Euphonium Audition

[Scott C]

Audition Update:

We received about 35 tapes and reviewed them Friday morning. There were many stellar submissions! Just tremendous playing going on in the Euph world!!!

Monday we will review our selections and then our Auditions NCO will contact those selected. We do have a limit on the number of invitees, so we want to revisit the applications and make sure we make the best choice. This is a difficult process for us. Every current member in the band had to submit materials in a similar manner and we know what each candidate goes through in the process.

We were planning on having this screening done Friday, but some unforeseen circumstances and an evening concert buggered our plans. I am sorry for the delay, and hope that it's not too much of an inconvenience to sit tight for a few more days.

To all those who submitted materials, thanks for your efforts, I hope to have more information for you shortly!

Scott Cameron

[BopEuph]

Just wondering, were the notifications made? Sorry to push the matter, but knowing whether I made it or not directly impacts travel plans to D.C. for the Navy audition. I take it that if I didn't hear anything today, I wasn't invited?

Nick

[Scott C]

The final selections were made yesterday (Monday) before noon. I'll check on the notification process and post later today where that stands

sc

[Scott C]

All accepted applicants will, or should have been contacted by our auditions NCO today. (Tuesday)

All applicants who were not selected will be notified by mail.

The stats:

36 submissions
8 accepted to live audition

I will not post the accepted names, but will mention that a variety of schools are represented: North Texas, Indiana University, Yale (just to mention a few). The cd's accepted were of the HIGHEST performance and quality. (The top eight really ruined the curve!!!) Basically if there was anything questionable on the submission, it was turned down. I can't stress enough the professional level of content on the accepted submissions.

Good luck in your future endeavors, and thank you for letting us listen to your work!

sc

[Albertibass]

Anyone hear anything yet?

[Scott C]

Unfortunately, we did not choose a candidate at this time. I will post an update within the next week on the pending audition.

The US Army Field Band has only two euphoniums in the band, currently there is a vacancy. It is a chair in the band in which the person seeking to fill the spot must impress as a soloist and a section player.

I thank the candidates for their efforts, and hope the experience was a positive one. If there are any questions or feedback, please feel free to pm me at your convenience.

Scott Cameron

[Todd S. Malicoate]

The cd's accepted were of the HIGHEST performance and quality. (The top eight really ruined the curve!!!) Basically if there was anything questionable on the submission, it was turned down. I can't stress enough the professional level of content on the accepted submissions.

Unfortunately, we did not choose a candidate at this time.

This seems odd to me, that the CD submissions were so outstanding and yet the live auditions produced no winner. Does this speak to modern practices of recording for auditions (digital editing, splicing, sound "clean up", etc.)?

[pgiampi1]

Or, it may just speak to how easy it is to perform in front of a microphone with the opportunity to produce another take than it is to perform in person under the strenuous pressure of audition for a US Military Band. Every note you play in that room is going to register with the panel, and between your mindset and your physical state that day (tense vs. relaxed and/or fatigued vs. fresh), I'm sure that there was just no way the panel could provide the "benefit of the doubt" to any candidates.

[WoodSheddin]

The cd's accepted were of the HIGHEST performance and quality. (The top eight really ruined the curve!!!) Basically if there was anything questionable on the submission, it was turned down. I can't stress enough the professional level of content on the accepted submissions.

Unfortunately, we did not choose a candidate at this time.

This seems odd to me, that the CD submissions were so outstanding and yet the live auditions produced no winner. Does this speak to modern practices of recording for auditions (digital editing, splicing, sound "clean up", etc.)?

Love it or hate it, audition recordings HAVE to be perfect and impressive. If this means editing, splicing, and 100 takes then so be it. That is just the process to get invited.

During the audition there was most likely no standout. Every player must have walked out of the room leaving at least some doubts. The person hired may well work there for 30 years. If you have any real doubts then there should be no concerns with trying again in 3-5 months.

