US Navy Band Euphonium Audition

[9811matt]

November 24, 2008

http://www.navyband.navy.mil/auditions.shtml" target="_blank


Any takers? Discuss...

[Todd S. Malicoate]

I have a bold prediction...someone from UNT will win this job.

[Casey Tucker]

although it is a bold prediction, after seeing the success of Ms. Veroni and Dr. Bowman's studio it is entirely possible that a UNT euph could take this audition. good luck to those going out for this!

-CT

[Alex C]

I am an admirer of the record that Brian Bowman has produced with his UNT studio and also admire Brian's attitude about it. I have heard (on the sly) that the weekly euphonium sectionals have more pressure than any service band audition... however, that doesn't mean that it's a lock for a UNT student. Come on euphonium players, cowboy up!

[Chris]

I'll say it....a freaking great post by Mr. NetherEuph.

[graybach]

Don't know if he'll win or not, but watch out for Curtis Prichard. He's a senior at Tennessee Tech, and he's a bad-*** on the euphonium.

[southerntuba]

Good luck to all those going back to Detroit and the Navy Band auditions. Having a second audition won't deter the truly best players, who will work on the things they need to and come back better prepared.

-ST

[BrownHammer]

Oh Rob, I don't know what the joke about Somali pirates is, but you sure look funny there. Thanks for the funny post.

[BrownHammer]

So any news from today's audition? Any details? Who won?

[CC]

I've heard that no winner was chosen.

[euphoniumist]

Yes it is true, especially because if someone won it would be plastered all over here, with a list of the finalists and excerpts played, and what school him or her went to and all kinds of congratulations!

[tubashaman2]

.

[dwerden]

When auditions came up empty in the past, there were lots of questions about why. Previous discussions here have surely put to rest the suspicion that the audition committee might turn away everyone on a lark. But there are still some puzzled folks out there. I think it would be instructive for someone from the audition panel of the U.S. Navy Band to do a post with a summary/overview of the audition. Topics might include:

1) What was the band looking for that was not found in this group? (Musicality, technique, intonation, blend-able sound, etc.)

2) What area(s) did the group meet in general?

3) Were the weaknesses more in the area of prepared materials / general abilities or in the area of sight reading?

4) What was the scope of the position auditioned for? In other words, was the standard to find a soloist, section leader, or section player?

I'm sure there were good players present (I know that personally). But I'm also sure the committee did not hear something it needed to hear. The service bands always suffer a little when a position goes unfilled; if players knew what the standards are (besides the general "high standards" assumption) they might prepare more accurately for next time.

[james]

>>>>

[WoodSheddin]

I believe there are some enlisted folks over at the Navy Band who don't want to share any information whatsoever about Navy Band auditions publicly. On the few occasions when even the most benign comment has been made by a member of the band that person has been severely scolded. This has happened to more that one individual. And I am talking about VERY benign comments.

Why they feel the need to do this to their members I don't fully understand.

[tubashaman2]

.

[dwerden]

I suppose the tight lips makes sense in this day of litigation for any little thing. There were constraints when I was still in the Coast Guard, but they appear to have tightened up a bit.

Perhaps I'll start working on some observations based on what I assume happened. Since I have not been involved in an official military audition for 13 years it shouldn't be revealing anything private. I'll see if I can put together thoughts based on what I believe any service band is looking for and on what I have heard in countless auditions in all sorts of venues. Some of what I can write is stuff we often cover formally or informally at the U of MN, during lessons or studio classes. I'll post when I have something.

[EuphDad]

Three of the last four Navy Band auditions have ended with no candidate being selected.
The last candidate selected was a student of Roger Behrends. It would make sense that the Navy Band selection committee somehow communicate or demonstrate what the Navy Band is looking for in these auditions and/or officially give some feedback so the candidates know what to work on. Given the quality of euphonium talent out there, It doesn't make sense that consistently the Navy Band can not find from the top euphonium players across the nation an acceptable recruit.

Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results? The next audition should have 50 kazoos and one euph player show up. The issue is, everyone would want to be that one euph player, so the Navy Band is still in the driver's seat. Unfortunately, each audition is held at the player's expense for seemingly wasted trips to DC.
Not that the audition experience isn't valuable, but without feedback, or communication of what is expected, it's a huge waste of time and money for everyone, including the selection committee.

[Lauronie]

The last candidate selected was a student of Roger Behrends.

If you are implying what it sounds like, then you are way out of line. The last candidate selected won the job because he practiced his *** off. Also, he was studying with Dr. Brian Bowman when he won the job.

I prefer Mr. Werden's direction for this thread. I always found the audition prep advice from his website to be extremely valuable.

[ASRtalks]

I understand it is frustrating that the Navy Band has not picked anyone for this job. The committee is most likely frustrated too. There were definitely Euphonium players at each audition that were more than qualified for the job. But, it is the Navy Band and they are allowed to audition an opening as many times as they want. The person who will win this job is the performer that perseveres and keeps on trying until the spot is filled. Less than 50 people have shown up to each audition for the Navy band. Compare this to the amount of Tuba players that prepared for the first Detroit audition. The committee in Detroit sent all of them home. I am usually pretty negative about these sort of situations, but auditioning for the Navy band these past couple times, has exposed me to hard euphonium excerpts. I am a much better musician and technician because of the Navy's excerpt lists. Don't get me wrong, it is about the job, being a professional, and winning the audition. There are positive aspects that are created from these experiences.