 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: EMD_CT
Date: 2015-06-10 23:05
My daughter, an all-American high school clarinet player, needs four pieces for an audition with a National Guard Army Band. One of her mentors who was going to work with her to steer her to some acceptable pieces, is indisposed.
Anyone have any suggestions? She needs a...
- Latin piece
- Rock/Pop piece
- March
- Jazz piece
We'd greatly appreciate the advice. Thanks.
ED
Post Edited (2015-06-11 23:40)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2015-06-11 03:48
Is the National Guard not the same audition standards than for other Army Bands? Cause I'm in the Army, know a fair amount about auditioning, and the standards require three contrasting styles, but have never been so specific as to say "Latin, Pop, etc.".....
Maybe a National Guard person can chime in as to why it's so specific?
Alexi
PS - To start with,
Latin - Tico Tico would be more than enough (you can find that EVERYWHERE online, just pick one and play it)
Rock/Pop - ?! Seriously? On clarinet?!
March - Anything from a book called "Pass In Review" part one. Sousa or King Marches would be fine.
Jazz Piece - Find any jazz standard that you think she can work up to sound jazzy and make it sound entertaining!
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: EMD_CT
Date: 2015-06-11 04:53
The Chief has different outreach bands going, including a new rock band. I gather he's just trying to give more focus.
ED
Post Edited (2015-06-11 23:58)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2015-06-11 05:41
Ok. It's the Chief's band.
Just realize that the audition to actually get the accepted in the national guard band will be done with a liaison who is NOT the chief and has different audition standards requirements (found here... http://www.music.army.mil/careers/auditions/clarinet/)
Best bet is if the chief is the one judging, get some suggestions and ask what he/she wants to hear. By jazz are they looking for a jazz standard out of a real book? A jazz "style" like the shaw concerto? A Dixieland excerpt? A big band chart?
I'd probably err on the side of a jazz standard. Pop/rock, the horn lines tend to be pretty easy and behind the rhythm section. I'd just learn something by ear. Most Pop tunes forms are easy enough to learn and memorize, and most modern pop or rock songs are not very intensive if you're going to play the singers melodies. Plus most rock bands in the bands I've been in learn and perform by ear. Cheaper and quicker than buying the charts, easy enough, and no copyright issues for military rock bands to play covers learned by ear. Plus those darned singers always want to change the key anyway and make you transpose anyway!
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2015-06-11 05:47)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-06-11 12:58
It doesn't seem likely you spoke to someone about the clarinet audition, or that if you did, that person was not familiar with the band. That looks like the list required from percussion or guitar. In the current Army band system, the emphasis is smaller groups (more flexibility) with guitar and percussionists needing to have significant "combo" chops.
To this day we are hiring very highly qualified clarinet, flute, oboe and bassoon players utilizing a more classical emphasis in audition materials (the three contrasting styles). Of course there are fewer bands that have openings for the oboes and bassoons (but that is a worry for another bulletin board).
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: EMD_CT
Date: 2015-06-11 16:06
Mr. Aviles,
Maybe you can answer these multiple choice questions before telling me I don't know what I'm talking about, or that I've never spoken to anyone.
1) Who played two days with the local national guard band during its May open house weekend? A) My daughter B) You
2) Who sat right next to the chief when he mentioned that he'd like to hear pieces from specific genres of music during that weekend? A) Us B) You
Thank you for your feedback.
ED
Post Edited (2015-06-11 23:58)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-06-11 16:13
Well I may have come off as brusk, but I've never heard of those audition requirements for clarinet in 20 years of active duty service nor of your Chief. Which is ok, because I'm sure he's never heard of me either.
As advised earlier, your ONLY true arbiter of the situation is an Army Band Liaison who will administer and score the applicant.
Sorry if it seemed as though I assumed ignorance, that's just my "short hand." Your original post only mentioned actual contact with a "mentor." There is plenty of "stuff" on the inter-web that can easily be misinterpreted by the best of us.
...........Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2015-06-11 16:16)
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Author: EMD_CT
Date: 2015-06-11 16:14
Thanks again. We've been to that page and read up. And we checked out the audition scoring sheet. We understand there are other parts to the audition. We'll deal with those as we need to. For now, we're just trying to follow the process as we've been told and keep moving forward.
ED
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Author: EMD_CT
Date: 2015-06-11 16:19
OK, Paul. I apologize, too, for being a bit quick tempered in response back. We're just working from where we've been told to work from.
There's a lot going on right now, with school ending, exams, getting ready for a 7-week summer band camp. I'm just tying, as well, to keep my daughter on task. If I can help nail down some good pieces, it's one less thing she has to deal with right now.
So here's a question for you...how difficult should these audition pieces be?
Ed
ED
Post Edited (2015-06-11 23:59)
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Author: ClaireAnnette
Date: 2015-06-11 19:33
I am not involved with military other hearing from players in service or knowing those who have auditioned. So I hope that I do not upset with my comments.
