Picking an All-State solo excerpt?

arabians207 · Post by **arabians207** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 11:18 pm

So I am not really sure what I should do.. but I know I need to decide VERY quickly so all opinions would be great

So I made All-State (Iowa) last year as a junior, and will be a senior this year. Obviously, I really want to make it again. I have seen many who got in one year and not the next so I know I cannot slack any just because I made it before..

Anyway, I have a few choices for solo excerpts. And they have to be 1:20 or less.. i'd prefer right at 1:20 or JUST under. My strength is definitely playing musically/lower register stuff. And there will be no accompanist.

Chaminade: Played this piece for many things last year including All-State (was just starting it then) I know it VERY well, and play it very well. I won't mind playing this because I know I can get in with it but on the other hand I want something challenging to work on as I am already getting bored with the etudes.. I am also playing this at our State Fair in 2 weeks..
Excerpt from last year (this is me btw, at solo ensemble)
1:41-2:58 (with a end.. that was a cut in this vid)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN4uDZ9xEC4

Bohuslav Martinu First Sonata: I have been mostly looking at this piece but I still am not really sure.. I really like it but am afraid there isn't a great spot to pick.. I really do like it though. I have just looked at the first movement but the others will be considered too. My current excerpt is from 3:35- 4:47. I usually play it a bit slower than this vid.. but i might be able to get it from 3:35-5:08 which would make me like it more.. that was my original spot but I don't think I can get it in 1:20.. not sure if they time it or not.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2IJZ_7yu0g

Eldin Burton Sonatina: I really like this piece.. could really show of my musicality but I haven't found a great 1:20 segment of it to use.. there are also some technical stuff and high low stuff. If i could find a good spot might work well. Looking at Mvmt 1 but suggestions from the other two will be taken too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG59Jr64AFc

Thanks a ton

caitlin i · Post by **caitlin i** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 7:18 am

First, isn't your private teacher helping you decide on this?

Now: all of your choices sound interesting. I love the Martinu and Burton. Chaminade has never been one of my favorites. (Though I really enjoy most of the other French pieces).

Usually I would say that you should go with what you are most comfortable and confident about playing. But since you expressed that you'd like to do something other than the Chaminade, maybe you should go with one of the other two pieces.

How much time do you have to prepare? What does your selection need to exemplify? If I knew these two bits of info I could help more.

Caitlin

stewyflute13 · Post by **stewyflute13** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:34 am

If I were you, I would choose Martinu.

arabians207 · Post by **arabians207** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 3:12 pm

My lesson teacher is helping me, but she really is leaving it up to me. She offers her opinions but really wants to let me pick. There was a 2-3 week time period when I didn't see her at all so ya.

I have till October 24th till the auditions so still lots of time left. After seeing my teacher last night, I have decided on the Burton Sonatina. It really shows my musicality and some upper register stuff (which the two etudes do not show) as well as a little bit of technical stuff.. but my teacher thinks it suits me really well and shows off what the etudes don't. I will be playing from 1:56-3:05 in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG59Jr64AFc

Thanks