tpter1

pmk- I'd go with Ed on this. If you are the kind of player than can DO Tomasi as a senior in High School and it shows your strengths, man, good for you. Put it out there. Be sure of yourself, at any rate.

I was told by several college professors that what they look for in a candidate is POTENTIAL. The potential to be taught; the fit between student and teacher. Pick pieces that show your strengths as a player and the potential you have.

Be sure to check audition requirements carefully; they vary from school to school.

Work hard and play well!

stukvalve

I will offer this:

If you'd like to audition at Eastman, be prepared to play the entire 1st movement of the Tomasi (if you choose to play it) for Thompson. Almost everyone who played it last year in the auditions had to play the whole 1st movement. (most auditionees did NOT expect this) Also keep in mind, Thompson won the Maurice Andre competition with that piece.

Goodluck man!!!

If you have any questions about Eastman, PM me, or send me an email.

Take it easy -Max

ecarroll

Exactly, Glenn. Thanks for your input.

Once again, I suggest that students only present pieces that they want to play (for whatever reasons) and that they play really well. It's all about presenting themselves at a particulat moment in time as accurately as possible.

For me, the conversation/interview that follows is of equal, if not greater, importance. I only accept students who have to be, not want to be, musicians (and do so with great pleasure).

EC

Alex Yates

A little fun fact (and you can ask him Max), while Jim loves the Tomasi, the Jolivet will make him wrinkle his nose.....so, if you are auditioning for Eastman, play the Jolivet Concertino if you don't want to play for too long. (I am KIDDING) (seriously, he is not fond of the Jolivet)

Johntpt

Mr. Carroll-

So please do tell us about your meeting with Tom Stevens. How has he been? What's he been doing since he retired? He's always one for a good story or 2....

JU

ecarroll

Hi John.........it's Ed, please.

Tom is fine and very interested in what's going on here. . . stopping in from time to time to talk about new music, hear my students, etc. He's still writing and very involved musically, albeit it very quietly.

Best,
EC

mazzrick

I remember a few years back, about 12 different players auditioned at Julliard with the first mouvement of the Tomasi and all played it in its entirety (with the cadenza) nearly or totally note perfectly (so the story goes). None of the supposed 12 were accepted. I don't think the concentration should be on what you play, but how you play it. Don't try too hard to impress the teachers at these schools either, because they're used to hearing top-grade collegiate level players, and it's hard for someone in highschool to top their students. You should want to show them a product that they will want to work with and guide for 4 years. They usually want to see the basics, good sound, steady rhythm, sence of musicality, etc. The Tomasi is a piece that can hide some of those things. Chris Gekker said to me that all he needs is for each auditioner to play a half note major scale, and he'll know everything he needs to know about the player. So if your technique is a major asset of yours, then play the Tomasi to show that off, but make sure that it's balanced with a Haydn (2nd mvmt. especially), Hindemith, or Hummel. I know these pieces are cliche but they are that way for a reason.

ecarroll

Good advice, Mazz

I'm in Montreal tomorrow. Have we met? If not, I'll buy you a beer sometime.

Best,
EC

mikeblutman

Do what trumpeters do. "Strategic" programming for college auditions:

Great post Mazz! Having just gone through my second round of college auditions last winter (this time for masters candidacy), I have some (hopefully) relavent information to share with both high school seniors as well as those currently in college. The primary focus of this post will be to share some of my thoughts on programming for auditions.

I agree with Ed's earlier post that expressing your indicidual voice and playing music that you are passionate about is far more important than showing off the flashiest technique. (Eveyone auditioning for music schools is passionate about certain types of music ... right? ... please G-d I hope!!!) When you play music that really hits you in that special way, you are most likely to put on your best performance. In these college auditions, you usually get to choose your first selection (usually a solo of some kind). So, why not get off to a great start by playing something that you love playing and that you do exceptionally well?

Most schools give you quite a bit of flexibility with regard to programming (notable exceptions I know of being Northwestern, Rice, and MSM's orchestral performance program; I'm sure there are plenty of others). If you get to create your own program, why not plan strategically? You have 10-15 minutes to really put on a good show. DO WHAT TRUMPETERS DO: high, low, loud, soft, lyrical, fanfare, etc. Pick pieces that demonstrate lots of stuff in a short period time. One example might be to play the Kennan Sonata 1st mvt. (beginning-F, then jump to the coda): Only 1'30" long, starts with some thick "orchestral"-type playing ("with strength and vigor" I believe it says), then you get to play a few short quick runs, soft muted fanfares, a lyrical section, upper register fanfare-type figure leading up to F, the coda is more athletic and even ends on a long high C. This is one example of a good 'strategic' excerpt from a solo to play at a college audition.

Plan your excerpts strategically also; why play 3 lyrical ones? Play one fanfare (leonore, etc), one lyrical (pines, posthorn, etc), maybe something a little more athletic if you so choose (ballerina's dance, etc)?

Summary: Start with the home run (what you love to play and can play great). You want to show that you can do what trumpeters do ... and quickly though 'strategic' use of excerpts, etudes or solos. Make sure to balance your program so that you hit all the major areas of trumpet playing over the course of your audition.

Have fun (... as much as you can under the circumstances). I did last year!

Good luck,
Mike Blutman

chrisvenditti

Hey all,

The last post by Mike is a really great example of how to approach auditions. I was going to add something of the sort to this discussion, but there is no need....he hit the nail on the head! I approached my college audition the same way last year. Now I am stuck with Mike as my roomate.....arggg...(muttering to myself as I walk away grumbling...) :)

Cheers,
Chris