Graduate music research--resources anyone?

October 14, 2011 at 9:53 PM

Dear fellow violinists and admirers of the violin,

I am a graduate music student currently conducting research in orchestral matters. My thesis concerns the topics of 1) the concertmaster position 2) sound (ie dynamics, bowings, etc) and 3) auditions. This thesis is part of a larger future work, a book entitled "Minding Your P's and F's: A Guide on the Profession of Orchestral Playing for the Developing Violinist." The book itself will hopefully be a concise yet effective guide on various topics, including but not limited to principle titles, preparation, dynamics, and bowings. My goal in writing this thesis, and most importantly this book, is to distribute to any violinist of any age the overall knowledge any violinist should have about the orchestral career, should they wish to pursue that line of music. For most violinists, we do not grow up in the big cities, aurally and orally learning what we need to know about being a professional orchestral musician. Many music schools do not focus on anything orchestral, and perhaps there is a reason for that. But what I see is a lack of understanding of what is required and expected among violinists everywhere who want to be in the orchestral field.

My purpose in writing to you is to ask for your help. If any of you know someone I should talk to, a resource I should look into, or anything of that sort, I'd appreciate your input. I did look up a few resources some had already mentioned in other blogs, such as Richard Davis's book "Becoming an Orchestral Musician: A Guide for Aspiring Professionals". This book is in fact what I am hoping to model my book after. I also have Roger Frisch's ebook "The Orchestral Audition: How to Prepare" along with his Most Commonly Asked Orchestral Excerpts.

Thank you all for your time, and I'd love any feedback!

Sincerely,

Rebecca

From Mendy Smith
Posted on October 15, 2011 at 2:03 AM

Talk to Charles Noble from the Oregon Symphony (www.nobleviola.com). His blog is a gold-mine for life as an orchestral musician, auditions, etc... However, since the orchestral season started, he will most likely be incredibly busy.

Another option is to scout out the community orchestras for retired professionals. The one I played in Oregon had several retired professionals who were BYU and Julliard grads with amazing career stories.

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on October 16, 2011 at 3:34 AM

Greetings,

there was a very helpful series on this a few years back in the Strad. I think it was the leader of the London Symphony Orchestra. Anyway, each month he took a typical orchestral excerpt and explained how to rpesent it and what they were looking for.

Can`t be more precise but it is worth searching out.

Cheers,

Buri

From Rebecca Darnall
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 1:56 AM

Hi Mendy and Stephen,

Those are all great ideas! Thanks! Oregon is a stones throw away from me, so that shouldn't be hard, and magazines (or journals rather) seem to have the most abundance of writing on these topics, so that's a good way to go too...thanks again!

Rebecca

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Graduate music research--resources anyone?

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