Hello and welcome to the Auditors’ section of the Alessi Seminar site!
I am delighted to share my thoughts about the Alessi Seminar and what it is like to be an auditor.
First of all, I believe the Alessi Seminar to be the most important event in all of trombone. It is 10 days of sharing information that cannot be found ANYWHERE ELSE! There is a reason that many of Mr. Alessi’s students win jobs playing their instrument…and that reason can be found at the Alessi Seminar. I was a participant in the first Alessi Seminar in 1999 and it was the single most important experience of my career! Any success I now enjoy can be traced directly to the Alessi Seminar experience.
It is important that one understands our terminology. “Participant” is used to describe the trombonists that are selected to attend via a recorded audition. The repertoire for the recording can be found HERE. “Auditor” is used to describe the 45 trombonists who will attend without having to submit a recording, or whose recording didn’t quite make the cut. Hopefully, attending as an auditor in 2007 will provide insight and motivation to succeed in becoming a participant in 2009.
The auditor experience:
As the coordinator of the auditors, I want to make certain that each of you has a great experience and comes away with information that you didn’t arrive with. In addition to observing the daily masterclasses with Mr. Alessi, we meet and have our own daily classes. We cover many extra topics not covered in the participant masterclasses. A typical day includes breakfast, group warm-up, observing participant masterclass, lunch, our own auditor class, dinner and then either free time to practice or attend one of several concerts. We also have a terrific auditor trombone choir. WHAT A SOUND!
During our classes there will be opportunities for people to perform (if you wish to be coached please bring something prepared!), discussions on everything from auditions to equipment to cases to dealing with the airlines. I will also present another installment of what I call “Good Playing versus Good Playing, Movement II.” Mr. Alessi will also lead an auditors class so you will have the opportunity for one-on-one contact with him as well.
I teach at Indiana University, where we have around 45 trombone majors, roughly the same number as auditors at the Alessi Seminar. I am always excited to spend time with trombonists and exchange thoughts. Many times, I will take direction from the class and discuss what YOU want to discuss. It is a terrific forum for us to share information vital to succeeding in and enjoying a life in music.
I have already been in contact with many of you and look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new. See you in Albuquerque in 2007!
