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:

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!