The audition room is cold and intimidating. Your heart is beating faster and faster. The two judges sitting across from you seem welcoming, yet incredibly strict. This single audition could make or break your high school music career. Would everything you have been rehearsing for months be a waste of time? However, against all your doubts, you begin to play and everything flows naturally. Your fingers glide across the keys of your instrument. Ignoring all of your surroundings, you focus on every note, every scale, and phrase to the best of your ability. Before you know it, your audition is over and it is time to move on to prepare for the next one. This is the everyday life for clarinet player, Jonathan Oakes.
Many are impressed when they hear Jonathan play the clarinet and can admit that he is incredible at what he does, whether it's in the band room, a concert in the auditorium, or when he's preparing for an audition. Jonathan was introduced to the clarinet in fourth grade at Ludlow Elementary School, and he was instantly hooked. But he did not start off as the clarinet prodigy that he is now. Jonathan now practices up to four hours a day when preparing for auditions. He explains why he practices so often, “When I see a hard piece of music with very challenging rhythms and notes, I get excited because I want to be able to do it. Practicing is like a challenge. When I am finally able to play a piece well, it is very satisfying.” Jonathan prepares for his auditions by listening to the piece on Youtube and practicing it over and over until it is drilled into his brain and his fingers. It is critical to know your piece very well and to be prepared for auditions or the judges will notice and take it into account when judging you. The clarinet is not the only thing that Jonathan specializes in. He also plays the soprano, alto, and baritone saxophone which are very similar instruments to the clarinet. Jonathan admits that he has attempted at playing other instruments, such as the oboe and the trumpet, but was not able to successfully play them, which shows that everyone has different strengths.
Auditions:
Jonathan usually has three important auditions throughout the year: Districts, All States, and as of this year, New Englands. Districts is the most common competition for students at GMUHS. Students from our school’s district compete and audition to be able to play in the band directed and conducted by professionals. Not only does Districts have a band, but it also has Chorus and Jazz ensembles. In All States, there are students from all over the state of Vermont that audition, making the competition larger and full of more talent. Going up against brilliant kids from all over Vermont, Jonathan knows that he has to be prepared and calm when he goes into auditions. Jonathan has been auditioning for Districts since sixth grade, he explains, “I no longer get as nervous [as I used to] because I know the pieces in and out. And when you are so passionate and confident about something, you don’t get nervous in a bad way, it's more of an excited way.”
Band:
As well as auditioning for grandiose bands, Jonathan also spends time playing in GMUHS’ band, directed by Christine Saul. The band performs concerts three times a year plus as a marching band in local parades. Although the GMUHS band is not as large as some of the other bands Jonathan has performed in, he says that he actually likes the smaller size. In a smaller band it is easier to listen to yourself and to the others around you, as well as work on more challenging pieces. He has been able to improve upon his dynamics, rhythms and his ability to blend in with the other members. Jonathan says, “We are capable because the individuals in our band are talented and focused.… We are all very tight and it is easier for me to be more comfortable in band and share my ideas.” Band class is always welcoming to new students and you do not have to be perfect at an instrument to join band. Playing a musical instrument has been proven to help improve your memory, math skills, and helps activate multiple areas of your brain. It can also open more doors for students in life, especially when applying to college.
Although Jonathan is unsure of what he wants to do in his life as a profession, he does hope to play in a professional orchestra as a hobby. He wouldn’t ever want to give the clarinet up, he says, “The clarinet fills an empty spot in my life. If I didn’t have music, then I wouldn’t have anything else in my life that I would want to devote my time to.” Not only has the clarinet given him something to be passionate about, he says that it has also taught him an important life lesson. When working towards a goal, you have to be persistent and to never let your doubts get to you. If you want something bad enough, you’ll eventually achieve it.
I would also like to say congratulations to Jonathan for getting second chair in New Englands!
Click the video to see Jonathan practicing his New Englands Audition!
-Rosie Saccardo
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