The Kentucky All District/All State music has been released, and everyone is getting started on learning the 2 etudes as well as the scales (the dreaded #5!) Let’s GO!

Here are recordings of the two etudes that I like to use for reference.They are wonderful performers who play beautifully and represent the etudes well. These will give you an idea of shape and pacing, but do not just copy them. Learn the etudes slowly and commit everything to muscle memory first before adding speed and anything else.

Slow and steady wins the race, and don’t wait until the end of October to get started! GOOD LUCK!

If you are needing personalized coaching on these and are not a private student of mine, you are WELCOME to schedule a coaching session with me. Please contact me here to discuss availability and pricing. I offer these individual coachings in person and on Zoom.

Rose #31 from Rose 32 Etudes

Rose #35 from Rose 40, Book 2

Now that the audition excerpts (music selections) are out, it is important that students not only familiarize themselves with the notes on the page, but it is incredibly helpful to know what the piece sounds like, style, tempos, your role in that moment of the music, in order to produce an audition from a place of hard work AND knowledge.

Below are links to videos of the orchestra works with timestamps where the clarinet excerpts are heard. It is important to not rely on this to teach you the excerpt, but to use as a reference tool that you may refer to through your practice journey.

I am also including links to the actual excerpt pages in order for you to print out the music if you haven’t already done so. Feel free to bring to your lesson so we may talk about pacing, breathing, style, etc. Happy Practicing!

Excerpts, videos, and time stamps

HORIZON WINDS (1&2 required, add 3 for principal consideration)

Excerpt 1: Hopak from Sorochinsky Fair, Mussorgsky

• https://youtu.be/27rREqBlZsA?si=ya_bg1Rv5fbzcL9l&t=16
• Click here for music

Excerpt 2: Scheherezade, mvmnt 3, Rimsky-Korsakov

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdKTUfOxDgw
• Click here for music

REPERTORY ORCHESTRA (3&4 required, add 5 for principal consideration)

Excerpt 3: Beethoven Symphony 7, mvmnt 2

• https://youtu.be/ESilvOS2O9k?si=VmE4_JwuY0oU2xY7
• Timestamp: 3:08
• Click here for music

Excerpt 4: Shostakovich Symphony 9, mvmnt 5

• https://youtu.be/YfZ3PGLD2YA?si=gvQI1qgNlMuh7O-W
• Excerpt 1 timestamp: 22:23
• Excerpt 2 timestamp: 23:40
• Click here for music

Excerpt 5: Verdi La Forza del Destino Overture

• https://youtu.be/CkPOVYg4Bxc?si=net1e6Mdws1JaxG
• Timestamp: 3:45
• Click here for music

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (5&6 required)

Excerpt 5: Verdi La Forza del Destino Overture

• https://youtu.be/CkPOVYg4Bxc?si=net1E6zMdws1JaxG
• Timestamp: 3:45
• Click here for music

Excerpt 6: Tchaikovsky Romeo & Juliet Fantasy

• https://youtu.be/yEmsXdCjsos?si=TXLi04Xez_KNkWN7
• Timestamp: 16:45
• Click here for music