 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Alfred
Date: 2009-08-14 18:57
Since I'm preparing for college auditions, I wanted to ask, what do you all think about using the Copland Concerto for college auditions? Is it something commonly done? Overdone? Do colleges "look" for you to do it like, say, the Mozart?
Also, if I do use it for auditions, which part should I use? Slowly and Expressively, the Cadenza, or Rather Fast? If it comes down to what best showcases my abilities, it's the rather fast portion. But, I'd like some input.
Thanks, all.
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Author: Rob Vitale
Date: 2009-08-14 22:54
Alfred that's a real bear of a piece. I think many teachers feel that the Copland is a piece that should be attempted by upper classmen in college. Of course, if you think you can knock a homerun on it then by all means. There's not better piece to prove yourself on. But, if your waffeling on pieces, probably best to use a safer choice. And there is no shame in that either. Ask your private teacher for advice too.
I remember so many players doing the Mozart for their undergrad when I was auditioning. I myself played it and felt that I should have picked something else to make me stand out. How's your Weber concerto's?
Hope I have been helpful.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-08-15 00:57
Many colleges ask for specific pieces but if not the Copland would be a great piece if you can do a really good job on it. If you bring in the Copland you should at least have the opening through the end of the cadenza prepared. ESP
http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: mrn
Date: 2009-08-15 03:21
Before I changed my mind and decided to major in something else, the Copland Concerto was going to be my audition piece for music school. (so my teacher, who worked with me on it for this purpose, must have thought it was a good choice, too)
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Author: Alfred
Date: 2009-08-15 22:05
Oh, well, Rob, I could do Weber 1; I've been practicing the 1st and 3rd movements for awhile now. And I'm currently playing the Concertino for auditions at clinics.
Ed, you did admissions, while I'm pretty certain I know the answer, do you look for pieces that make the player stand out the most, or pieces that showcase ability the best?
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Author: William
Date: 2009-08-16 17:10
I think that auditioneers listen for musicality in ones performance, and then consdider techincal difficulty for the "tie breaker". It makes no sense to play something primarily as a techical showpiece if you must sacrifice even the smallest hint of musical content in struggling to perform it's "knucklebusting" passages. I would think that any admissions committe would think like Duke Ellington mused, "If it doesn't sound good, it isn't good", and dismiss your performance as "average" at best. My suggestion would be to use your Weber Concertino audition piece. You are used to doing it and, presumably, can play it with relative ease and there is plenty of opportunity for musical expression, especially in the opening sections. And you can probably play the entire work--possibly cutting only the long low tone section--showing off much of your techincal ability as well.
But, if you must do the Copland Concerto, I would think you would want to play the opening and first cadenza sections and forget the rest. Bottom line: whatever you decide to use for your audition, play to demonstrate your musical ability first, then your techique.
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Author: quintet_op115
Date: 2009-08-16 23:12
Rob Vitale wrote:
I think many teachers feel that the Copland is a piece that should be attempted by upper classmen in college.
In my opinion, it does not matter what age you are, just your ability judges whether or not you are ready for the Copland. You can be in high school and still be more advanced than some people who are in their fourth year at The Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. I believe the Copland is fine for an audition, but just beware that technique is least important. Anybody can practice for hours on methods and studies to improve their physical ability, but it takes a real musician to express it in an unique and beautiful manner.
The Copland is definately not the most difficult piece around, but it takes time and work.
What colleges are you auditioning for?
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Author: Alfred
Date: 2009-08-17 04:02
Well, I'm going to try out for a few schools here in NC, but also, I'm considering auditioning at Oberlin, Eastman, and Manhattan.
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