Today Is A New Day

Audition Performance

Today, I had my trombone audition for my admission into the Moores School of Music. I barley started to practice for my audition a week and a half in advance. One of the pieces I played, I barely got last Sunday. Well, I worked my butt off this past week and a half practicing everyday. In my free time, that’s pretty much all I did — practice. I feel like a better player, but I guess one would expect that from practicing so much. I prepared two solos: The first movement of Marcello’s Sonata In C Major and Guilmant’s Morceau Symphonique. Also, I prepared etude No. 26 from Rochut’s Melodious Etudes for Trombone. Along with the repertoire, I was supposed to know all twelve major and minor scales. I know my major scales, but only a few minor.

When I auditioned I walked into the room. It was a pretty big room, the size of an average band hall. There were about six judges. Most of them teach trombone, so it was very intimidating, very nerve wrecking. They had a microphone set up to record my audition. They told me to play a few notes to get a feel of what the room sounded like and then to play my prepared pieces. The room had a nice reverb, so I new my sound would carry well in there. I started off playing Marcello’s Sonata In C Major. After I played, I was a little less nervous, and I felt more confident in the way I played. Then, I played Guilmant’s Morceau Symphonique. I stumbled on a sixteenth-note run, but I was hitting all the high notes. After I played, they said they didn’t need to hear my third piece; it wasn’t necessary. They all seemed very pleased. By then I was sweating bullets like crazy. I was happy that they didn’t ask me to play any scales. They thanked me for playing, and I thanked them for listening. They mentioned Jersey Village High School, so I guess they still have a pretty good reputation. One of the judges told me to say hello to Mr. Kidwell for him. I’m hoping my relation with Jersey Village and Mr. Kidwell will help.

Overall, I’d say it was a good audition. I really think they liked my playing and my sound. I must admit the room helped. I am really hoping that I can get a scholarship for my playing. We’ll see though. I am supposed to find out if I made it into the school in a couple of weeks. I should be getting a letter in the mail.

Well, I am super happy to have gotten that over with. It’s quite a relief.

Stefan