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Double Bass College Auditions 2006

#21
B. Johnson

so if thats the case, why did you say that $75 a service is just ok??? (you don't have to cover yourself to not seem cocky now by saying there is only a few services per concert that only occur around once a month within this community orch) and you do know thats pretty close to professional pay? i believe indy symphony is around $110 per service, and thats a higher end orchestra in the states...

also how can you disagree with one of ben's logics of not subbing while your in undergrad unless your tuition is high, because that is exactly what you are doing- i know your tuition cause i was at IU. So the whole point of you explaining how much you make to everyone was??

and mcnaire, who cares??

this thread seems to be turning into who's c#%k is bigger or someone knows someone else that has a big......
 
#23
PaulCannon said:
I'm hesitant to live in Bloomington for four years, but I'm sure it'd be worth it. I really, really liked working with Bransby this last summer in Aspen.
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To offer an utterly biased opinion from someone born and raised and schooled as an undergrad here: Bloomington is a great place to live and learn music.

To offer a slightly better-informed opinion from someone who's lived elsewhere and gone to school at the New England Conservatory and worked at Juilliard: the big city scene is also pretty sweet, but I think as an undergrad the small town/big music school thing has a lot to offer. Some people are champing at the bit to get out of hicksville when they're 18, which I can totally dig, but four years of easy livin' and low-stress are pretty conducive to learning. Leastways, they were for me.

PS I realize I didn't address the "c#%k size" question, so sorry. Ruler on top, or bottom?
 
#24
Someone said they had there audition at Eastman today. I wish I would have seen this sooner, it'd be nice to say hello. I hope you enjoy your experience, its a fun place. PM or e-mail me if you want any more info about the school. I'm really enjoying my study.

Sorry if this was slightly off topic, but I'm not sure what the topic is anymore.
 
#25
Hey, yes I did have my Eastman audition today. It went over very well, though I could have played my Bottesini better. VanDemark said I was "decidingly acceptable for Eastman" and praised my playing, saying that it was clear I took my playing seriously.

Next up, NEC on February 19th.
 
#26
I've never posted anything on a forum before but I figured I could offer some advice based off of my experiences.

I'm in my junior year at Rice, and I must say that gigging is something that you should do, but something with which you should book yourself solid...as an undergrad. The hours and type of work you do as a grad student is completely different. You need time to practice and get your stuff straight, but days are VERY long, and there's time to gig and to have lots of fun college experiences. Regarding the conservatory vs. university or the city vs. boonies bloom-town (that means "not a city," nothing else): I have gone through many different mindsets about whether I was a happy as I could be. For example, before I arrived here for my first year, I was excited to be going to a university and that I was going to study great music in addition to getting a well-rounded education (Rice is a VERY academically iniclined school, and even we music majors are required to take a bunch of classes with SMART kids, so it can be hard to keep good grades). However, there were many times when I thought that these non music classes were distracting my musical development, and i wished that i could be at a conservatory. For a few months I'd feel one way, then I'd feel the other. Eventually, I reached the point that I am at now, and I couldn't be happier. It's called my "F**k it phase." Let me explain. It does NOT involve me dropping all of my classes and just shedding. I DO study for classses and make good grades, I DO practice a lot, and efficiently. I AM under some stress at times with my university loads, but I do NOT let it bother me. By living with this open minded-ness, I now enjoy all of these classes (philosophy, art history, linguistics, and others) that I'm required to take, and I find my university experience very enriching, and my music is better than ever.
The main point of all of this is that is doens't matter whether you go to the city or the country. The most important thing is the music and your teacher. Make sure you study with someone that you like and respect. Be sure that you love what you're doing. And have an open mind about things that you are required to do. Luckily, almost all of the bass players in the world are cool cats, so making friends won't be an issue. So practice, play scales, play gigs, study (if you need to), and always be positive.
Peace,
Charlie
PS. if anyone is gonne be at this school soon, ask around for me and I'll be happy to show you around.
 
#27
Charlie Nilles said:
PS. if anyone is gonne be at this school soon, ask around for me and I'll be happy to show you around.
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Hey Charlie. I sent a DVD to Rice back in December, but I haven't heard back from them yet. If I end up going, I'll let you know.

Do you know Scott Dixon? He's the one that talked me into applying to Rice.
 
#30
i think your missing my point. I also agree that gigging is good in undergrad, i think it's usually better for the players who do not need as much time in the practice room (ben j) - which is a pretty rare exception...... cause trust me, once your out of the university, the atmosphere of fellow bassists helping you/ competing with, its tougher, because you have to figure out how to achieve these similar practicing methods but without 40 other players around you

(not sure what your point was about jeff cause he's definately not in undergrad, and that's what we are discussing right now)

by the way, do you know who is playing on the NBC bass right now? i need to get in contact with the player
 
#32
ya don't worry (arguing- it's a boredom thing for me)

ya i gave back the nbc bass right before school started (august 2005). It is an old german, with extention...the bass-bar is weak, so the belly is getting lower.... it was a monster of a loud bass. (it was actually donated to IU from grodner and he played it way back in the day in the NBC orchestra...hence the name..

the reason why i was asking cause im coming back to IU (in a few days) to compare an instrument (with hurst) that i might buy from cincinnati with the nbc.... no big deal though

by the way, who are the master/ doctorate students now? meredith is still there right?
 
#35
PaulCannon said:
So, who else out there is on the college-shopping circuit? I'm applying to five schools this year.

Peabody: Sent a tape in on December 1. Still waiting for results.

Indiana University: Auditioned on January 14 and was accepted, presumably to study with Bruce Bransby.

Boston University: Friday, February 17. I don't know a lot about this school, but I've heard really great things. I'm hoping to get into Ed Barker's studio.

Curtis Institute of Music: Saturday, February 25. Yeah, I know...

Rice University: Yet to be scheduled. I sent a DVD a long time ago, and I'm supposed to hear back some time soon as to whether I get to go to the live audition.
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Congrats on Indiana, hopefully you'll get more great results. Out of curiosity what pieces did you audition with? :)
 
#37
I took the Boston University audition this last Friday. I think I did really well.

After my audition I met up with a couple students there. According to them, there could be as many as seven openings this year (out of a total of 10 bass students) at BU. This is good news for me and anyone else who auditioned there.

I've also been invited to audition at Rice. That'll be on March 4th. Curtis is this Saturday.
 
#39
good luck shmelbee! I've heard from others that you better have your scales and etudes ready to go or Levinson will be PISSED. I know a guy that Levinson kicked out of the audition because he didn't have those prepared. just something to keep in mind...
 

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