Touchy subject in community groups where the motivation for being involved is just as much social as musical. In the band I'm in, our section rotates parts during the summer season (5ish outdoor concerts), when we play easier stuff than during indoor season. Anyone who wants to play a specific part will probably have that opportunity at least once. It gives our director a good picture of the depth of the section, forces you to hear things differently, and I think we have a more cohesive section as a result. The fact that you're mixing up the parts should make it easy for your section to work out dibs on solos internally, which I would expect would be the director's response to interested parties if you asked to audition for a specific solo, as he's not going to want to have a part in pitting a section against itself in what is supposed to be an enjoyable social environment as well as a positive musical one. If your director has never auditioned anyone in the band, however, he owes it to himself (and everyone else) to at least hear everyone play something in a low-pressure audition so that he knows what he has to work with. It also helps establish a standard by which prospective members can be granted or denied a spot, and denying a spot to an incapable player is much easier than trying to get rid of them down the road.
John Baumgart ----- Original Message ----- From: "valerie wells" <[email protected]> To: "horn list 2 memphis" <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 1:39:33 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central Subject: [Hornlist] Alternative to auditions in an amatuer setting I joined a newly forming community band a little over four years ago. Under the skilled leadership of the talented director it has developed into a very fine ensemble in less than five years. But, due to seniority, the hornist who was the first to join the band just a few months before I joined, has been awarded all the 1st horn parts, which dissapoints me. I believe I play as well and in some ways better than this individual. This is a fine band and I really want to continue with this group, so I asked the director for an opportunity to audition for first horn. The director being reluctant to offend the other hornist, said he would instead divide the 1st parts within the section. I'm satisfied with this arrangment as I enjoy the opportunity to play all the parts from time to time. I believe this is the fairest and easiest way for a director to keep everyone happy. I do, however, like the idea of what Herb has shared -- auditioning for specific solos -- and may propose we try that in the future. Valerie Wells http://www.beforhorn.blogspot.com/ _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/john.baumgart%40comcast.net _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
