Introducing Randall Goosby: 1st Place Winner of Sphinx Competition 2010

February 12, 2010 at 9:26 PM

I had the pleasure of performing with the Sphinx Symphony this past weekend in Detroit. It was a special honor to hear both the semi-final and finals audition of now Junior 1st Place Winner Randall Goosby. It is a pleasure to introduce him through this interview.

How long have you played?
About 6 years

Did you start with the Suzuki Method? If yes, did you finish all of the books
Yes, I did for the first year. I only did up to book 4.

How old are you?
13 years old

Why did you start playing the violin?
When my mom asked me what instrument I wanted to learn, I just said violin for no reason really....

When did you start taking the instrument seriously and why?
After my first student recital, I just fell in love with performing on stage and went from there

How much do you practice?
4-5 hours a day

What is your favorite musical experience and why?
Having the opportunity to perform in Orchestra Hall in Detroit because I have never played in a hall with such amazing acoustics.

Do you ever fight with your parents about practice? Who wins?
Yes, all the time. My mom always wins

What do you do when you are not practicing
I like to hang out with my friends, checking myspace and playing outside with my younger brother & Dad.

Do you listen to non-classical music? If so what? Name some of your favorite artists?
Yes. I listen to some Jazz, R & B and Hip Hop. Bob Marley, Kanye West and Will Downing

Who is your favorite violinist to listen to?
David Oistrakh

Who is your favorite composer?
Paganini

How do you practice so much and still do your homework? What is your schedule?
I break up my practice into segments. During the breaks, I do my homework. 1-2 hrs in the morning practice and school from 9am-4pm and 2-3 hrs practice after school

You live in Tennesse and study in New York City and how does that arrangement work?
I fly with my mom one weekend a month. 2-3 hrs lesson on Sat & Sun

What are some of your musical goals this year?
I would like to expand my repertoire

What do you want to do with the violin in the future?
I would like to perform around the world as a professional violinist.

What was it like competing in the Sphinx Competition?
The environment was very friendly and relaxed and felt more like a camp than a competition.

What were some of your favorite experiences at the competition?
I enjoyed socializing with other participants, jury members and SSO members.

Have you done many competitions before? Is the Sphinx similar to those?
Not many. Sphinx is the first major competition I have participated in.
Sphinx is definitely different from other competitions that I've entered.

What did you win?
Cash award, the opportunity to perform with several orchestra across the country and a debut on "From the Top" radio show.

How do you perfect pieces? How do you practice?
Very slow precise practicing with a metronome is necessary to perfect pieces

What is your slowest practice tempo?
42

Are you always motivated to practice? What do you do when you are not as motivated?

Nooooooo. I think of the outcome in the long run.

How long did you prepare for the competition? How did you prepare?

About one year. Slowly with a metronome. INTONATION!!!

If you could be a super hero what would be your super power?
Perfect Intonation:)

From Anne-Marie Proulx
Posted on February 13, 2010 at 7:07 PM

thanks for this lovely interview!

Anne-Marie

From Mark Johnson
Posted on February 13, 2010 at 7:55 PM

Very talented kid! Studies with Philippe Quint btw!

From Phil Easley
Posted on February 13, 2010 at 10:24 PM

How eloquent: both questions and answers so direct and to-the-point, packing in much more information and enlightenment than anything wordier.

And... another vote for slow metronome practice. I think Professor Kurt Sassmanshaus has said something about being tempted to try to persuade the metronome companies to manufacture devices with only one speed: 40 beats per minute.

From Zachariah Lehrer
Posted on February 13, 2010 at 10:58 PM

I like his super-power choice haha

From Laurie Niles
Posted on February 15, 2010 at 3:12 AM

Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with Randall and post this interview. Congratulations to all who participated!

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