Organ Repertoire for Job Interview
  • OrganistRob320OrganistRob320
    Posts: 164
    What would one suggest to play for a job interview which includes playing the organ during the interview process? Over the years I've played a wide variety (Bach to Howells) and am just wondering what others have played or would suggest.
    Thanks!
  • Marc Cerisier
    Posts: 537
    Having been an interviewer on a few occasions recently, I would suggest how you play it is more important than what you play. I hate it when someone plays a piece to try to impress, but just doesn't quite make music with it.

    The biggest disappointment I've had has been in the sight-reading area. We always give potential candidates the music for the upcoming weekend and ask that they play it. It's astonishing how many can play prepared music so beautifully but struggle with a mass setting unfamiliar to them.
    Thanked by 4M. Jackson Osborn CHGiffen ContraBombarde BruceL
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,414
    Don't TRY to impress... ESPEScially with a lot of noise! This is, actually, unimpressive.
    Choose some Bach that you paly with poetic authority.
    Ditto with one or two things of different eras, before and after, and finally, play someting modern (NOT the merely contemporary! But the truly MODERN.)
    Play hymns in a variety of registrations, and putting the cantus firmus in one or more voices other than the soprano. Improvise a voluntary on a processional hymn tune.
    Demonstrate your skill accompanying choirs singing an anthem by Howells, Britten, Gibbons, etc. (This is one of the most crucial of all abilities.)
    If you are asked to sight read, you may impress by playing the example as written and then going into varied registrations and harmonisations, and, even, improvisation. (Don't do this unless you are GOOD at it, and CONFIDENT about it.)
    The bottom line is: except when the organ is performing solo, your job is to inspire people to sing, and to sing poetically through the use of creative registration which draws attention to, complements, the vagaries of the given text.

    Sight reading???? Practice, practice, practice.... be ready, ready, ready!.....in wierd keys!
    Transposing??? Ditto......................!!!

    Be able to sing a piece with poetry and confidence.
    Be able to sing psalms with style and grace to the gregorian psalm tones (and KNOW what they ARE!.......ALL of them).

    I've left some things out... others can add to what a aspirant Organist-Choirmaster should as a matter of course know. The first and last requirements are that his music making is pure poetry.

    P.S. -
    Be able to sing the notes
    that are round and the notes that are square with equal facility and grace.
    Put your best foot, face, and demeanor forward. Never be sheepish or apologise for yourself. But do so with genuine humility and character.
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen ContraBombarde
  • francis
    Posts: 10,824
    Please dont play widors fifth
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen Casavant Organist
  • GavinGavin
    Posts: 2,799
    At my last audition, I played Dupre's "Placare Christe Servulis". It's flashy, but most importantly, SHORT!
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,979
    I know someone who was hired because he played Widor's fifth. Protestant church, of course, but it was a favorite of the congregation and they expected to hear it often.
  • francis
    Posts: 10,824
    Yes, CW. IMHO, Those churches tend to value performance more than anything else. When I get the request for such, I tell them to come to my next organ recital. Otherwise, all theatrical stunts stay far away from the liturgy. There are a lot of theatrical organ compositions. Even Bach's D min T&F I leave soley for the concert venue.
  • PaixGioiaAmorPaixGioiaAmor
    Posts: 1,473
    If Ratzinger turned Benedict XVI could have THE Bach toccata in D minor as his processional music, I figure almost anything instrumental is appropriate for the liturgy.
  • ronkrisman
    Posts: 1,394
    Perhaps he'd never seen any of those Vincent Price movies and did not make the associations that some of us do.
    Thanked by 1CharlesW
  • francis
    Posts: 10,824
    PGA

    NEVER base what is 'appropriate for liturgy' on what you see/hear at a papal celebration. Instead, follow the rubrics and norms of tradition.

    Eg., I think I once saw a video of "culturally correct" African women at one of the papal masses celebrated by JPII. Imagine.
    Thanked by 1Andrew Motyka
  • PaixGioiaAmorPaixGioiaAmor
    Posts: 1,473
    Oh I know Francis. But this wasn't foisted on a pope who didn't realize it would happen. He picked it himself.
  • francis
    Posts: 10,824
    Did JP have prior knowledge of that action?

    I guess that makes my point that things foisted and voluntary inappropriately occur at papal liturgies.
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,979
    There are no perfect liturgies this side of Heaven, and there never will be.
  • francis
    Posts: 10,824
    CW

    Not true! I went to a few at the CMAA colloquium a few years ago-most beautiful. And I also went to a Triduum celebrated in the TLM at St. Alphonsus in Baltimore back in the early 2000's - that was also perfect.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,979
    I am sure they were wonderful, but not perfect, if what the Church maintains is true. Perfection exists in heaven, not on earth.
  • Mark HuseyMark Husey
    Posts: 192
    I don't have any problems with Widor Toccata, especially if that's what a search committee or pastor wants to hear. What music do you have memorized? How are your improv chops? How does what you play fold seamlessly into a liturgy? And can you cadence on a dime: can you create a graceful end to your organ voluntary when the priest is through with his lavabo?
  • matthewjmatthewj
    Posts: 2,700
    When I've assisted with hiring committees in the past (at neighbouring parishes), I've always suggested having candidates play/sing/conduct an actual Mass. It gives you a much bigger picture of how they play than a simple audition.
    Thanked by 3irishtenor Adam Wood Casavant Organist
  • G
    Posts: 1,400
    [play] with poetic authority


    MJO, this is simpl;y a lovely turn of phrase.

    (Save the Liturgy, Save the World)
  • irishtenoririshtenor
    Posts: 1,325
    I agree with Matthew--it is best to hear the candidates prepare for and play for an actual liturgy. Our skills are best seen and demonstrated in the wild, not in an audition situation.
  • marajoymarajoy
    Posts: 783
    I think it would be extremely rare to have points deducted for playing something like the widor...the vast majority if auditions IMHE are done in front of people who have little or no musical training, and playing something that is remotely recognizable (to them) can only positively affect you. Just keep it short and flashy and not too "intense" (probably no Messiaen...)
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,193
    not too "intense" (probably no Messiaen...)

    Alas, so much forMesse de la Pentecôte, L'ascension or La Nativité du Seigneur.
  • PaixGioiaAmorPaixGioiaAmor
    Posts: 1,473
    A priest who was to interview me once said "When you come in, could you be prepared to play "Canon in D," and play and sing Schubert's "Ave Maria," and the Sanctus from "Mass of Creation."
    Thanked by 3Jahaza BruceL Casavant Organist
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,482
    It's been several years since I last auditioned for a Catholic MD job.
    After I did my prepared stuff (piano, BTW) I was asked if I could play some Gospel music.
    I did not get that job.
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