This Saturday I get to go to my solo and ensemble where I am going to play a piece called "Call" by Bernard Fitzgerald and it is quite fun. I am really excited!This is going to be the first time at solo and ensemble for me and I cant wait, I hope that I do really good. I am looking for advice, should I dress up for solo and ensemble or should I just be comfortable I can't decide. For those of you who don't know what solo and ensemble is, it is where students from high school go and play in front of three judges and get graded 1-10 on different topics like intonation and articulation, 10, is the best and if you get like an 8 or up then you get a 1 which is good. If it is your first year then all you do is go and play a solo and get graded.On your second year you have to memorize i think five scales and then play your solo and on your third year you have to memorize 18 scales sight read and then play your solo. If you get mostly 1's then you get to go to states and play there and if you are really good then you might get a scholarship it just depends on how good you are. The only thing that stinks is that my solo and ensemble is like three and a half ours away and I will have to wake up really early like around 4:00 AM because I play at 8.(If you have any helpful hints or any advice whatsoever then please give it to me!!)
4 comments:
I think that you should dress comfortable for the trip but then wear dress clothes for the performance. So which year is this for you? 1st, 2nd, or 3rd? Your site ROCKS!
-love ya, Donna
You should definately dress nice. You should impress the judges with your appearance. If you are dressed like you don't really care then they will think that of you- at least until you start playing. All professionals dress up for gigs. Be a professional. Also- when they give you corrective criticizim take it with great consideration and respect. Never say "well..." - they don't like it when you give them the impression that you think they don't know what they are talking about. Always smile and be yourself. They will appreciate the manner that you hold yourself. Don't use vibrato. (I don't know if you planned on using it or not but it isn't appropriate for the piece.) It is highly ulikely that they will offer you a scholarship at this point because you are a freshman but they could offer you some money to go to camps or offer to teach you a lesson at their school. There might only be one judge in the room too. They usually use three for full band festivals so don't be suprised if there is only one there. And lastely- give yourself a pep-talk and play with all the confidence in the world. One thing I usually do is write the name of a really good player on top of my music and say that I am going to play this solo like "Tim Zimmerman" or "Rafael Mendez". Clear articulation, quick and confident fingers, and a focused mind. Hit the notes in the center of the pitch and impress them with a round sound. You will kick some judge booty!
love ya lil' bro!
Jess
Well this is my first year. Thank you for your advice.
Chris
I would dress nice, but remember that the music is the most important. Definitely don't dwell on how you look. Dress appropriately, then concentrate on the music.
And 4AM? Let's call the WAHmbulance. Try 3AM baby, it bites big monkey butt.
Post a Comment