I've learned to live and let live about nerves. I've performed some very difficult solo pieces in front of a few audiences of 1500+ people and I don't get as nervous anymore. You get to the point where you've done something so many times you expect to be able to do it again with no problem.
I personally never saw Horn playing as being as difficult as my full time job - maybe thats why I look forward to the gigs and I just don't get antsy or nervous about them. Let's face it, the music's in front of you, and as Ray Charles said you only got 12 notes. As far as ego and auditions go - I think we'd probably be able to quickly separate the wheat from the chaff by simply asking one question to all players in any gig: Would you be willing to re-audition for your position? -William -----Original Message----- From: Hans Pizka <[email protected]> To: The Horn List <[email protected]> Sent: Thu, May 20, 2010 1:58 pm Subject: Re: [Hornlist] Alternative to auditions in an amatuer setting Hello Leigh, nice to see you in a posting here. You really plucked Valerie in to parts. She always knows everything, but if you go back to her earlier postings, she had quite some problems. And those are the most dangerous ambitious players. If they were male, they were like "eunuchs", knowing everything but unable to do it. They have a very big mouth, - not Valerie only, but many others -, but shit the pants full, if the have to start "Oberon" for example. Home in the kitchen or in the bathroom (oops, that are the self thought "world class singers" - forget it), they hear themselves as heroes. I remember a second horn player, professional off course, who took the most difficult horn parts from Richard Strauss operas (not Rosenkavalier, Elektra or Salome, there are some others more difficult, terrible difficult like Arabella, Silent Woman, Daphne, Liebe der Danae, Aegyptische Helena) to his summer vacation domicilium to impress the players of the local ooompah-band. Thank you, Leigh, joining me in my task to call those players back to order, back to a sound self-estimation. They should learn about their limitations. But nevertheless, we need such players in the band also & can use them, if they are supportive. They simply are unable to understand, that that it is much more fun, to be just a part of a successful ensemble, participating on the success by being supportive. Take care, warmest regards from really cool Munich (just 9 degrees Celsius today at noon). Hans ######################################################################## Am 20.05.2010 um 19:14 schrieb Leigh Alexander: > Hornfolks: > > Wow! So much in this post disturbs me: > > On May 18, 2010, at 2:39 PM, valerie wells wrote: > >> 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. > > A lot of things in life are disappointing. Instead of spending all your time curing your "disappointment" maybe you could spend more time learning how to be a team player instead of assuming that the team would be best if you were in the first seat. > > >> I believe I play as well and in some ways better than >> this individual. > > Really? And this nebulous "better-ness" somehow gives you the "right" to > first horn? If you are close in talent then why don't you try being the best second (or third or fourth, heaven forbid) you can be for the person who _is_ first. > >> This is a fine band and I really want to continue >> with this group, > > This sounds like musical blackmail. I'm sure they are so terrified you will leave the group that they will agree to your condescension to "Audition". On the other hand they might be so offended that they really would rather show you the door. Oh, and don't let it hit you on the arse on your way out. > >> 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. > > Maybe what you interpreted as reluctance to "offend" was really surprise at your gall in questioning the current seating and the skill level of the principal or weakness on the part of the conductor in the face of your brazenness. You said yourself that your ability is on a par with the current 1st horn. Frankly if I was your principal and I heard you had done this then you and I would have a little chat. > >> I'm satisfied with this arrangement as I enjoy the >> opportunity to play all the parts from time to time. > > Really? Well, I'm glad that major changes where instituted so that you could be "satisfied". We know how miserable you can be if you aren't. > >> I believe this >> is the fairest and easiest way for a director to keep everyone happy. > > No Valerie, this is the way the conductor keeps _you_ happy (and even then, you aren't completely happy with the solution, are you?). Now you have no real section leader. Unless you have that position too. > >> 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 > > For the most part, our band does not rotate parts within the section; we > leave that to the trumpets. We do however switch parts for the season or for a concert. I've been playing 4th for most of my time with my band but this "semester" I got the chance to play second. Not better, not more prestigious, just different. I like 4th, I like 2nd and I like 3rd. I've never had to play 1st and I don't really care. Even if I were to play marginally better than the person who sits on first, I wouldn't care!!!! > > This sort of jockeying for ego supremacy in a group leads to an underlying current of sullenness and disrespect. I'm tired of it. We're amateurs, people (most of us anyway)! Stop thinking you are second coming of Brain. Make some damn music on your own part and stop trying to take all the goodies in the box for yourself!!!!! > > Flame away! > > Leigh Alexander > Hornlist since '94 > _______________________________________________ > post: [email protected] > unsubscribe or set options at > https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/hpizka%40me.com _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/valkhorn%40aol.com _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
