audition at NewEnglandConservatory this February

[shazzo]

hi there my fellow saxists

i need advice. i'll be auditioning at NEC this february...pretty nervous now. just read the email this morning. any advice/suggestions/suggested repertoire? :shock:

i'm still thinking of what tunes to play...ah! i've never been so afraid in my life! :oops:

help me out guys...

thanks and god bless

[Hurling Frootmig]

Practice as much as you can and try and stay cool.

See if you can find out the format of the audition and try and organize run throughs with your teacher and some students. It will help you get comfortable with the process.

[KSQ]

Are you auditioning for the classical program, the jazz program, the contemporary improv program, or a combination?

[shazzo]

jazz baby! hehehe. MM in Jazz Studies to be exact.
i'm a jazz junkie. looking forward to meeting george garzone, jerry bergonzi and everyone else there :lol:
there's so much to learn, so little time...

[JS]

shazzo,
I did exactly what you'll be doing a couple of years ago. Pick tunes that you like to play, and are part of the history - a standard ("Like Someone in Love", "If I Should Lose You", etc.), a Monk tune (always a good idea, IMHO!), and a ballad - you'll probably only get to play two tunes. You'll do some sightreading, and A LOT of ear training. They'll play some chords, ask you to tell them what type of chord it was (extensions and all), and then play the arpeggio on your horn. Then, they'll play some lines on the piano, ark you to sing them back, and then play them on your horn. There will be a live rhythm section (made up of current grad students), and a few of the faculty will be listening to you play (Bergonzi was there when I auditioned). Good luck, have fun, and relax - no matter what happens, it's just someone's opinion of how you played that day (and nothing else!).

(I ended up going to William Paterson for grad school instead to be closer to NYC)...

www.jimsaltzman.com

[shazzo]

hi Jim, thanks so much. how's william patterson? :) i initially thought of applying there, but i just changed my mind at the last minute. (actually i really wanna be close to George Garzone, hoping to study with him)
does NEC audition ALL their applicants, or do they just wanna hear you live and see the type of person you are before you enter? :?
i'm pretty nervous, i'll be honest, my ear training isnt that great, and if i'm nervous it'll be worse. i'm practicing hard on that aspect. i'll be leaving for Boston on the 9th...it's so soon. wish me luck man.
where do u usually play? might wanna catch your show :lol:

thanks so much.

[shazzo]

JS, listening to your 'simplicity' mp3 now...awesome!!! where can i get your cd from???
:lol:

[JS]

shazzo,
Email me at jim@jimsaltzman.com - my CD should be in stores soon (long story...) :) - I could send you a copy in advance...
-JS

www.jimsaltzman.com

[shazzo]

JS, check your email. :lol:

thanks man. i'm in worcester, staying with my friend.