Auditions

[tubacdk]

Practice the excepts in the worst possible order as well. One audition had a loud and low piece first, then a high and loud piece second then soft in the mid-register third. Many people stepped all over the third piece because they did not expect to have to do that. I recommend that you shuffle the order of your practicing and maintain a random feel to the order of the excerpts. If there is a problem area, work on them in a specific order to over come this problem.

flashcards!!!

[winston]

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[MartyNeilan]

Hence the reason I swallowed my pride and started a music ed degree several years ago. I like teaching and H.S age kids anyway, so it really wasn't too much of a compromise.

[RyanSchultz]

Well considering I haven't reached University, and will only be applying for Youth Orchestras in the very near future ... four hours seems like too much to me. I've heard that during University, you play ALL the time and so expect that then, but should I be building up to this even two years before? I'm actually worried about my social life now (which is surprising since I don't really have one).

Chriss Olka used to go home from high school and practice all night. I played sports. He has the symphony job; I have the ballet job. It is never too early to start your serious preparation.

[WoodSheddin]

Well considering I haven't reached University, and will only be applying for Youth Orchestras in the very near future ... four hours seems like too much to me. I've heard that during University, you play ALL the time and so expect that then, but should I be building up to this even two years before? I'm actually worried about my social life now (which is surprising since I don't really have one).

You will have LOTS more free time once you land a job. Think of it as an investment. Give up 3-5 solid years of your life preparing harder than every other tubist in the country for most jobs and harder than any other tubist on this planet for higher profile jobs, and then you might get payed to play fulltime.

If you really want to be enlightenned as to the payback for all the hard work, ask a professional tubist in a major ensemble how many hours/week (s)he spend at "work". There is PLENTY of free time after getting the gig.

Prepare at only 95% for the same 4-5 years and you will likely end up working 40+ hrs/week at a job which is nowhere near your dream's ideal.

It is worth it.

[SFAtuba]

I agree with this, but even if I am having a good day I will still take a break from the excerpts, so I can play an old solo, or just something that I enjoy. It just lets my mind take a break for a few minutes, and when I get back to the serious stuff I can concentrate better.