I am just thinking, unless this is some kind of extracurricular local band this Chief has going, the experts that have responded are correct. As they say standards are pretty high these days. As it is with errors of poor economy and being time of active conflicts. I have known of some very good players with masters degrees that have not made it.
Audition materials these days tend to be pretty standard. Also, just like for any federal job, to make employment fair, to everyone including your daughter, they apply same to all. If it is normal interview for a job, each candidate is asked same questions.
Remember, even though this is music, it is goal of government agencies to give all qualified candidates an equivalent standard. And this is usually formatted by standards set through contributions of committees, leadership, and human resource requirements. There should be same requirements for entrance for all, regardless of candidate's training, age, or experience level. Now, perhaps once in a position, leader would hold local placement auditions to see which ensembles players are best suited. This is what it sounds to me.
I am wondering if Chief (is he/she a musician chief?) assumed you/she was familiar with the standard entrance auditions and was just telling you what he/she requires locally to place players in a local ensemble? I can see how this could have happened. I agree with previous poster that it seems not to mesh with military auditions I have heard of.
So, it would be good not to guess at requirements and unwittingly steer your daughter the wrong direction, possibly undermining her chances. My suggestion is this: Contact one of the current woodwind band members and ask them what is required because they have been through the process.
Always best to go to a source that KNOWS the subject. If it is a clarinetist, perhaps that individual would be willing to listen to her as in a lesson and provide advice on where the strengths and weaknesses. And you will know they are giving you the straight story.
And, not to be disrespectful, PLEASE do not take this the wrong way, and it is great that you are asking questions here, it appears from the questions that there is not that much experience in auditioning for professional organizations.
I did NOT say you are correct or incorrect, or even a career military person yourself. I am referring to EXPERIENCE, meaning several professional level auditions. So you need to find help from veg
So first step might be to check with current band member. To me, in your relaying the conversation, it sounds very much that those were informal comments. Or perhaps something was misconmunicated,
It is clear that you are seeking the best for your daughter, so this is all the more reason she have correct information. Personally, if it were my young person, I would encourage her to do the contacting. Help her with what to ask, and perhaps conference telephone calls so you can guide her if need be. If I were the hiring authority I would be most impressed with her doing that.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2015-06-11 20:49
I think all this speculation is useless. Just ask the auditioner! The Chief (if the Chief isn't the auditioner) will know who it is. The level of difficulty, if left up to the applicant to select the pieces, will always be the ones that the applicant can play both technically and musically well. While we might make suggestions as to the repertoire, the repertoire questions must be succinctly answered before we go on.
I've never heard of an audition where the required pieces or genres are assumed and only local variations given. Though this could be the first time.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-06-11 21:59
My recommendation is to use what your daughter has "in her hip pocket." Chose a fast (with some good sense of articulation), a slow (lyrical, singing.....the "money piece") and a contemporary such as Stravinsky Three Pieces (possibly combining these factors however it works out). I would not worry about learning new stuff, use what she has already learned for recent competitions and auditions.
Also, don't worry about her 'not making the cut.' As long as she's a competent player, and as long as she meets the minimum requirement, and as long as there are clarinet slots available (and there are always clarinet slots available), she shouldn't have a problem. Yes, the emphasis has been to seek out and actively recruit conservatory and music school students, but as I said, there is a numeric standard for acceptance. You cannot be denied if you meet the standard.
Now, auditions for the "Specialty bands" in D.C. or the Military Academy ARE a completely different animal. There must be a slot at that particular ensemble and you have to travel THERE to take that particular audition. Those are just simply better gigs. So if your daughter is at a very high level, it may be worth investigating that first. But as an open audition, you are then competing directly against every hot shot that shows up.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: EMD_CT
Date: 2015-06-11 23:51
Thanks, all.
I appreciate you all taking the time to discuss this. We needed a couple of piece, and received some good thoughts.
My intent was not to discuss, criticize or debate the needs of one group, just take advantage (wink-smile) of your experiences in terms of musical selections you think would be good or you might have had success with or known that others have had success with.
We do know about the various bands, and the various levels of prestige that come with the bands in Washington. We've scoured websites and asked questions. We've seen copies of the adjudication sheets. We know it will take work.
Getting ready for college and deciding on joining the Guard and Guard band are huge decisions. They are probably weighing on our minds a lot more than our daughter's mind.
I remember the process for college being easy. Pick 8, narrow to 4, apply. Select one. But then again, I was a just a kid without many worries. One thing for sure is that I can't wait til this is done.
I'm just a dad trying to assist and fill a couple of gaps that exist right now and offer some musical advice to a person who has reached a level I never did. So gain, thanks for the help.
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Author: ClaireAnnette
Date: 2015-06-12 03:12
We could ALL tell you want the best for her. Never a doubt. I think it would be a very difficult time for thise in high school and college now. I would not want to be there!
Let us know what you find out and how it goes. Good Luck! And she is very lucky to have an interested and concerned father! (Maybe in a few years she might even appreciate it! 😀)
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