Download the NHSMI flyer here:

NHSMI-2010.pdf

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!

Looks like a great faculty lineup in an awesome setting–register here.

A reader emailed me recently mentioning that he found my MP3 sonatas and concertos page to be of value. I haven’t mentioned this page in quite some time. Feel free to dig through this and see if you find something useful. You can also check out our downloads page for more resources:

doublebassblog.org/features/downloads

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.

Folks familiar with me primarily through my blog may not be aware that I am primarily a teacher. In addition to teaching bass privately in metro Chicago for the past 10 years, I have served on the faculties of DePaul University, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and Trinity International University. I am a member of the Board of Directors for the International Society of Bassists and have performed and spoken on all things musical at a variety of clinics and events.

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!

What does your $60 (or $75 if you’re reading this in late January) get you? Here’s a list:

• Check out clinics and performances from bassists like Peter Lloyd, Jeff Bradetich, Michael Hovnanian, Eric Hochber, Michael Cameron, Rob Kassinger, Brad Opland, Dan Armstrong, Andy Anderson, and many others (complete list here)
• Check out basses from dealers like the Guarneri House, A440, Martin Sheridan, and Mark Sonksen
• Workshops for young bassists from specialists like Alan Steiner, Steve Reinfranck, and Alison Gaines
• Audition and excerpt preparation from Chicago Symphony and Lyric Opera bassists like Rob Kassinger, Michael Hovnanian, and Andy Anderson
• Early music performances and clinics from Jerry Fuller and James Lambert
• IMEA and All-State audition preparation and tips from Alan Steiner
• Advanced technique classes from Jeff Bradetich
• Jazz bass instruction and clinics from Eric Hichberg, Brad Opland, and Steve Rodby
• T-Shirt!
• Pizza!

Plus, you’ll get the chance to chat with bassists of all levels, from novice to professional, and meet a wide variety of teachers and performers from metro Chicago. I’ll be there helping to run the event (not sure what I’ll do for a clinic yet… how to get into a top music college program?), so please come and say hi if you’re there!

This event is going to be awesome. You definitely want to be there.

Register Now

38 Ways To Change The World Through Music

Check out WMYA.FM, the weekly podcast from Midwest Young Artists, for more great videos like this!

Video Download Link (170 MB)

• Enhance practice and performance skills
• Expand musical knowledge
• Overcome performance anxiety
• Foster creativity
• Collaborate amicably
• Build music careers
• Boost health and prevent music-related injuries
• Become productive artists

This book looks like a nice complement to David Cutler’s The Savvy Musician, a new book designed to help musicians build entrepreneurial skills that we featured in a recent podcast. We also chatted recently about similar topics with James Knabe, a Chicago-area musician who specializes in developing websites for musicians.

I’ve written many articles about this topic in the past, so you can go spelunking through the blog article archives if you’d like a more in-depth look at this topic, but I think that this list should prove to be, if nothing else, food for thought:

Top 20 Ranked U.S. Schools for Double Bass Study – 2009
doublebassblog.org reader poll

1. The Curtis Institute
2. Rice University
3. Indiana University
4. University of Washington
5. Boston University
6. The Juilliard School
7. Cincinnati College-Conservatory
8. The Colburn School
9. Michigan State University
10. Peabody Conservatory
11. New England Conservatory
12. Carnegie Mellon University
13. Manhattan School of Music
14. Boston Conservatory
15. Eastman School of Music
16. University of Iowa
17. Arizona State University
18. University of Southern California
19. The New School
20. University of North Texas

Download this list:
top ranked double bass schools 2009.pdf

I’ll expand this survey with more schools and do it again in 2010, so stay tuned!

Any thoughts on great schools not on this list? Feel free to leave a comment below.