Need input about audition materials

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This topic has 7 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 7 months ago by Saul Davis Zlatkovski.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

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January 25, 2012 at 7:31 pm #104541

sherry-lenox
Participant

I am in a situation in which I need to audition for a college program. The program requires an instrumental or vocal audition even for students who will have no reason to play the instrument on which they audition.

I would like your suggestions about audition pieces on the simpler end of the audition spectrum. I have a few suggestions from the college handbook, but I’d like your ideas for some more.

Also, I have about five months to work on the audition materials but I’m fairly sure I won’t be able to play the audition pieces at their expected tempos. I don’t want the audition judges to think I’m a Florence Foster Jenkins of the harp. The fact is I’m as serious as death about this, and I don’t want my slow tempos to cause me to lose credibility for what I’m actually hoping to study.

I will contact the college about this but I was hoping for some input here first. Thank you!

January 25, 2012 at 8:21 pm #104542

patricia-jaeger
Member

Sherry, since you are quite serious about taking this audition, and luckily have five months before the event, please make the investment in five months of lessons with a degreed harp teacher who is familiar with the literature they are asking you to play. He or she will have the necessary harp

January 26, 2012 at 4:18 pm #104543

sherry-lenox
Participant

Thank you so much for your response! I study weekly with a wonderful harpist and teacher, and she and I have chosen a couple things which I am working on.

What I need is a sense of pieces that would not be overwhelming to my level of playing but would still display a sense of seriousness of purpose and dedication to the challenge.

I’m just finishing Bochsa’s Fifty Progressive Exercizes, second volume, and plan to use #48 as an etude. Would this seem embarrassingly simple and therefore not appropriate to bring to an audition?

January 26, 2012 at 6:03 pm #104544

jennifer-buehler
Member

Sherry,

Hoave you touched based personally with the music department?

January 26, 2012 at 9:34 pm #104545

Tacye
Participant

From what I know of auditions most would prefer you to play something really beautifully and musically rather than anything where technical struggles are apparent.

January 27, 2012 at 12:51 am #104546

patricia-jaeger
Member

About your question whether No. 48 in Boscha Op. 34 Bk 2

January 28, 2012 at 12:04 am #104547

Elizabeth Volpé Bligh
Participant

A beautiful piece is Berceuse Russe by Tournier. It’s only three pages long, not too difficult, and is a good way to show your musicality.

January 29, 2012 at 9:45 pm #104548

Saul Davis Zlatkovski
Participant

Also, Promenade by Damase and Pastorale by Grandjany.

One etude is good if you do it well and at a good tempo, and musically. They may also want to hear you play a scale.
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