NEC Placement Auditions

[bachmaninov]

Hey everyone, I posted about a year ago with my repertoire for conservatory auditions and asked for suggestions.

I auditioned for only three conservatories - Manhattan School of Music, Boston Conservatory, and New England Conservatory. I made it in to all three, and got a scholarship to all three... the most scholarship coming from Manhattan, but I did not wish to live in New York so I decided to attend New England instead! I recieved 28k in scholarship and grants, and was assigned to Veronica Jochum's studio.

Okay, so ever since my auditions I will admit that senioritis has taken a huge hit on me. I haven't "seriously" practiced in a month or two. However, now I'm starting to feel guilty for my slacking, so I started to get it back into gear just recently.

I just recieved my "orientation packet" for New England in the mail, and in it is a note from the chair of the piano department of NEC Bruce Brubaker. According to the letter, "all incoming piano majors, including those with a prior commitment from a teacher, are required to play a ten-minute audition during orientation week. The audition will serve for studio placement where necessary and possibly for chamber music placement. Please prepare two contrasting pieces of your choice, one fast and one slow, or a larger work, such as a sonata or ballade that contains contrasting elements."

So here's my question: Does this audition seem like a big deal? I already have been assigned to Jochum's studio, so what could the instructors be looking for in this audition?

Also, I do not want to go through the entire summer without having learned at least one major piece. Since I need two in this audition, this may be a good time to learn something (I still have a little more than two months). My first piece will be Beethoven Op. 81a (1st). Without repeats should be about 5 minutes... So im looking for a faster piece in the 4-5 minute range. Any suggestions? I'm looking for something very unique, not a chopin scherzo, a liszt etude, not that stuff! Maybe some Medtner, Barber, I dunno... give me some advice!

Thanks!

[sharon_f]

Didn't they ask for something contrasting. The Beethoven goes pretty fast, so shouldn't you be looking for something slow? What about the Barber Nocturne?

[bachmaninov]

I figure contrasting style is good enough.

Beethoven being classical and then playing something romantic or contemporary.

I'm in the process of learning chopin's fantasy... Maybe i should just play that.

[kriskicksass]

 If you play the Fantasy in F minor, you shouldn't need a second piece. It says there that you can use a big piece instead of two small ones, so depending on how well it's going you may want to just stick to that one.

[bloodyengel]

HEY! You're gonna be down the street from me! I go to Berklee. So greetings fellow pianist! I had to do a placement audition at Berklee before they started auditioning people to get in. But placement auditions are basically you just going to show them what it is you can do. And yes they would typically decide with you what teacher you would have. So, I think it's more because everybody's doing it regardless of if they've assigned you to a teacher. (They might also want to double check it). But also they want to see if they can place you in a chamber music ensemble as well right? So, you're also auditioning for ensemble performance in this audition not just for a teacher. You can tell them you've been assigned to a teacher already.

What piece to play? Contrasting can mean a lot of things, so pick something you think works and you'll be fine. You aren't auditioning to get in so don't worry about the pieces too much. Just do your best! They can't complain about your best for a placement audition.

Tell us how it goes!
~Cara

[jinfiesto]

You could do the Barber Sonata... That's a big work, and I don't think it's played too often.. The fugue is spectacular.