way into positions, etc. It's unfortunate but it's true.
The only thing you can do is prepare (for everything you do in whatever realm) the best you can and then hope things work out the way they're supposed to. And the way they're "supposed" to may not be always the way you wanted it to but you don't know that for years to come when you look back at it!
And try to not get cynical while you are taking this journey because bitterness and cynicism are visible a mile away. It's hard and sometimes I have to remind myself of this very advice!
As for the letter of disapproval: I did that once in college. I still believe to this day that I was right but it made for some discomfort between me and a conductor that I didn't enjoy. Just suck it up, practice hard, and keep trying. Most people eventually do figure out what's right and what's not!
Hang in there!
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Author: susannah
Date: 2005-05-08 22:20
Morrigan- you are from Melbourne right? Did I see you at the Melbourne International Festival of Single Reeds? Or did you boycott that becuase someone from Canberra won??
My advice about your situation? Stop whingeing and start practicing.
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Author: diz
Date: 2005-05-08 22:36
Morrigan ... move on mate, this sort of bitterness only brings dissapointment and resentment. So long as you play to the best of your ability, you only have to prove yourself to you and your teacher.
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2005-05-08 22:45
I advise against making a stink with the folks that promoted these competitions. Such reactions seldom affect the institution and can backfire on you.
I would, however, try to understand what's going on behind the scenes. This knowledge will allow you to "play the game" better.
I'm reminded of a colleague who qualified from the US for select studend orchestras in Europe. Auditions for first chair were always held as soon as possible after the Americans arrived; and virtually all of the solo seats were awarded to locals. Still, she got to go, to learn (and still play the honk honk crappy second parts).
Bob Phillips
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-05-08 23:58
I am starting to find out that the music world (and I am very new to it, don't get me wrong) can be..."unfair." However, I agree with above posters who said that if the rules of the university do not state that the competition is open only to students in your university, that there is no problem. Just practice more and maybe you'll get in next time. It may seem unfair, but it's not. It may bother you that these people got in and you (or others from your university) didn't get in, but that's a result of your audition, it's not their fault. Nor is it the university's for opening it up to them.
The second one seems unfair though; a deadline is a deadline, and no one should be allowed to enter a competition after the deadline, no matter how good they are. No use brooding about it, what happened happened and you can't change it after the fact. However, in this case I think you should call/write/meet with someone in charge, but be professional about it, don't be accusatory or childish. And make sure you have all your facts straight before you pursue this; it sounds like you don't really know everything that's going on, and they wont take you seriously if you don't know all the rules and the circumstances.
and just remember...connections in the world of music are VERY important, so it would do well not to piss anyone off.
-Lindsie
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-05-09 00:14
LOL susannah! I was there and that competition was completely fair. I didn't agree with the judges decision on the winner, but it was still fair. Your comment was a little mean-spirited don't you think.
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Author: susannah
Date: 2005-05-09 00:26
Morrigan - sorry, didn't mean to be rude, I guess I just don't think you're being hard done by - competitions are tough, but thats the way it is.
Ps. Who did you think should've won? Why? (and give me a clue to who you are!)
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-05-09 03:25
I think Mr. Henry should have won, I just thought he had great musical ideas and really put them out there, he had a great sound and his playing was much more refined than the other two finalists. The winner had musical intention but it didn't always come across. However, she has great technique and I think that's what won it for her.
Apparently the judges couldn't agree, either.
I played the Gershwin etudes at the student's concert on Tuesday.
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Author: susannah
Date: 2005-05-09 05:11
Thanks for your comments. I also thought i was lucky to win!!
Good luck with competition.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-05-09 05:20
Fthe first situation seems a bit unfar, by how you described it. Maybe the university has some kind of deal with the academy? They let the academy students join their competition and thye can use the academy students for extra player in orchestras or something like that.
The second situation look absolutely fair to me. I probably wouldn't do it, but still fair, as long as she plays something else of course. Maybe she has totally new ideas this time.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-05-09 11:53
Ohh I know exactly who you are now Susannah!
Congrats on winning, I also saw you perform the Weber in Geelong last year, I was in the orchestra.
For what it's worth, both concerto comps I entered I played the Weber.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-05-28 08:05
Well I still think concerto competitions are unfair.
In the end I decided to take everyone's advice- just bite my tongue and keep working and it's paid off.
I found out today that I won the second competition I mentioned in my first post, so this December I'll be performing Weber Eb concerto with orchestra!
Thanks for everyone's advice, you were all right - instead of wasting my energy on complaining, I spent it working hard for the audition.
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Author: SueSmith
Date: 2005-05-28 16:32
Morrigan - congrats!
Of course, you can't win them all...but you can always win some.
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Author: ginny
Date: 2005-05-28 17:14
Several local youth symphonies have concerto comps., instrumentalists (except piano) are limited to members.
In addition it's pretty obvious that seniors and really little prodigies get extra points, as I've heard little pianists who weren't as good as older ones win.
Finally, since they have many groups and each has a winner, programing is considered. If the Weber in Eb was played in the last few years that simply would not be selected regardless of how well played.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2005-05-30 12:54
Really? The Weber's been done quite a bit this year so far in my city (not by my youth orchestra though). I'm just contributing to it I guess!
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2005-05-31 14:45
I judge several competitions a year. Here are several things to remember about competitions:
1. Life is not "fair". Forget fairness. Just get out there and compete.
2. If it is a competition open to all instruments, it is difficult for a wind player to win. I know there will be howls of outrage, but for most judges, the wind concerto repertoire just does not compare with the stuff available for the violinists, cellists, and pianists.
3. If you cannot play your piece note perfect, do not waste your time or the competition's time. You will just be eliminated, and eliminated quickly. Remember, those violinists and pianists have been playing and studying since they were 5!
Sounds tough - is tough - but that's the way it is "out there".
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
World class clarinet mouthpieces
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