| Hi J-C,
If I've learned anything so far in this profession it's that every situation is unique. Furthermore, it's far better this way -- our own personal attributes can shine through.
I was asked during my interview at CalArts what attracted me to their particular opening. My response was along the lines of "the job description was sufficiently vague to attract my attention" -- risky, perhaps, but it turned out to be the answer that they were looking for. CalArts was searching for someone to build a new brass department from scratch, more or less, and my CV was filled with programs that I had started. We are very happy together, by the way, and this is more important at the end of the day than actually getting the job!
Personally, I feel that your resumé sings far more loudly than anything that you put can on tape. Your background, especially where you have performed/taught (and with whom), gives enough information for a decent search committee to decide if they want to move forward to the next step or not.
Flexibility can also be important. What, other than good trumpet teaching, can you contribute to their program? Can you teach music theory? Ear training? Are you an improviser? Can you conduct? This might not matter as much at a large music school or conservatory but be of vital importance to a smaller music department. I like to cite Terry Everson as an example of the above. Terry is a marvelous player/teacher and also brings sensational skills as a pianist to his trumpet studio at Boston University. Who is more attractive to a search committee, someone who can accompany his students really well or, well, the rest of us? Your European background and recent publishing history with Dave might also attract attention (it should).
Lastly, if it's necessary to make a tape, play pieces that you yourself love to play and that you play the daylights out of. This will make a far deeper impression on most listeners than a common "one from column A and one from column B" type of program. . . at least it would on me.
I'll comment more after others have had their say. Thanks for opening a very interesting topic.
Best,
EC |