It sucks to work up an audition, be the last 1-3 people left in the last round and have no one hired. But it also sucks to go through the entire process on the band side just to have to start all over again because no one showed up that day with their game face fully on.

[Brandon Jones]

What at awesome post! I wish I could've been able to make the audition. My grandfather passed away very recently, and it hit the family pretty hard, me in particular. He was my inspiration in life. I worked up the packet, and felt ready for the audition, but family had to come first. I'm sad to hear that they didn't hire anyone, but as you stated, they will hire the person that they hear as being "the one". I wish everyone the best of luck on the upcoming audition for the Field Band again (whenever that may be), and hopefully I will be able to make this one. Things were just a bit out of my control, and I would make the same decision again if I had to. Family always comes first. To all of you on here who have sent me messages/emails about that situation, I thank you very much. I'm sorry this turned into this type of post...glad everyone had safe travels to the audition, and again I wish everyone the best of luck on the upcoming audition. God Bless you all.

[pgiampi1]

How will the Field Band approach the next audition? Are they taking another set of tapes, or re-inviting the original participants?

[Scott C]

To all concerned:

The US Army Field Band will be holding an audition for Euphonium Instrumentalist.
Tapes are due NLT April 30th, 2008.
The Audition will be held May 28, 2008 at Ft Meade, MD.

I will be at The US Army Band Tuba Euphonium Conference if anyone has any questions concerning the vacancy, they can talk to me then, or a pm will likely get you a quick response.

Anyone who advanced to the second round from the last audition will be invited back.

More info about the job follows below, and can also be found on the web:

http://www.armyfieldband.com/pages/vaca ... onium.html

I wish anyone interested the best of luck! A great CD and a perfect audition will certainly help! ; )

Scott Cameron
Tubist, The US Army Field Band

The U.S. Army Field Band Concert Band announces the following vacancy:

EUPHONIUM

Resume/Tape deadline: April 30, 2008
Audition date: May 28, 2008
Printable vacancy flyer



THE UNITED STATES ARMY FIELD BAND
is the Department of the Army's official touring concert band. In its over 60-year history, the Field Band has performed public concerts in all 50 states and 25 foreign countries for audiences totaling more than 103 million people.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Professional performance level
Proficiency in various musical styles, both classical and commercial
Strong sight-reading skills
Baccalaureate degree or higher preferred
Ability to meet Army height/weight standards
Must be 17-41 years of age
U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien

SALARY:
$45,741–$51,430 (Army rank of Staff Sergeant)

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Perform in the Concert Band of The United States Army Field Band
Tour approximately 100 days per year in the U.S. and abroad
Work with Educational Outreach Program in schools across the nation
There are opportunities to perform in small chamber music ensembles
Position requires a minimum 3-year enlistment--the candidate will be informed of acceptance prior to enlistment

BENEFITS:
College loan repayment program--up to $65,000
30 days paid vacation annually
Medical and Dental care, plus medical care for immediate family members
Post Exchange and Commissary privileges
Enlistment bonuses of up to $20,000

AUDITION PROCESS:
Submit a recent resume and high-quality recording, CD preferred by the date above. The recording should contain solos or excerpts of various styles that demonstrate the depth and breadth of your playing ability, with an emphasis on classical music. Applicants selected from screening of recordings will be invited for a personal interview and audition. Travel expenses will be paid by the United States Army. Military personnel must be eligible for permanent change of station and must submit a letter from their unit commander recommending the candidate for reassignment, if offered the position.

CONTACT:
Attn: Auditions
The U.S. Army Field Band
4214 Field Band Drive
Fort Meade, MD 20755-5330
Phone: (301) 677-5781 or 6231

FieldBand.Auditions@us.army.mil
The United States Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer

[joebob]

Is Al Torres still in the Field Band? I heard him play a few years ago and thought he was outstanding. I just looked at the roster and his name wasn't listed.

[mclowbone]

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