Cornet in auditions

Stradbrother · Veteran Member Joined: 13 Apr 2015 Posts: 150

Hey TH

Just curious here, for graduate auditions, is there any history of playing a cornet solo on a proper, turn of the century cornet as a part of an audition?

I plan on going to graduate school for my Masters in Music in 2021, and I didn't know if there was any cornet history in auditions, or if you just stick to different keyed trumpets.

Thanks!

bike&ed · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Posts: 1837

The New York Ballet audition packet for principal trumpet has several excerpts marked with "cornet" in italics, as well a few with "rotary." Not sure if those instruments are specifically expected for the audition, or if that's the general tonal/stylistic approach that's expected.

kgsmith1 · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2020 8:08 am Post subject:

When I was doing grad school auditions (15 years ago fwiw) no one showed up with a cornet, let alone an authentic antique.

If you're playing rep that would call for cornet, and you have access to one, and you're comfortable on it and sound your best playing it, go for it. Could help you stand out for your awareness of the history of the music and ability to play a range of equipment.

Otherwise, show them your best playing on the equipment you know well.

Pro auditions such as NY Ballet will have different expectations, I think, but I never reached that level.

Good luck, whatever your decision hope the audition prep is going well!

GordonH · Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 3:43 am Post subject:

We have separate universities that teach cornet and separate ones that teach trumpet. Never the twain shall meet. This comes down to us because of social class. Working class people played the cornet. Posh people played the trumpet. We still have this division. When I drive to work I see kids going into the fee paying schools with trumpet cases, not cornet cases.

When I was a boy you could not study cornet at all. You had to switch to trumpet.

Its maybe not as rigid as that now, but we sill have a lot of it here.
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kehaulani · Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 8:04 am Post subject:

Cornet tradition in the U.K. is different than in America.

If you've got a question as to how it will be received, why not call the professor?
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Stradbrother · Veteran Member Joined: 13 Apr 2015 Posts: 150

Nonsense Eliminator · Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2020 6:03 am Post subject:

Never voluntarily make your life more difficult. In particular, never voluntarily make your life more difficult if there is any chance that your audience might not notice or understand the effort you're making. Put yourself in the headspace of the audition panel. They want to hear if you have good fundamentals and good musicianship. To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure a turn-of-the-century cornet solo is a particularly good choice for a grad school audition, regardless of what you play it on.
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JayV · Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2020 7:43 am Post subject:

blbaumgarn · Heavyweight Member Joined: 26 Jul 2017 Posts: 705

When I started college, two ice ages ago, I was playing a Conn 36b. I used that for auditions to symphonic band, orchestra, lessons, etc. I made a position in symphonic band and was provided a Getzen Eterna like everyone in the section. I like it so much that I used it for everything except brass choir. I used it for my juries, too which no one on the brass faculty questioned a bit. I felt that the cornet was easier for me to progress technically on. I enjoyed the sound and just playing that horn so I went with it. I kind of wanted a different trumpet but my teacher was more patient. Just keep playing there is plenty of time. Call or write where you are auditioning and see. There may be some things that are harder about getting a vintage cornet to perform at the level you want it to for a serious audition. I have a 50 year old King cornet which is good but I wouldn't want to push it that way if I were young again. Best of Luck in your pursuits.
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