Welcome to the contestant preparation page!
First of all, I want to thank you so very much for making the commitment to compete at this year’s competition. It is my prayer that you will grow in your abilities and that the Lord would take you and use you mightily for His purposes and His kingdom! I hope you find these resources helpful as your prepare.
2024 Contestant Resources
The Bulletproof Musician
The Bulletproof Musician
The Bulletproof Musician
This is a great site! Go straight to the “blog” for all the great articles. You can filter them by subject to get to the ones that are most helpful for you. My daughter is currently in his music psychology class. She says it is great for technical help, but to be sure not to neglect artistry as well.
Practizma
The Bulletproof Musician
The Bulletproof Musician
On a recent trip to NYC, I visited The Flute Center to see what was new and found this wonderful practice journal! It is the best I have seen in helping you to grow as a musician. It is more of a journal for your musical journey that spans four months. The author’s website is also full of helpful information. I would order the practice journal. It is worth it to document all the is involved in this process.
Audition Hacker
Audition Hacker
Audition Hacker
This site is geared towards those auditioning for orchestral positions; however, is has great information for anyone who will be performing or audItioning. Be sure to download his Audition Cheatsheet., then scroll down and click on “audition hacker,” From there, scroll down and click on “resources.” There are downloadable checklists for auditions, college auditions and more. It’s a helpful site. The founder, Rob Knopper, is a percussionist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra at Lincoln Center in NYC.
Stage Freight
Audition Hacker
Audition Hacker
Did you know you can practice dealing with stage freight? Here are some interesting ways to put conquer your fears.
Listening
Listening
Listening to GOOD music is an integral part of becoming a great musician. It trains your ear and helps you strive for the quality that you are hearing, plus there is ann abundance of absolutely gorgeous music out there! I hope you will enjoy these selections. I would love to attach a link to each, but it look like you will need to look some of them up on your music app. Enjoy!
Durufle Requiem: Agnes Dei
Look up: Durufle Requiem: Agnes Dei, Stanford Chamber Chorale, Stephen M. Sano, Director. Durufle is a French composer who lived from 1902-1986. This particular work was written in 1947. A requiem is a mass for the dead. The text is in latin and says, “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, grant them eternal rest.” What a beautiful portrait in sound that is created by the rich harmonies and orchestration. The entire work is beautiful, but I especially love this movement.
Elgar Inigma Variations: Nimrod
- This video was made during the lockdowns of covid when all the students were sent home to their own countries. Conducted by the great violinist, Itzhak Perlman, this recording of Elgar’s well-known work is a feast for the ears.
- Elgar, who is a British composer, wrote his Enigma Variations as a way to create a musical portrait of many of his friends. The 9th variation is called “Nimrod.” The name is a play on words, as the Biblical Nimrod was a great hunter, and the German word meaning “hunter” is Jaeger. And yes, Elgar’s friend’s name was Jaegar.
- It was played at the funeral of HRH Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh. Composed between 1898-1899 this work has been used to touch the hearts of so many over the years. I hope you enjoy!
VOCES8
This Grammy award winning British group has some stunning pieces. Take a look at the album on your music app and read more about them by clicking the link below.
Morton Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna: Introitus
These type of works create such a sound portrait of the text which translated is asking the Lord to grant them eternal rest
O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them
A hymn befits thee, O God in Sion.
and to thee a vow shall be fulfilled
in Jerusalem:
Hear my prayer,
for unto thee all flesh shall come.
Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.