Help for auditions at UNT!

flugle-me-elmo · Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2002 9:48 pm Post subject:

I'll be auditioning at the university of north texas in a few months (as well as some other schools....Oberlin, univ. of Miami) and I have no idea what to really expect. Going in as a jazz major many places require a jazz AND a classical audition...and I'd like to be in the composition studies as well (probably major in comp. and not trumpet performance). I've written about a dozen big band charts for my high school and they sound pretty good, I suppose...but most of the schools look at my trumpet playing before composing so I'm really trying to beef up my playing right now. Any helpful hints or inside info on what actually goes on in these sorts of auditions...what helps to do...repetoire...attitude...composition aspect? Thanks a lot, and feel free to e-mail me with anything you wouldn't want to post.

Vessehune · Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2002 10:39 pm Post subject:

Two words!! Sight Reading! Make sure your sight reading chops are good. If not kiss UNT good bye!

ejaime23 · Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2002 7:18 am Post subject:

Are you an undergrad??? I've heard real bad things about going to UNT as an undergrad, you might want to try somewhere else first if you are, just some words I've heard from MANY people.

Iguananaught · Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2002 7:37 pm Post subject:

I don't want to start an argument, but both the teachers at UNT are awesome, and you would probably have a great experience at UNT. The Jazz program is second to none, and if you work your butt off, you will get a ton out of the school. I wish I had gone there. Oh, sight reading is important, but play whatever you are comfortable with. If you sound good on Hadyn play Hadyn, or Arutunian or whatever, just make sure you are comfortable with it. As for the Jazz thing, don't play anything too "out there". Play a standard or two and then maybe something a little modern. Of course, I didn't go there so what do I know!?

Good Luck!

Pat

PH · Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2002 4:52 am Post subject:

I think there are 3 teachers @ UNT. True?

There is Keith Johnson, Jay Saunders, and whoever ends up replacing the recently retired Leonard Candelaria.

phrenetic trumpet · Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2002 2:05 pm Post subject:

When I was at UNT in the late 70's, VERY FEW freshman studied with the full-time trumpet teachers. The great majority of freshman studied with teaching assistants (graduate students). What helps is if you're a good player AND at least one of the full-time trumpet teachers know this before you attend UNT. While many of the teaching assistants were good players and teachers, the experience was not what many of the freshman expected.

Regards,
Brian

trptcase · Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2002 9:02 am Post subject:

John Holt of the Dallas Opera is teaching at UNT this year for Candelaria. Candelaria is a visting artist-in-residence this year at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

For auditions at UNT, it is important to play something that you are comfortable with. Any of the standard solos (Haydn, Hummel, Arutunian, Kennan, Hindemith, etc) are acceptable. Orchestral excerpts are fine as well. Unless you are going specifically into jazz studies, you will not have to play jazz at your audition to get accepted into the College of Music. Just play something that shows off both your lyrical and technical abilities!

Brian is correct- it is true that few freshman study with professors at UNT and those freshman are usually performance majors. The program is extremely large and it can be an overwhelming place for undergrads, speaking from experience. But if you can make contact with Keith Johnson, John Holt, Jay Saunders, or Mike Steinel (teaches jazz improv, trumpet player) this will help you out.

When I auditioned in 98, I found that the atmosphere was not nearly as intimidating as I thought it would be. There are a lot of people to help you out (besides the fact that the music building is somewhat of a maze). Inside the audition room, you will not find a whole panel staring you down but one or two of the trumpet profs. Just remember that they want you to play your best and see what you can do! Good luck! If I can be of any further help, please feel free to e-mail me!

