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I have an auditon set up soon for entrance into a MM conducting program to try and finish up my master's degree. They offered me either the English Folk Song Suite, RVW or First Suite in Eb, Holst conducting the first 2 movements. I've studied the Holst quite a bit and did the newer simplified version with my JH/HS band last academic year, but haven't ever conducted the full, real version with a live group before. Nor have I ever conducted the RVW. I have played both pieces more times than I care to remember and would feel comfortable walking into any band with tuba, euphonium, or trombone (Holst on this one) and playing any of these parts probably almost from memory. I feel that I know both pieces well enough that I would do well whichever choice.

Part of the dilema is that the band I'll be stepping in front of just performed the Holst within the last few months so they know the piece and know it well. As part of my audition will be rehearsing the band after a full run through, this intimidates me a little bit as this is a regionally top notch group.

Any thoughts or advice from the TNFJ?

Ok, I made my decision and emailed the DOB at the university and said I'd like to do the Vaughan Williams. I'm a little intimidated and scared, but I have made my decision and will go forward with my prep work so that I can go in ready for this audition next week.

Ah, the TNFJ saves the day once again!

Have at 'em, Chad!

Chadtuba wrote:Ok, I made my decision and emailed the DOB at the university and said I'd like to do the Vaughan Williams. I'm a little intimidated and scared, but I have made my decision and will go forward with my prep work so that I can go in ready for this audition next week.

Good luck to you! I'm sure you'll do great. Just remember to keep your head out of the score (always an issue for me the first rehearsal with a new piece), and you'll be fine. I'm probably going to be going for my Masters in the next year or two, and am considering doing it in conducting also.

I would say conduct the work that you know best. Even with the most polished ensembles, you can always find something to work on. GOOD LUCK!!!

the elephant wrote:Do not weave around. Stand stock still from the waist down. It is a very bad habit to move a lot when nervous, and it is very hard to follow a moving target via peripheral vision when playing. Good luck!

ACK! I just realized that I never got you that flute part at Christmas time. I was so busy and never had time to reset the whole book in flute range! I'M SORRY!!!!

Thanks for the advice everybody. Keep the tips coming as we all have things we've learned over the years to share.

Elephant, no worries, I ended up finding some old books similar to the SA books that worked out really well with my limited instrumentation group.

For those interested, my HS band has 8 students with 1 flute, 1 clarinet, 2 tpts, 2 euph, and 2 percussion so this will be a real treat for me to get up in front of a large fully instrumentated group. As scared as I am, I am also very excited for the opportunity

Wow...8 students??? I thought the 4-8 program I took over this year was small...I had 35 in September!

I guess we'll chalk that up to rural vs. urban population!

TMurphy wrote:Wow...8 students??? I thought the 4-8 program I took over this year was small...I had 35 in September!

I guess we'll chalk that up to rural vs. urban population!

That's just the 9-12 band, 7-8 has 11, 6th grade 2nd year has 5, and 5th grade 1st year has 6. However, my HS choir has 18. Sadly though, my piano skills really stink and I am a poor choir teacher. One of the many reasons why I'm auditioning to an INSTRUMENTAL conducting program. Way too long teaching in rural school districts. I need to be in a band position.

Well, the audition day has arrived (well ok, the night before) and musically I feel very prepared. I just ran through the song (doing the 1st 2 mvmts of the RVW) with a recording and no score, I've been constantly singing, conducting, and listening to the song. I'm going to do a couple more run throughs tonight and then try to get some sleep. It is amazing all the different parts and tonal intricacies that I didn't realize were there sitting in my back row seat. I think I'm going to start buying scores for the bulk of the works that I play with the bands and do some major score study while learning my own part.

My only advice is to wear a black turtleneck for your audition.

Good luck today!!! I'll be rooting for you!

Best of luck!

How'd the audition go? I remember playing in the ensemble which was being conducted by an "auditioner" for his MM. We played "Lincolnshire Posy" and I really let him have it on the "Lord Melbourne" movement. He acknowledged my gusto but gave me "the hand." Oh well, I had fun.

I felt really good about the audition. As scared as I was I felt I portrayed a relaxed conductor that was able to interact in a positive way with the ensemble. I was prepared and knew the music. We'll see what I hear back from both the DOB (said he'd give me feedback one way or the other within a week).

Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you of your 2011 Fall admission to the Graduate School and the MM - Music program with the option of Conducting at North Dakota State University.

The waiting game is over. A door has been opened finally. Now time to start looking for a part time job and a place to live. Back to school I go

Well done...and more learning on the Horizon!

Thanks! I am very much looking forward to my continuing education. Now if I could only get my students to look forward to their continuing education for at least the rest of the semester