study bass in Chicago this summer at the National High School Music Institute
Applications are now being accepted for the National High School Music Institute at Northwestern University, just north of Chicago in Evanston, Illinois. I’ll be teaching bass there, and I’m looking forward to working with serious-minded students intent on honing their double bass skills.
Download the NHSMI flyer here:
Audition repertoire can be submitted via CD and consists of two contrasting pieces/movements from “serious” repertoire. This could include two sonata movements, two concerto movements, one of each, or a short piece like the Bottesini Elegy, Koussevitzky Valse Miniature, or other such work.
Details are available through the NHSMI application, and you can always email me (jasonheath -at- doublebassblog.org) with any questions.
Placement audition music (to be played when you arrive) is available here (PDF), and you can get an application through this page.
About Bass Study at the National High School Music Institute – June 27 – July 30, 2010
We’ll be focusing on the following components at NHSMI this summer:
- Advanced technical studies
- Solo literature
- Excerpt preparation
- Orchestral studies
- Audition preparation
- Bass ensemble skills and repertoire
One of the biggest challenges facing high school bassists is developing the skills necessary to succeed in the college and conservatory audition process. Fortunately, there are concrete skills (both musical and extra-musical) the can vastly improve one’s chances at auditioning successfully.
I am a big fan of using Don Greene’s audition preparation methods along with sports psychology and incorporating it into the study of the instrument. After all, it doesn’t really matter how well a bassist plays in the practice room if he or she can’t replicate those results in “real world” circumstances. This training will be a big component of double bass study at NHSMI this summer.
About Jason Heath’s Bass Teaching
Over the past 10 years, my students have gained admission to many prestigious music schools, including:
- Northwestern University
- Rice University
- Indiana University
- The Colburn School
- The Cleveland Institute of Music
- Eastman
- Boston University
- Oberlin
- Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
- DePaul University
- University of Michigan
- Michigan State University
- University of Colorado
- University of Oregon
- University of Illinois
Through preparing students for successful admission to these schools, I’ve had the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the audition process for a large percentage of major music schools, and will therefore, for those looking to pursue a career in music, focus NHSMI studies on developing the skills and repertoire necessary for success in the college audition scene and beyond.
Here’s a sampling of the materials and activities planned for double bass study at NHSMI this summer:
Technical Studies
- Shifting Drills – 2 Octaves with variations
- Progressive Scales – 2 Octaves with variations
- Left Hand Speed and Agility Drills – neck and thumb positions
- Petracchi – Simplified Higher Technique
- Hal Robinson – Boardwalkin’
- Hal Robinson – Strokin’
Solo Literature
Tailored to each student, but derived from the following:
- Koussevitzy Concerto
- Bottesini Concerto No. 2
- Vanhal Concerto
- Bach Solo Suites for Violoncello
- Sonatas by Hindemith, Misek, and Schubert
- Short works by Gliere, David Anderson, and Rabbath
Orchestral Literature
In addition to working on music being performed by the NHSMI Symphony, we will cover the core works of orchestral literature, emphasizing listening, score study, and historical information to determine style, bowings, and articulation. Works will be derived from the following list:
- Beethoven Symphony No. 5
- Beethoven Symphony No. 9
- Mozart Symphony No. 35
- Mozart Symphony No. 40
- Strauss Ein Heldenleben
- Strauss Don Juan
- Brahms Symphony No. 2
- Shostakovich Symphony No 5
- Tchaikowsky Symphony No. 4
Also, expect mock auditions, bass ensemble rehearsals and performances, and much more. Download an application here, and feel free to email me (jasonheath -at- doublebassblog.org) if you have any questions!
Photos from the Chicago Bass Festival
Here’s a sampling of images from the 2010 Chicago Bass Festival, which was held on February 7th at Ravinia’s Bennett-Gordon Hall in Highland Park, IL. More pics (and videos!) to follow shortly!
Here I am introducing the clinicians. Spot any familiar faces? There are at least 4 or 5 former Contrabass Conversations guests:
Check out how packed the lobby was! We had 130 participants, 30 clinicians, and another 40 or 50 vendors, siblings, and parents roaming the two levels of this facility:
I like this shot of all the cases piled in the balcony:
Here’s a shot of Trevor Jones of Molehill giving a clinic on managing your own music:
Michael Hovnanian arriving, well-bundled for the winter weather:
The Chicago Bass Ensemble performing, one of six events happening simultaneously at the 2 pm time slot:
More to come, and we hope to see you there next year!
Winter, winter, winter…
OK–whatever meager charm snow on the ground has is now gone for me. Time for spring.
…though Independence Grove is pretty even with a foot of snow!
new bass car for the bass blogger
I’ve had my far share of bad car problems (!), and I therefore approach anything automotive-related with a great deal of trepidation. When my wife’s Saturn wagon (a carbon copy of the car that I escaped from back in 2004 prior to its fiery demise) finally hit that “one repair too many” point over the weekend, we resolved to go out and get something new.
We ended up with a 2008 Honda Element, only 12,000 miles on it, and a really kickin’ bass and harp car (my wife’s a harpist) to boot. This should be loads of fun to drive, and it’s a great feeling to finally get away from these darn Saturns (though I’ve still got my red VUE–that’ll be our beater car for the time being).
I’d been thinking about an Element as a practical car for a bassist, and I’m even more convinced after driving it and riding around with a bass. It’s got a ton of room for gear, is configurable in a number of different ways depending on cargo/passenger needs, and is a really comfortable and fun ride. I’ll be looking forward to taking this on road trips up to Door County and out to South Dakota and New Mexico as well–should be great for that.
CBC 150: ISB 2011 Convention details
It’s official! Make plans to celebrate the Summer of Bass Love at the 2011 ISB Convention, June 5-11, at San Francisco State University. Stay tuned for details and mark your calendars!
We’re doing a brief podcast interview today with Barry Green, who we recently featured in an interview/performance episode on Contrabass Conversations. Barry describes the setting for the 2011 convention (which will be awesome!), and some other details that I’m sure will make you excited for this event. Enjoy!
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