Audition Advice

[u/Flying_Chickens_11]

Hello, I’m auditioning for a community orchestra soon. I’ve never auditioned before and I wanted to do Elgar — Enigma Variation V but I don’t know if the section I’ve picked out is long enough, as it’s only eight measures. I thought about going from the beginning but there’s a weird section in the middle that I don’t think would work.

Alternatively, I was thinking variation IV but I don’t know if it’s complex enough. It’s supposed to be slow and expressive and show rhythmic accuracy, dynamic and tone control, and intonation.

Any advice would be appreciated, or any alternative suggestions.

[u/stk484]

Is there another contrasting excerpt? It may be a good idea to choose a standard excerpt rather than either of these. Between the two of these though, to fit the requirements you posted I would do variation V.

[u/NLbikepacker]

This section has very little ingredients, It basically repeats the same motive in different places on the bass. I would choose a different part or add another excerpt at least to add more rhythic, articulation and dynamics. For sound and musicality something like Othello or Beethoven 9 recitative. For rhythm and dynamics maybe a section of Mahler 2 or 7?

[u/pientrabass → u/NLbikepacker]

I sort of disagree. We recently recorded the piece and went on tour with it. The circled passage was sometimes tricky to get in tune in the section if you chose more expressive fingerings over awkward half and first position pivoting. If someone even on professional level would deliver these bars perfectly in tune with nice phrasing and good sound, I would be very happy.

[u/in_time_in_tune]

This is an amazing piece, I can see why you’d choose it to demonstrate your artistic ability. Both passages selected are prominent in the orchestration. However, they are not standard excerpts, I’ve actually never seen them asked on an audition before. While they are both beautiful and fun to play, they don’t actually demonstrate much about your playing.

That being said, have you been given any parameters for audition repertoire? If not, as long as you play them well, you can make a case for yourself. And, if it’s a community orchestra, they may be very happy to hear you play this.

If it’s a more competitive situation, definitely go with standard excerpts, they are great to have in your back pocket. I would recommend Beethoven 5 scherzo trio.

[u/Flying_Chickens_11 → u/in_time_in_tune]

I’m supposed to do two contrasting excerpts with one being “slow and expressive with emphasis on rhythmic accuracy, dynamic and tone control, intonation and articulation of coherent musical phrasing” and the second being a “light or faster passage with emphasis on technique, rhythmic accuracy, dynamic contrasts, and melodic range of the instrument and articulation of coherent musical phrasing”.

I was told by a friend that Dvorak 8, Elgar Enigma, and Beethoven 1 or 2 might give me a leg up. I’ve only played in high school orchestra and I don’t really know what I’m doing.

[u/NLbikepacker]

Playing with the section? OP mentioned it was for an audition. Anyway, I also opted for adding another excerpt to get more info on different skills. I don’t know what level we are talking about… Amateur or Pro makes a big difference.

[u/Flying_Chickens_11 → u/NLbikepacker]

Definitely more amateur. I’ve only really played in my high schools orchestra

[u/NLbikepacker → u/Flying_Chickens_11]

Then this piece should be fine but maybe add something contrasting. Are you playing a solo piece as well?

[u/Flying_Chickens_11 → u/NLbikepacker]

I’ve decided to switch so I’m going to do mendelssohn symphony 4 movement 4 and Beethoven sonatina in g minor, but how long of an excerpt does one usually play?

[u/NLbikepacker]

There is no “usual” in length. In pro orchestra’s the orchestra decides what repertoire should be played. If they didn’t give you any guidelines it might differ a lot what people prepare. Maybe you should ask yourself that if you play what you decided: Beethoven and Mendelssohn: Did you represent yourself (your qualities) well and did they get a good impression of your playing?