The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bb R13 greenline
Date: 2011-06-24 10:31
I'm really interested in joining this orchestra or any serious nearby orchestra for that matter, would this be good to join?.I'm taking my music more and more seriously everyday now and I feel as if public high school band(even a very good one like mine) is not challenging enough. It grows tiresome having to explain a fingering or to ask someone to raise their pitch and they pull there barrel outward. I want to get experience playing in an orchestra but any enviroment that has dedicated people who have a good mastery of their instrument would be good. I enjoy band too but hate it very much when we have to take time to correct stuff people should already know.If anyone could share past experiences with this orchestra, or give tips into getting in, or recommend an orchestra/band in the broward/fortlauderdale area it would be much appreciated:)
Oh btw I am a highschool sophomore and have been taking private lessons for 3 years and been playing for 5, I know all major, natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales, and have made allstate. (so you can get an idea of the kind of orchestra/band I would want to join)
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2011-06-24 13:33
since you are getting more serious about your music perhaps you may be interested in getting into music education?
If so, instead of being annoyed, use the opportunity to mentor and teach your peers who are less skilled than you.
As far as orchestra - I have limited experience but I would reccommend an A clarinet if you dont already have one. Unless you want the challenge of transposing for Bb.
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Author: William
Date: 2011-06-24 15:02
When I was your age, my parents drove me 40 miles, once every week, to take clarinet lessons and play in a very good adult concert band. Perhaps your's could do the same and drive you down to Miami to participate in this organization: http://gmys.org/orchestras/the-orchestras/ I've never had much success finding good bands to play with in the Fort Lauderdale area, so I travel to Miami to sit in with the Greater Miami Symphonic Band during yearly trips to Pompono Beach. Janlynn makes a great point--focus your talent and energies on mentoring (helping) your fellow bandspeople become better players. Don't be a complainer but rather a resourse. Music education may be in your future--if you are truely *good* enough. Whatever you do, try to keep music fun for yourself and avoid trying to make performance a career choice. That is a very competative profession with lots of truely gifted players--all, seemingly, better than the next--who are unable to find work due to the declining incidences of live professional bands or orchestras and the few jobs that do exist in established orchestras. In that world, there is always someone who is just as good as your are or better and auditions are won not so much on talent--everyone knows all the correct notes (fast enough) and proper phrasings--but on the whims of the auditioning committe. There is far much more personal pleasure to gain from teaching a young musician to play their instrument and discover (or at least, appreciate) the beauty of music. Check out that Miami organization and don't give up on your local school band. Again, you seem very similar to me when *I was your age*. LOL and good luck.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-06-24 16:20
My daughter played her high school years in the Metropolitan Youth Sympphony in the Detroit area. It gave her great experience. In most of these groups, you play the original music as the composer wrote it, not some watered down arrangements designed to make it easy for HS kids to play.
You will almost have to have at least an A clarinet, and be able to transpose parts written for C clarinet on sight. Consider that as you get ready to audition.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: msa
Date: 2011-06-24 20:44
I was in FYO for two years during high school. It is not worth the money. The repertoire isn't beneficial to the orchestra and the wind section size is completely unnecessary. When you have six of each instrument (when definitely not needed) all the time, you kind of lose the orchestral experience. A lot of the works performed are band transcriptions or works composed by the conductor/associate conductor. I would highly recommend looking to Miami or Palm Beach for another alternative.
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Author: Bb R13 greenline
Date: 2011-06-26 07:06
William: if I were to try out for the orchestra you posted inthink I would only be able to get into the concert band/full orchestra not the symphony orchestra. Would this still be worth playing in if it were not their top group? My parents would have no problem driving me their although I know theyd still complain about it;)
I'm also looking at the Youth orchestra of palm beach county which looks good but again knowing how competitive music is id probably make their second orchestra
About teaching, I find very hard to teach people unless their absolutely serious about their music in which case I have no problem. Unfortunately no clarinet players in my school are serious so you'll ocasionally see me attending flute sectionals or playing duets in a practice room because they all are serious about what they do. Maybe it's just a flute thing?
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Author: oboesax
Date: 2011-06-26 20:25
You should definitely try to get into an orchestra where you can play with musicians who are serious and where you'll be challenged.
My daughter is 15 and I understand the frustrations of playing in high school band where most don't take it seriously. I agree (being a flute player myself) that in many bands, there are some serious flute players. This is probaby because it is the most competitive wind instrument. My daughter has been playing in outside orchestras for several years now, and it's an important part of her development. Also, you should apply for a summer music camp where there are players better than you.
To relieve her boredom in band, my daughter started playing the other woodwinds. You'd have to have a willling band director for this, but it's worked out well for her and she enjoys playing multiple instruments.
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Author: William
Date: 2011-06-26 22:23
Even if you only "make" the secondary group, I would think it would afford you more of a challenge than your school music program. As for Palm Beach, I have played with their community band and, while it is good, it does not compare to the Greater Miami Symphonic Band (which I have played with on three occassions). Based upon that, I would assume that the larger the metropolitan area, the better the youth orchestra groups--and I would urge you to pick Miami. More important, where ever you play, be the best you can be and lead by example.
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