FALL 2007 TROMBONE AUDITION NOTES:

When? Monday, August 27 from 2 pm to 5 pm (a sign-up sheet will be posted)

Where? Trombone Studio (MUB 118)

You will have 10 minutes to play through all the excerpts and sight-reading. Be warmed-up. organized and ready to go at your appointed time. You can play through it all easily in 10 minutes if you don’t waste time.

This is a new audition format consisting of fragments from the trombone solo and or-chestral repertoire. Some of the excerpts are small and hard to read. Use your own cop-ies if you have them or enlarge them on a copy machine if you need to.

You will find the score sheet I will use following the excerpts. The sections in the score sheet correspond to the sections of the excerpts. Each box I check on the sheet is worth 2 points with the exception of section IV. For that section, I will check ONE box (point values are indicated).

The score sheet will help you clarify your practice goals in preparing for the audition. A copy of my scores and comments will be available to you and will give you useful feed-back after the audition.

Try to play everything. HOWEVER, if an excerpt is beyond your present skill level, you may elect to NOT play it, make octave adjustments, and or slow the tempo. Show me what you CAN do!

NOTE: This audition format is based on the current research of Dr. Timothy Mutschlecner and his recently completed University of Florida Ph.D. dissertation: The Construction, Validation, and Administration of a Diagnostic Test of Cello Technique for Undergraduate Cellists.

UF Ensembles Audition - Trombone (bass and tenor)

I: Tone

UF Ensembles Audition - Trombone (bass and tenor)

II. Articulation Grondahl: Concerto,

III. Rhythmic Accuracy from Sulek: Sonata Vox Gabrieli (half note = c.60

UF Ensembles Audition - Trombone (bass and tenor)

IV. Technical Facilityfrom Rossini: La Gazza Ladra (Allegro - in 1)

V. Pitch Range Bass trombone only:

UF Ensembles Audition - Trombone (bass and tenor)

(V. Pitch Range continued)

Tenor trombone only Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra

All players:

UF Ensembles Audition - Trombone (bass and tenor)

VI: Dynamic Range

UF Ensembles Audition - Trombone (bass and tenor)

Audition Score Sheet Player no. ___________

each check is 2 points except for group IV. Highest possible score is 80

I. TONE ☐ characteristic symphonic trombone sound☐ strong, resonant and centered in loudest passages☐ resonant and centered in softest passages☐ tone is consistently clear - no unwanted noises☐ tone is free of uncontrolled shakes and quivers

II. ARTICULATION ☐ notated articulations are accurately performed☐ legato style is smooth and consistent☐ detached style is clean and consistent☐ demonstrates a good range of articulation styles☐ tone is consistently good in all articulation styles

III. RHYTHMIC ACCURACY☐ maintains steady pulse and any pulse changes are intentional and appropriate to style☐ notated rhythms are generally accurately played☐ rests are accurately counted☐ rhythmic figures involving subdivision of the beat are precise☐ rhythmic figures are performed with appropriate stylistic inflection

IV. TECHNICAL FACILITY

☐ 10 demonstrates highest level of competency☐ 8 shows a high degree of competence, with only minor flaws☐ 6 demonstrates a moderate degree of competence☐ 2 tentative and faltering with some pitch or intonation errors ☐ -2 undeveloped with many inaccurate and out-of-tune pitches

V. PITCH RANGE

☐ strong and secure in upper [lower if bass trombone] range with lead player reliability☐ secure in middle registers☐ secure in low [high if bass trombone] register☐ able to move through and change registers smoothly☐ tone and intonation is of good quality in all registers

UF Ensembles Audition - Trombone (bass and tenor)

VI. DYNAMIC RANGE

☐ has a wide dynamic range☐ can change from one extreme to the other immediately☐ crescendos and diminuendos are effective and stylistically appropriate☐ tone is centered and of consistent quality throughout dynamic range☐ follows notated dynamics accurately

VII. SIGHTREADING pt. 1 - tricky passage in bass clef pt. 2 - tricky passage in tenor and alto clefs☐ acceptable note accuracy in alto clef☐ acceptable note accuracy in tenor clef☐ acceptable note accuracy in bass clef☐ acceptable rhythmic accuracy☐ acceptable projection of stylistic and expressive aspects

COMPREHENSIVE

☐ performs with confidence and poise☐ performs with artistry appropriate to a section leader☐ plays generally with good intonation☐ plays with acceptable pitch and rhythm accuracy☐ would make a positive musical contribution to a top-level ensemble section

TOTAL SCORE_______________

COMMENTS:

UF Ensembles Audition - Trombone (bass and tenor)