Re: Re: Re: ITEC 2002 Artist Euphonium Competition


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TubeNet BBS ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by ITEC critic on January 17, 2002 at 09:39:34:

In Reply to: Re: Re: ITEC 2002 Artist Euphonium Competition posted by Mark F. on January 17, 2002 at 09:00:19:

ITEC needs to make changes or at least reconsider its competitions.

Kids who enter the youth competition on B Flat tubas (and even C tubas) are at a huge disadvantage. Not only is there a real "musical" disadvantage, there is an obvious judging bias for F tubas over B Flats and C tubas. Perhaps the youth competition should be more along the lines of an all-state competition and less on "solo" repertoire best played on an F tuba.

Furthermore, eliminate tuba players, tuba pros and tuba teachers as judges. Get conductors or music directors or professional music contest judges instead. Tuba players are so hung up on equipment and key that it shades their judgment in these competitions. These tuba pros / teachers also have deeply ingrained biases on how the solos should "sound." Get qualified musicians as judges who don't know a B Flat from a C from and F, and I think that there will be an improvement in these ITEC competitions. Think about it: when these kids compete for orchestral jobs in the future, the judge is not going to be another tuba player but a music director.


Follow Ups: