How good do I have to be to get into a college music ensemble?!
Question:
How good do I have to be to get into a college music ensemble?
I've never had to audition for anything before, but to play in the Wind Ensemble next year, I have to. It's a college level music ensemble open to all students, including non-music majors (like myself). The thing is I'm not a bad clarinetist, but not excellent. I was first chair through junior high, second chair in a band through my junior year and fourth chair in the class A/B band in 12th grade. I'm from a small school, only 112 students in my graduating class. Auditions aren't until Fall Orientation and there isn't any information about them until then, so how do I prepare? I'm kind of a perfectionist and I'm terrified I wouldn't get in, but I LOVE to play and really don't want to stop. I've heard some other college musicians and I don't even compare. How do I calm myself down? I really don't want to quit playing.
Answers:
THIS IS LONG I'M SORRY!
I graduated High School and I play 5 instruments. My high school was kinda small too, I was in about 5 band classes on different instruments. but I was in the top group on Clarinet, I only made it to 4th chair though. I've been playing clarinet for 9 years.
I eventually decided that I WASN'T going to be a music major after all, it was too difficult. It depends on what college you are going to.
First of all, you need to hear their band. If you can attend a performance of the band you auditioning for that would be best.
I don't want to scare you, but It's REALLY hard to get into a good college band, especially on Clarinet because they'res a million of us! I've auditioned a lot, so here are some basic audition requirements:
An audition is usually just you and the auditioner in a small room.
1) They will test you on scales, sometimes all 12 major and minor, sometimes just the chromatic, a major and a minor.
2)They will ask you to play an audition peice of your choice, that is of a certian level, or they will give you one before hand.
3)They will have you sightread a piece of music you've never seen before.
4)They will also probably test you on your tone, such as have you hold a note for a while.
MOST OF ALL! Calm down! It's worth a try!
I've almost given up all these years of music I did, just to become an actress. I admire you!
Email me at:natveggie77@yahoo.com if you want to talk more.
GOOD LUCK