 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ClarinetConnoisseur
Date: 2005-05-27 20:38
I'm considering hiring an agent, or at least someone to publicize me. I was wondering if I'm too young for that. I'm a freshman in high school, but I have made history here: I've made the District Honors band the past three years, received a Superior rating at the Super Solo festival this year, got 1st chair in the All-State Band, been invited to an honors high school clarinet choir, been the first ever freshman to letter at my school, and I am a freshman clarinet section leader (1st chair). I'm looking for more performances to prepare me for college, because I really want to be a professional musician. I'm just not sure how to get the proper recognition it takes to get the jobs. Could someone please help me?
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Author: hans
Date: 2005-05-27 21:21
ClarinetConnoisseur,
In the recent thread by Morrigan, "How do you choose where to study next?", Ken Shaw posted a wonderful list of ways to become well known. You may find some useful ideas there.
Hans
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-05-28 02:53
That's a good start, but only a start. Go for some of the competitions such as the International Clarinet Assc. Competition (High School), and some Concerto Competitions of Orchestras which are open to players in your area, state, or open to a larger area.
Hiring an agent would be a complete waste of time for you and them. Get the recognition first (1st chair all state is very good - but quite common still) and the gigs will come to you.
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Author: ClarinetConnoisseur
Date: 2005-05-28 03:13
Thanks for all the help. I'm probably entering the Young Artist's Competition in 2006, because Atlanta is only a few hours away from where I live, unlike Tokyo. I'm also entering a local concerto contest. It's not very publicized, but I'd get to perform with the local symphony here. I am glad you think that an agent is a waste of time, because I've asked everyone here, and most of them concurred. I guess I'm getting ahead of myself. By the way, do you know where I can find out the repertoire for the 2006 ICA Young Artist's Contest? The ICA site only has the music for the 2005 contest. Thanks!
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-05-28 03:44
As agents go (disclaimer, I'm an online agent) the ones who are worth having wouldn't take you, and the ones who would at this point wouldn't be the ones you should go with.
Also, you should be attending a major summer music festival. Too late now to go to one as they close in Oct, Nov or slightly later, but nows the time to think about next summer.
Audition for one of the major ones such as Tanglewood, Interlochen, etc and flex your muscles with other similar talents.
Being the best is not a good thing as that means that you aren't being pushed to go beyond your "limits". The better the players you surround yourself with, the better you will become.
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Author: ClarinetConnoisseur
Date: 2005-05-28 15:44
I'm considering going to Tanglewood next summer. One of my bassoon friends is going this year, and she's going to tell me all about so I might go with her next year. Is Brevard a good summer program? I have a not-so-detailed brochure on it, and I was hoping someone might have more info.
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Author: SueSmith
Date: 2005-05-28 16:26
Good summer programs for winds:
Tanglewood, Aspen, Brevard, Roundtop, Kent-Blossom, and National Rep Orchestra - among other's I'm sure I've omitted.
Another interesting link I came accross was for a summer orchestral institute in MD...National Orchestral Institute at U of MD. Could be a very good program, perhaps someone on this board has participated in it.
Also, here is a link to a database of various summer programs...including chamber music: http://www.music.indiana.edu/music_resources/festival.html
Definately audition for more than one of these...Tanglewood is a toughie and rep wise is at the top of most people's list. Usually 2 clarinetists from the Boston area get in (NEC and BU students)... last year it was one from Boston (attends NEC, studies with a BSO member and is related to a member of BSO) and one from NYC on BCl. I believe someone else from that year was attending school in Boston but was not native to MA. I don't know who made the cut this year. But understand that they take 4 clarinetists and one or two bass clarinetists. Thats it. Former exceptional players can be asked back...but that doesn't occur as often for wind players as strings.
Tanglewood has a longer audition list than Roundtop (which usually has 3 excerpts - DonJuan, Beeth 6 and I think Capriccio - which they post online and the mozart)...Aspen's is fairly long as well, but I think there is only one wind fellowship and others have to pay full tuition of get financial aid. On the upside, Tanglewood is full fellowship to all accepted members. Also, Tanglewood's audition list is pretty consistant from year to year... Midsummer's Scherzo, Beethoven 6 & 8, Brahms 3, Shosh 9, Ravel D&C, Rach 2 (Nielsen quintet was taken off the list a couple years ago for some reason) and always, Mozart Concerto. I may have forgotten an excerpt, but thats the basic lists...stuff that is almost ALWAYS asked in a pro audition.
