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I’m going to start auditioning for college soon, and wondering if the Ewazen Tuba/Bass Trombone concerto is a good pick. I have Vaughn Williams up my sleeve as well, but I can nail the Ewazen a lot better. On the Vaughn Williams I can get through it on most runs but it’s risky, and the Ewazen is really solid.

My 2 cents: Play what you're confident with. Spend additional practice time on scales and sight reading.

IsaacTuba wrote:I’m going to start auditioning for college soon, and wondering if the Ewazen Tuba/Bass Trombone concerto is a good pick. I have Vaughn Williams up my sleeve as well, but I can nail the Ewazen a lot better. On the Vaughn Williams I can get through it on most runs but it’s risky, and the Ewazen is really solid.

When I'm listening to perspective undergraduates audition for admission and scholarship, I want to hear what the student feels they sound the best on. That being said, if you have any questions on what you should be playing for the audition, contact the professor at the university in question. Also, take a lesson with them if you can.

DB

The point of a college audition is to show the professor that you are someone they can turn into a successful/accomplished/proficient tuba player.

How do you do that? Demonstrate a good foundation in (i.e., NOT perfection, if you were perfect, you wouldn't need the professor):

1. Tone
2. Intonation
3. Rhythm/tempo
4. Musicality
5. Technical proficiency

If you perform an easier piece well, you will demonstrate all of the above, and you will NOT demonstrate what you CAN'T do. The professor will know that you have a good foundation, and over the ensuing 4 years, that foundation can be developed into an ability to play more difficult pieces.

If you don't have a technical comfort with the piece you are performing, you WILL NOT demonstrate any of the above. You will ONLY demonstrate what you CAN'T do. The professor will not have as good an idea of your abilities and your starting point were you to enter their studio in the fall.

TLDR: You're entering college. No one expects you can play every piece perfectly. Play what you CAN play and what shows you as a player, in all facets, best.

TLDR, TLDR: Play the Ewazen.

Put your best foot forward, whatever it is you choose to play.
Nothing wrong with the Ewazen, I have studied it on both tuba and bass trombone and probably played one or two movements in a recital class over the years. Given the choice, I do think it sets better on bass trombone. Even tried it on a single valve bass with the valve pulled all the way - that was very challenging.
FWIW, I think the Gregson is about the best out of the more “well known” tuba concertos/sonatas for playing on a CC tuba (probably since it was written for a big EEb). The style of the Vaughan Williams lends itself more to an Eb or F unless you have a small CC.
I was forced to learn the Hindenburg, I mean Hindemith. Fortunately we didn’t have a pianist available who was willing to play it, so I never had to do it on a recital. I like a lot of P.H.’s other works, but that piece is definitely not one I would want to play or even listen to.