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Thread: My College Auditions

  1. #1

    My College Auditions

    Hey all,

    I thought I would talk about my college auditions since this forum has been my main learning tool and an incredibly appreciated asset to my development as a musician. As I loom on to college I feel I really need to thank this forum in more ways that I can possible write.

    Here's my progress:

    Auditioned for:

    HARTT School of Music, Euphonium instructor - James Jackson III
    Gordon College, Euphonium instructor - Dr. David Rox

    Awaiting Audition

    Western Connecticut State University, Euphonium instructor - Andrew Rogers
    Boston Conservatory, Euphonium instructor - Dr. James O'Dell

    My audition piece is Fred Clinard's Unaccompanied Sonata for Euphonium and it has been a huge success. If a school asks for a lyrical piece I usually just play out of Rochut.

  2. #2
    Guest

    My College Auditions

    Good luck on those auditions!

    I went to Boston Conservatory as a euphonium major, so here's a bit of unsolicited input:

    James O'Dell is a great guy, and I learned a lot from him. When I was there he was mostly doing administrative stuff, though, so I ended up changing instructors to Larry Isaacson and John Faieta. It looks like Jim may be more back on the music instruction side of things these days, though. (I just checked out the website and it looks like the Boston Conservatory snagged the new BSO principle trombonist for their faculty - that bodes very well for the future of their low brass program).

    Be aware, though, that if you accept there, they may try to move you over to a major in trombone or tuba. That was their policy when I was there about 7-8 years ago, and unfortunately I never really excelled on the trombone side of things so I ended up having a few regrets from that time period.

    However, Boston's a great place to be for music, especially if you can get acquainted with folks over at NEC, Berkeley, and BU. Seriously if I were to have pursued a career in music, I made many more valuable contacts at those schools than I ever did at Boston Conservatory. It takes a good bit of proactive networking, however (sitting in on classes with instructors from those other institutions is a great way to started - just keep emailing the instructors until you get a couple of people who don't mind that you aren't registered at their school).

    Also, if you are hoping to study with Andrew Rodgers at WCSU, make sure he will be there next year. His faculty bio says that he has a special appointment for 08-09, and it doesn't indicate whether he will stay on after that.

    Best of luck, and keep us updated about how it goes!

  3. My College Auditions

    Good luck on your auditions! I played with Dr. O'Dell when he was an undergrad (and just plain Jim, at that.) He was a good guy then, and sounds like nothing's changed in that regard.

    Ally

  4. My College Auditions

    I agree that Boston is the best location for musicians. I've been to Hartt, and the school is great, but the location leaves alot to be desired.

    Gordon College has a great campus, and a credible music program, but doesn't compare favorably to Boston College. I'm not familiar with Western Conn.

    Of course, I'm sure all of the colleges are worthy, and this is just my own personal opinion...my son received his BS Mus at BU, and is finishing his Masters at NEC!

    The best of luck, and ENJOY every moment no matter where you go.


    Mike
    adult euphonium student

  5. #5

    My College Auditions

    We are about to leave (5:30AM) to my son's first college audition at the Crane School of Music which is Saturday 12/13. We have visited the school several times and he really likes it. His audition piece is David's Concertino. He's also prepared the Horovitz Concerto and the White Lyric Suite, Rochut and Koppraisch Etudes.

    He plans to double major in Music Ed and Euph Performance.

    He will also audition for Ithaca College, Eastman and SUNY Fredonia.

    Wish us luck, the travel up weather is not cooperating though coming back should be better.

    Euphdad

  6. My College Auditions

    Hey John,
    I hope that you do well on all of your college auditions. If you get into Hartt I hope that you decide to go there. There are very few conservatory style schools in the country that have a brass specialist for every brass instrument, including Euphonium. It is even more rare to find a school like Hartt with a euphonium teacher who doesn't also have to teach either trombone or tuba. James Jackson is really a fantastic performer and teacher, his resume speaks for itself. He's been teaching at Hartt for a few years now, and with everything that he and the administration are doing to promote the euphonium program it will very quickly become one of the top places to study euphonium in the northeast, if not the country. Anyway, it looks like you applied to some good schools so I'm sure that you will end having a good college experience regardless of which school you choose.
    Gregory E. Lopes
    Euphonium player
    US Navy Band Great Lakes
    US Navy Music Program, 2009-Present

    Besson Prestige 2052

  7. #7
    Guest

    My College Auditions

    I agree with GregEuphonium on that one. While Boston is a fantastic place for studying music, a dedicated euphonium instructor and a studio of dedicated euphonium students is a special thing indeed. Particularly in the Northeast.


  8. #8

    My College Auditions

    Originally posted by: GregEuphonium

    Hey John,

    I hope that you do well on all of your college auditions. If you get into Hartt I hope that you decide to go there. There are very few conservatory style schools in the country that have a brass specialist for every brass instrument, including Euphonium. It is even more rare to find a school like Hartt with a euphonium teacher who doesn't also have to teach either trombone or tuba. James Jackson is really a fantastic performer and teacher, his resume speaks for itself. He's been teaching at Hartt for a few years now, and with everything that he and the administration are doing to promote the euphonium program it will very quickly become one of the top places to study euphonium in the northeast, if not the country. Anyway, it looks like you applied to some good schools so I'm sure that you will end having a good college experience regardless of which school you choose.
    Indeed

    In weighing out the pros and cons of each school HARTT definently has the superior professor but lacks in the learning environment and performance opportunity realms.

    BOCON has an excellent teacher (not Jackson level, though) but the environment is incredibly musical...and Adam Frey goes there every year lol.


  9. My College Auditions

    John,

    If you decide on the Boston area, you will have to join us at the Cosmopolitan Tuba and Euphonium Workshop, (July 19 - 26). Formerly known as the Northeast Tuba nad Euphonium Workshop (NETEW), this event is organized by Mike Milnarik, my teacher, and is a terrific week of individual and ensemble rehearsal, performance, and other events. Held at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, the workshop features Mike on Tuba and Roland Froescher on Euphonium as the lead instructors. Adam Frey and Jamie Lipton were both guest artists this last year. Matt Brown and Dan Hunter were guest artists on Tuba.

    Every afternoon includes a recital by one of the guest artists and each evening includes a professional ensemble performance. Each student plays in a tuba quartet, in the massed tuba/euphonium ensemble, and performs a solo of his/her choice with accompanist.

    Last year, we had several students come up from the Hartt School to attend.

    Doug
    Adams E3 0.60 Sterling bell - Prototype top sprung valves
    Concord Band
    Winchendon Winds
    Townsend Military Band

  10. #10

    My College Auditions

    Originally posted by: daruby

    John,



    If you decide on the Boston area, you will have to join us at the Cosmopolitan Tuba and Euphonium Workshop, (July 19 - 26). Formerly known as the Northeast Tuba nad Euphonium Workshop (NETEW), this event is organized by Mike Milnarik, my teacher, and is a terrific week of individual and ensemble rehearsal, performance, and other events. Held at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, the workshop features Mike on Tuba and Roland Froescher on Euphonium as the lead instructors. Adam Frey and Jamie Lipton were both guest artists this last year. Matt Brown and Dan Hunter were guest artists on Tuba.



    Every afternoon includes a recital by one of the guest artists and each evening includes a professional ensemble performance. Each student plays in a tuba quartet, in the massed tuba/euphonium ensemble, and performs a solo of his/her choice with accompanist.



    Last year, we had several students come up from the Hartt School to attend.



    Doug
    Yes I was supposed to go with the group from HARTT but I never got around to it.

    There definently isn't a lack of playing opportunities in the Boston area lol


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