New Doug Yeo Interview

[AndyCat]

One of Doug's former students has posted a new interview with him. As usual from Doug, very enlightening, but especially this passage which applies to all orchestral auditions I suppose!

"M.G.: What is the best piece of advice you can give to an aspiring young bass trombonist?
D.Y.: Know who the standard is. When I retire from the Boston Symphony someday and John Doe who has just graduated from Podunk University School of Music wants to audition for my seat, who is his competition? The other people who come to take the audition? No. His competition is me. Douglas Yeo. That's right. And I won't even play a note at the audition.

That's because I have set the standard for the bass trombone chair of the Boston Symphony. When I leave, the BSO will want to hire someone who will hopefully have many of the same capabilities I had but who will also bring new things to the chair. That's how the orchestra will get better over time, by finding people to replace retiring people who can help bring the orchestra to a new level. If the audition committee doesn't hear someone they think can fulfill that role in the bass trombone chair as compared to what they've already had, they won't hire anyone and will hold another audition and will continue holding auditions until they find the right person. Just because you're the best player at an audition doesn't by any stretch of the imagination mean you'll be hired. You have to play against the standard and that's the person whose chair you are auditioning for. If you understand that, you'll know what you should be working on. If you think that's “unfairâ€

[Tom Holtz]

Ding, ding. School is now in session.

[Adam C.]

Life is short. Pray hard. Be nice. Help people. Show up on time. Pick up your trash. Pick up someone else's trash. Be honest. Be the kind of friend who can tell someone things they need to know but don't want to hear. Accept criticism. Don't be defensive. Be a leader. Don't play trombone like you have something to prove. Use your turn signal. Tell your kids you love them every day. Slow down. Look up. Get out of the practice room. Don't jaywalk. Squeeze the toothpaste tube from the bottom. Polish your shoes. Cut your fingernails. Clean your mouthpiece. Bring a pencil to rehearsal. Kick back and relax. Change the world.

How am I supposed to kick back and relax when I'm trying to find a pencil, cleaning my mouthpiece, picking up trash, polishing my shoes, and using my turn signal?!

Way too much effort