Posted by Mississippi on October 02, 2003 at 17:36:31:
In Reply to: Differences in All-State Tryouts by Stat posted by Tuba Dad on October 02, 2003 at 17:05:50:
Mississippi: play anything you want, showcasing technical and lyrical capabilities. Scales 5-flats to 4-sharps.
I would like to see Mississippi move towards using required audition pieces. This would encourage students learn an entire piece of music. Over time, the standard of playing could be gradually raised to increase the level of musical ability in the state. Currently, many students cut and paste one or two lines of music from different sources to make an audition piece. Often the keys of their chosen fragments aren't even related?! To make matters worse, some band directors hand their students flashy technical pieces that contribute to the deveolpment of bad tone and technique.
Signed,
Frustrated Educator in MS