| 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 |