John Williams’s Orchestral Music and Auditions

[russiantuba]

I got called to do another concert with a very good “ highway” orchestra. I’ve done work here several times this season and in the past, and one of the pieces is the John Williams Star Wars suite (the opening theme). Also Mars from the planets (waiting to hear if I have to cover the tenor tuba solo) and Dvorak 9 finale (I was given a part, still waiting to hear as well). This is a one rehearsal and concert deal.

I’ve said this about John Williams’s orchestral music—it is hard, and tests the performer. I saw the “Overture to the Cowboys” on the SLSO list.

Besides copyright issues, I don’t understand why his music isn’t on more lists. Just stuff out of this suite could show the facility, articulation, rhythmic accuracy, etc. etc of an applicant and make it easy from the other side of the screen. I have not made it or had sightreading at auditions, so I can’t say for sure if this is often included. This goes for a lot of his music.

(And before anyone says standard repertoire, I would argue that his works probably gets programmed as often as Meistersinger, if not more).

[bloke]

With all the “antifa“ rhetoric (and I’m not commenting further on that), i’m not seeing much Wagner programmed, these days.

Yes.
A couple of Williams movie tune excerpts should be on audition lists.

[matt g]

The main theme from SW is definitely a comprehensive workout on the tuba.

Most lists are just xeroxed based on tradition.

[jtm]

The Dallas Winds did a whole concert of John Williams music a couple weeks ago, and the tuba players looked like they were having a great time. The high woodwinds were amazing, but it really didn't look like as much fun for them as for the brass players.

The band I'm in now (pay to play, as bloke would say) specializes in movie music, and we're lucky that (1) there seem to be lots of good wind arrangements of John Williams movie music, and (2) the tuba parts are entertaining.