Auditions for music schools

[one.kidney]

I am a high school junior, wanting to audition for several top name music schools straight out of high school. Can someone recommend to me some tips for best success. I will tell a little about my experiences with the tuba, pieces i am playing, will play in high school, and strengths and weaknesses i have. First off, i have been playing for 4 years. This year i made the top spot in All-state orchestra, and doing solo and ensemble with the Vaughn williams concerto and the Vaughn Williams for my Governor's school for the arts this year. I am preparing a recital, and i plan on doing the entirety of the Vaughn Williams, (HOPEFULLY) the full gregson concerto, or select movements, the Alec Wilder Effie Suite, the Anthony Plog Tuba Sonata, and possibly six studies in English folk song and/or the Plog 3 miniatures. Next year, i want to give another recital playing the Hindemith sonata, the John Williams tuba concerto, the Penderecki capriccio, the Broughton sonata, and possibly encounters 2 and POSSIBLY select movements from six likes for solo tuba I am playing my recital this year on a CC tuba, and will look into F tubas next year. My main strength is high range, and my weakness is low range/max volume output. My aspiration is to sound like Tim buzzbee in the low register. To alleviate my low register issues, I have been playing the Blazevich and Tyrell etudes down an octave, and as well as working on the Snedecor low etudes. Any advice as to 2 or 3 pieces i could play at music school auditions, and any advice on how to improve tone and volume in the low register and overall in general. Thanks for any input. I'm new to this forum, so i guess I'm trying to put myself out there and seek advice from the best sources i can. Thanks again.

[MikeMason]

I too strive to sound like Tim busbee,an failing utterly

[eupho]

Rather than attempting to play gems of the collegiate/professional repertoire, chose something you know you can play musically and technically. You will study these pieces and others with your college teacher.

[Aidanc97]

Thats a lot of music you want to do for your recital. Im not sure you realize exactly how much...

[one.kidney]

playing them is not really the issue, its finding time to practice, which i will have, but i figured i should get a much repertoire under my belt before i head off into college. Im also a piano player (and maybe that contributes to my lack of available time), but my piano teacher always tries to get his students to get as much repertoire learned as possible before heading off to college. Why not do that with every instrument? And of course, I'm doing my long tones and much mores now than before on my scales and lip slurs. I recognize that fundamentals and tone are the building blocks and most important aspect of every player's musical journey.

[one.kidney]

Thats a lot of music you want to do for your recital. Im not sure you realize exactly how much...

yeah its definitely a ton, but i have until May to learn it all. I got most of the notes down for the vaughn williams and Plog sonata. Six studies in english folk song should not be an issue. Again its a screening piece for the Falcone festival, which i want to try for this year. And that is also where the Effie Suite came into play

[Aglenntuba]

I think regardless of your skill, the issue would be the length. The first recital you listed would put you almost at an hour and a half. That's an excessive length for even a senior or graduate recital in college. It would be a big strain on the chops, and frankly that much tuba and piano in one sitting would be boring. I would play the VW, ONE of the other pieces, and then a few different style pieces. Maybe a brass quintet piece, or some duets if you don't know that many players on your level. An unaccompanied piece could be neat. There are some really cool pieces for tuba and recording also. Sam Pilafian's Relentless Grooves come to mind.
TL,DR: Diversify. Your lips will thank you, and so will your audience.

As per auditions, choose the two or three best pieces that reflect different sides of your playing, and then have everything else ready to play if they ask for more. At the top schools you plan to audition at... they'll probably ask for more.

[one.kidney]

I think regardless of your skill, the issue would be the length. The first recital you listed would put you almost at an hour and a half. That's an excessive length for even a senior or graduate recital in college. It would be a big strain on the chops, and frankly that much tuba and piano in one sitting would be boring. I would play the VW, ONE of the other pieces, and then a few different style pieces. Maybe a brass quintet piece, or some duets if you don't know that many players on your level. An unaccompanied piece could be neat. There are some really cool pieces for tuba and recording also. Sam Pilafian's Relentless Grooves come to mind.
TL,DR: Diversify. Your lips will thank you, and so will your audience.

As per auditions, choose the two or three best pieces that reflect different sides of your playing, and then have everything else ready to play if they ask for more. At the top schools you plan to audition at... they'll probably ask for more.

Taking your advice, which i agree, would be a strain on the chops big time. I guess for now the Vaughn Williams, Plog Sonata, and 1 to 2 movements of another piece. What would recommend? One or two from the 3 miniatures or Effie Suite? Theres no one i could really do a brass quintet with, since no one is even interested in playing stuff like that. Also, i know of a few unaccompanied pieces that i could possibly do. I actually just ordered the Six likes today, but thats besides the point. Do you think the Spillman 4 greek preludes would do fine?

[eupho]

Talk to your current teacher.

[dwaskew]

1/ Stay away from TubeNet.
2/ Do what your teacher tells you to do.
3/ Strive to make the entire frequency range of the tuba sound like one voice, rather than "registers".

best advice that can be given, in the absolute correct order.

[one.kidney]

You should post audio of yourself playing the entire vaughn williams so we can give you some meaningful feedback.

When it's ready of course. I got the notes for the 1st and 2nd down. I need to work on the 3rd, but I spent all day yesterday ironing out details Inte 1st movement.I will say, pretty easy piece, except 3rd movement, but tricky to play with the right style. Also I don't know if anyone has had this issue, but a part I struggle on is in the beginning of the 1st where you have the ascending 16th note pattern starting on tongued pedal F and G flat. It's rough.

[Three Valves]

This year i made the top spot in All-state orchestra...

I hope it wasn't Delaware.

[MartyNeilan]

Practice in the morning before you go to school.
Practice on your lunchtime, if possible.
Practice when you come home from school.
Practice in the evening before you go to bed.

Always practice with a good sound.

Repeat.

[happyroman]

Whatever you choose to play, make sure you can play it well. It will be much better for you to play something less demanding, and nail it, than to hack your way through a more difficult work. Remember that you will likely be at least a little nervous when you audition, and that will be even more of an issue if you don't have your audition piece firmly under control.

Also, and this is the most important element, demonstrate that you are a musician that happens to play the tuba, and not the other way around.