PREPARATION FOR ORCHESTRAL TRUMPET AUDITIONS: THE PERSPECTIVES OF THREE PROMINENT ORCHESTRA PLAYERS

Abstract

Preparing for orchestra auditions can be a daunting task for a trumpet player. Numerous excerpt books have been compiled, but little material directly from orchestral players themselves is readily available. For this study, three prominent trumpet players were interviewed about how to prepare for an audition. Robert Platt currently teaches and performed with the Berlin Philharmonic, Marie Speziale currently teaches at Rice and performed with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and John Rommel currently teaches at Indiana University and performed with the Louisville Symphony Orchestra. They were each interviewed about general audition preparation techniques as well as preparation of five commonly requested excerpts. The excerpts discussed include: Bach Magnificat, BWV 243, "Magnificat anima mea;" Bartók Concerto for Orchestra, V; Debussy "Fêtes" from Trois Nocturnes; Gershwin Piano Concerto in F, II; and Strauss Don Juan. Appendix is a compilation of trumpet orchestra audition lists, most in the U.S.