Casey Matthews
UNT- BM 2002

trptcase@aol.com

steve watkins · New Member Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Posts: 6

I went to North Texas from 1980-1982. Great bands, fine players, (150+ trumpets)but an atmosphere that could be intimidating. The good part of that is it made you want to get your act together in a hurry. The bad part for me at least, was living in Texas, where theres not a whole lot going on outside of school. Don't get me wrong, its an outstanding school, but take into consideration the location before you drive to Denton. I graduated from Univ. of Miami in 1989. Great school, lots of music going on in the Miami area, a more relaxed approach to learning, more individual attention from teachers, and a killer jazz department. However, it is a private school-very expensive. I would'nt worry about your audition to get accepted into NT's music dept. They don't expect anyone to sound like Bud Herseth as a Freshman.
Good luck, and don't worry-its just school, not life!

adamcz · Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2003 12:51 pm Post subject:

Any place that makes you take a classical audition in addition to jazz is jive, and should give you an indication of where their priorities lie. As far as UNT's jazz program being second to none; everybody thinks their school is the best. Reality is there's maybe 10 schools that are good, with their different strenghts and weaknesses, and you should go to whatever one gives you the bread.

SHS_Trumpet · Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2003 6:04 pm Post subject:

UNT has an awesome jazz program. I went to a big band/Combo camp there last year and had a great time. I have a few freinds going there now too. I think you need to just be yourself, be calm, and make music your way. You would be really lucky to have Jay do your audtition he is a great guy.
_________________
Andrew Fowler
MYNWA
"90% of trumpet music is below high C"

Nicholas Dyson · Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2003 9:41 pm Post subject:

mark936 · Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2003 2:16 am Post subject:

USC just jacked their tuition up to $50,000 a year. (not including food and housing.)
Texas sounds real darn good to a parent!

edit: USC school of medicine

[ This Message was edited by: mark936 on 2003-02-21 02:23 ]

adamcz · Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2003 4:24 pm Post subject:

No school is $50,000. That can't be right.

adamcz · Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2003 4:33 pm Post subject:

http://afaweb.esd.usc.edu/dcpage2.cfm?PageBaseID=50072

Yep, just checked, and tuition there is $27,000. Still doesn't come anywhere near 50k when you factor in housing.

UNTJazzPlayer · Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2003 9:26 pm Post subject:

I am a currently at school here at UNT. I am Jazz Studies Major and I love it here. The whole one on one thing is not true. I could understand how if you didn't really seek it out it would seem that way, but I am learning so much. The teachers here are the best around and can help and will help you in everyway possible.

-Nick
_________________
Without music, life would be a mistake.
-Friedrich Nietzsche

Bach Strad. 180S ML 37/Bob Reeves 43M692
Blessing 154RT Flugelhorn/Bob Reeves 43FE

UNTJazzPlayer · Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2003 9:28 pm Post subject:

Oh yeah... About auditions...
It is all about Sight Reading for Jazz auditions. Pull out the Omnibook and just sight read. The Jazz Conceptions book with the play along CD is another good one. One thing I wish I would have worked on improving before I got here is my transcription skills...

-Nick
_________________
Without music, life would be a mistake.
-Friedrich Nietzsche

Bach Strad. 180S ML 37/Bob Reeves 43M692
Blessing 154RT Flugelhorn/Bob Reeves 43FE

adamcz · Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2003 9:42 am Post subject:

How can you be qualified to make a statement like "the teachers here are the best around?" Certainly the teachers there are not the best around as performers, and it would be extremely difficult to form an unbiased opinion of their pedagogical abilities without studying with the teachers at every other school. I'm glad you're enjoying your stay there though.

trumpetspipe · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2003 7:54 am Post subject:

i got to school at UNF and the director of our top band is keith javors who is a veteran of the UNT one o'clock band. he always speaks highly of the school and his expericiences there. Just a thought, UNF has an incredible undergraduate program down here and is much smaller so you can get plenty of one on one attention. Another added bonus is out of state tuition isn't that bad and if you impress the professors, you can get out of state waivers so you only have ot pay instate tuition.... where ever you decide to go make sure you work your ass of though, make sure it counts... i completely agree with the 10% teacher 90% student.... teachers can only guide you, it's up to you to make it happen...

BeboppinFool · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2003 2:54 pm Post subject:

UNTJazzPlayer · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2003 2:12 pm Post subject:

Rich is also right. I had forgot to mention the fact that you are surrounded by so many people your age who are really enthusiastic about Jazz.

-Nick