Here's some advice for Tanglewood...since I am very familiar with the program. Don't audition until you are ready. You technically have until you are 30...so no need to rush if you are 18. The worst thing to do is to go in there unprepared and create a bad reputation for yourself. Personally, I've seen players forever blacklisted due to one extremely poor audition performance. Remember, this is not a blind audition...you will be remembered. Also, those NEC and BU clarinetists study with BSO members, and there are more than a dime a dozen up in Boston. They prepare from day one for that Tanglewood audition. I'm not saying you could not get in, but realize that the odds of getting into Tanglewood are slim for any clarinetist outside the loop. There are many fine programs across the country...so definately keep your options open.
Post Edited (2005-05-28 16:29)
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Author: Llewsrac
Date: 2005-05-28 17:33
Brevard is outstanding. I have had many students attend this summer music camp. For more details either contact the camp,( contact information on mailout) or Dr. Bob Palmer. The camp office or Bob will send you all the additional information you might require. Not only is the instruction first class but so is the beautiful location.
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Author: ken
Date: 2005-05-29 03:02
Bravo! Why spend personal funds on a publicist to promote your musical career when you've got warm, charitable, and knowledgeable clarinetists right here on Woodwind.org to volunteer their own free advice so you can become rich and famous? Outstanding post Sue Smith. v/r Ken ![[mad]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie9.gif)
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Author: allencole
Date: 2005-05-29 04:33
Very good info here from Sue Smith, and I reread Ken Shaw's post from Morrigan's thread. Much to consider here, so I hope you're reading it carefully, Clarinet Conniseur. [sic]
I would also add that if you are first chair in your All-State Band, you ALREADY have as much publicity and reputation as that position merits. In the pond you currently swim in, all the fish know who you are and you have some terrific resume items for a high school freshman. As you start swimming in larger ponds, I believe that this will also be true.
I don't think that any of us actually regard you as dime-a-dozen but it is a cold hard fact that each year, there are approximately 50 clarinetists who take the first chair in their All-State band. Add to this the number of principal clarinetists in All-State orchestras, and you can see just how much competition there is for the little amount of attention that is paid to clarinetists.
In the circles where you need to be known, I think that your ongoing level of performance will provide the notoriety that you need. I'm not sure that an agent would be of much use even to most professional orchestral players. It seems to me that agents would be more oriented to get you performing before the public--and this is an area where you can help yourself.
I suggest the following:
1 - Take the greatest possible advantage of your scholastic opportunities, and talk to your private teacher about getting on the local contest circuit if you aren't there already.
2 - Consider participating in some adult amateur groups. Maybe a community band or orchestra, or a church or chamber group. Develop a reputation for being a team player and not a prima donna. This will earn you a lot of respect.
3 - If you're out to be recognized as a performer, get some of your colleagues together and form a chamber group that can perform at various venues in your area. Also, ask your private teacher about the idea of giving a recital in the next year or two.
These things, even if done at levels that you think are pedestrian, might do a lot for you as you develop along normal lines.
Allen Cole
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Author: SueSmith
Date: 2005-05-29 05:19
OH...I didn't realize that Clarinet Connoiseur was still a Freshman in HS. I mis-read that part of your post thinking you had had all this notority since your freshman year.
Well, I think there may be some age restrictions to several of those festivals. Tanglewood is usually open only to those aged 18 and up. This is due to the dormatory situation...living with other "adults". I can assume that exceptions have been made, but I can assure you they are few and far between.
There is a Tanglewood Festival associated with Boston University that is open for HS aged musicians 15-18 titled BUTI - Boston University Tanglewood Insititute. Instead of 8 weeks it is broken down into several two week sessions.
For more information visit www.bso.org and click on the Tanglewood link at the top of the page. There should definately be info about BUTI on that site.
And check the age requirements for these festivals. Some will allow HS kids and some wont...
Good Luck!
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Author: ClarinetConnoisseur
Date: 2005-05-29 19:30
Thanks for everyone's help! I've considered a lot of it, and my parents are talking about letting me attend Brevard (if I get accepted!), so I think that's a good start. I'm also entering some concerto competitions, so that will provide me with good experience. I'm taking private lessons with a member of the Nashville Symphony and the Professor of Music at MTSU, so maybe they'll have some info on upcoming events I should consider. Thanks again for the wonderful advice!
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-05-29 20:35
I would think that the Nashville Sym. has a young artists competition that you could audition for.
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Author: vin
Date: 2005-05-29 21:30
Sue- NOI in Maryland is a lot of fun and the level of the woodwinds and brass the year I went was very high; strings, much less so. Perhaps it has changed since then. It is most definately a college-only festival, however.
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