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For any of you who are tuba prof. at colleges, or college students...or anyone really. Is air and bouree too easy for a college audition? I am only a sophomore in high school, so I have time to work on things. Most of the college requirements I have read is a slow movement, and a fast movement.......air and bouree comes to mind! What are peoples thoughts/suggestions?

That's what I played when I auditioned, and they threw all sorts of money at me. It is a really good piece... look it up in previous posts. It has a very lyrical slow section to show off sound and phrasing and a lively fast section to demonstrate technique. It also works well without an accompanist (if you don't bring one and they don't prodive one).

So, you think this is easy? Well, then you shouldn't have any problem playing it absolutely perfectly I'm pretty sure they'd rather hear that than a half-assed attempt at the Vaughn Williams (and never bring in the Hindemith, the accompanist will kill you, and it doesn't make much sense without the accompanist).

In my opinon... best piece you could pick! It's not like you are applying to a performance school (ie Julliard), right?

I think I will apply to U Conn, Syracuse University, and Berklee. I want to major in music education or music business. Being a sophomore... I have lots more lookin to do. I started air and bouree at the beginning of the summer because a friend of mine said it was basically a high school standard and I should snag a copy to play it. The major thing I have to do is improve tone quality in my higher range. I wasn't sure where the piece ranked in difficulty really, don't have a whole lot to compare it to.....just my friend played it for an audition the summer before his freshmen year for a music camp. To be honest, I haven't played too many tuba solos. Thanks for the advice!

I just found out...Air and Bourree was suggested as an audition piece for syracuse. I should research before I ask!

Harvey Phillips used it to audition for Julliard.
But that was a few years ago.

I would suggest choosing something you play well. The level will not matter. Just make music and play well and your talent will shine!

I also used Suite for Tuba by Vaclav Nelybel (not sure of the spelling of any of that) but it doesn't work very well at all without a piano accompanist. It also has a lower register than most... only goes up to 4th space G. It is quite technical, almost like a study, especially lots of different articulation excersizes. The Air and Bouree goes up to high B flat while the Haddad goes up to high C. I don't know what your range is, but that might be a consideration. Most jury panels aren't looking for a huge range... just a beautiful sound over the entire register.

For other suggested solo pieces based on level go to:
http://www.music.unt.edu/instrumental/t ... ources.htm
and click on "Tuba Solo Syllabus"

I also suggest: Handel-Beethoven - Variations on a Theme from Judas Maccabeaus

Thanks for the input everyone!

quinterbourne wrote:I also used Suite for Tuba by Vaclav Nelybel (not sure of the spelling of any of that) but it doesn't work very well at all without a piano accompanist.

You might find this on a store shelf somewhere, but it currently out of print. With some luck it might come back, but I have not heard back from EMI (the current copyright owner).

.

mTaUrBkA wrote:For any of you who are tuba prof. at colleges, or college students...or anyone really. Is air and bouree too easy for a college audition? I am only a sophomore in high school, so I have time to work on things. Most of the college requirements I have read is a slow movement, and a fast movement.......air and bouree comes to mind! What are peoples thoughts/suggestions?

No, it's not too easy. There is very little that is too easy for a college audition. The question is: What standard of performance are you going to set for yourself? A zillion high schoolers (myself included, now 32 years ago when I was your age) have played the notes. But how many made it sound like Bach first and a tuba solo second? How many made even a tenth of the music any run-of-the-mill violin player would make?

Disclaimer: I do not judge college auditions. But I know college students who have done well in auditions, and I know what they can (and can't) do. Technical wizardry is what they think will impress, but real musicality is what really will impress. And making Air and Bourree really musical is a big-boy challenge.

Rick "who has never made it musical and still can't" Denney

I appreciate the advice very much everyone! Purchasing music is generally a challenge for me do to the fact no music stores even carry the standard of excellence or rubank tuba books! I get thigns online from time to time....but I really would liek to look at it before I buy it. Does anyone know of any music stores in boston that would have sheet music? Whenever I am looking for instrument stuff or repairs I go to either Rayburns in Boston, or Osmun Brass in Arlington, MA, but they don't really have sheet music. For anyone near MA.....I HIGHLY suggest Osmun brass. They are very helpful, and do a great job of explaining processes that other stores would just hand me a horn and toss me out the door.

You cold take a trip down to Easton MA and visit Robert King.

BVD Press wrote:

quinterbourne wrote:I also used Suite for Tuba by Vaclav Nelybel (not sure of the spelling of any of that) but it doesn't work very well at all without a piano accompanist.

You might find this on a store shelf somewhere, but it currently out of print. With some luck it might come back, but I have not heard back from EMI (the current copyright owner).

This is good news! This is a nice piece that should remain in print.

Mark wrote:

BVD Press wrote:

quinterbourne wrote:I also used Suite for Tuba by Vaclav Nelybel (not sure of the spelling of any of that) but it doesn't work very well at all without a piano accompanist.

You might find this on a store shelf somewhere, but it currently out of print. With some luck it might come back, but I have not heard back from EMI (the current copyright owner).

This is good news! This is a nice piece that should remain in print.

If anyone happens to be down in DC for the Army Tuba Conference, please stop by my booth to take a look at some pieces that have been out of a print for a while and also some that have never been in print by Vaclav Nelhybel. So far the list includes:

Ludus - 3 Tubas
A set of Tuba etudes
A solo piece for Tuba and Piano
A set of Tuba Duets
2 short Tuba Quartets

and possibly more, not sure yet.

Not tuba related, but I just put out a set of Trombone Duets. It is available on the Cimarron site.