We Try Getting into the Best Music School in the World

TwoSetViolin

23 Apr 202217:39

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this engaging video script, a group of aspiring musicians visit the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, known for its selectivity and high-caliber graduates. Despite a previous setback at the Menuhin Competition, they decide to audition for the institute, showcasing their skills in pieces like the Sibelius and Mendelssohn Violin Concertos. The script follows their journey through auditions, receiving feedback from faculty, and exploring the institute's facilities, including practice rooms, a library, and a violin shop. The students also interact with a former student who shares her experiences. The narrative is filled with humor, camaraderie, and a shared passion for music, ending with the anticipation of the audition results, leaving viewers inspired and hopeful for the future of these dedicated musicians.

Takeaways

🎓 The Curtis Institute of Music is recognized as one of the best music schools in the world due to its selectivity and the high caliber of musicians it produces.
🚫 The characters in the script attempted the Menuhin Competition but were not successful in advancing to the next round.
🎻 Despite the setback, they decided to audition at Curtis Institute of Music to pursue their dreams of becoming professional musicians.
❄️ The weather in Philadelphia is described as being very cold during their visit.
🙅‍♀️ The audition results for the characters were unfortunately not positive, with the decision being a 'no' for their admission.
🎼 They received constructive feedback on their performances, focusing on bowing techniques, dynamic contrasts, and intonation.
🏫 The Curtis Institute of Music is depicted as a place rich in history and tradition, with a strong sense of community among its students.
📚 The school offers extensive resources, including a vast library and a violin repair shop on-site.
🏡 The new building of the institute features practice rooms, dorms, and a common room with amenities like ping pong, pool, and board games.
🤔 The student-to-faculty ratio at Curtis is intimate, with only around 155 students, which allows for personalized attention and a focus on each student's development.
⏰ The characters express a strong desire to be part of the Curtis community and are eager to hear the results of their auditions, indicating the high regard they hold for the institution.

Q & A

Where are the characters located at the beginning of the script?
-The characters are in Philadelphia at the Curtis Institute of Music.
What is the significance of the Curtis Institute of Music in the context of the script?
-The Curtis Institute of Music is portrayed as one of the best music schools in the world, known for its selectivity and the quality of musicians it produces.
What was the initial plan of the characters after their Menuhin Competition attempt?
-After their unsuccessful attempt at the Menuhin Competition, the characters decided to audition for the Curtis Institute of Music to pursue their dreams.
How did the characters feel about their audition at the Curtis Institute of Music?
-The characters felt nervous and unsure about their performance, with some expressing that they played poorly and were nervous during the audition.
What does Hannah offer to do for Eddy and Brett after their audition?
-Hannah offers to show Eddy and Brett around the Curtis Institute of Music.
What is the role of Erin in the script?
-Erin appears to be a faculty member or a senior student at the Curtis Institute of Music who provides feedback and gives a short lesson to Eddy and Brett after their audition.
What is the general feedback given by Erin regarding bow distribution and dynamics?
-Erin suggests thinking more about bow distribution to create a longer line in the piece, starting with a true piano dynamic, and varying the bow speed and weight in sequences for more expression.
What is the specific advice given by Benjamin to the student regarding the Sibelius Violin Concerto?
-Benjamin advises the student to think about the emotional markings in the piece, such as 'mezzoforte', 'dolce', and 'espressivo', and to maintain a solid beat despite the hushed orchestra part. He also mentions the importance of inner pulse and a consistent vibrato.
What is the atmosphere like at the Curtis Institute of Music according to the script?
-The atmosphere is depicted as prestigious, historical, and inspiring, with a strong sense of community and numerous facilities such as practice rooms, a library, a repair shop, and common areas for relaxation.
What is the final outcome of the characters' auditions?
-The final outcome of the auditions is not favorable for the characters, as they are informed that the level of auditions was high and there is no space for them, but they are encouraged to try again in the future.
What is the approximate number of students at Curtis Institute of Music, as mentioned in the script?
-The approximate number of students at Curtis Institute of Music mentioned in the script is around 155.

Outlines

00:00

🎵 Audition Day at Curtis Institute of Music

The video opens with a lively and enthusiastic greeting from the presenters who are in Philadelphia at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music. They express their admiration for the institute's reputation and the caliber of musicians it produces. Despite a previous unsuccessful attempt at the Menuhin Competition, they decide to audition at Curtis to pursue their musical dreams. The presenters engage in a friendly conversation with the admissions staff, perform for the audition, and receive feedback. The video captures their experience, the nervous anticipation, and the eventual outcome of their auditions.

05:00

📚 Masterclass and Musical Insights at Curtis

The second paragraph transitions into an impromptu lesson with Erin, a faculty member at Curtis, in the historic Zimbalist Room filled with memorabilia. Erin provides constructive feedback on bow distribution, dynamic contrast, and the importance of a consistent contact point on the fingerboard for intonation. She also emphasizes the need for a clear rhythmic structure, particularly with triplets, and the importance of engaging the whole arm in playing. The lesson concludes with a discussion on the emotional markings in the music and maintaining a steady pulse throughout the performance.

10:01

🏫 Exploring the Curtis Institute's Facilities

The third paragraph showcases a tour of the Curtis Institute led by Hannah, a student at the institute. The tour includes a look at the old building, the new building with additional practice rooms, dormitories, and a library. The presenters express awe at the convenience and resources available to students, including a violin shop on campus for repairs. They also discuss the intimate size of the institute, which allows for a tight-knit community and frequent performances. The tour ends with a visit to Gould Hall, where the Curtis Orchestra rehearses, and a look at the practice rooms.

15:01

❄️ The Audition Results and Future Prospects

The final paragraph reveals the outcome of the presenters' auditions. Despite their hopes and the positive experience at Curtis, they are informed that the level of competition was high, and there is no space for them this year. The faculty encourages them to try again in the future. The presenters express their disappointment but remain hopeful and grateful for the experience. The video ends with a look at the common room and recreational facilities at Curtis, highlighting the balance between rigorous practice and leisure time for students.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Curtis Institute of Music

The Curtis Institute of Music is a prestigious conservatory located in Philadelphia, renowned for its selectivity and the high caliber of musicians it produces. In the video, it is the setting where the characters aspire to study and audition, signifying their dedication and the pursuit of excellence in music.

💡Audition

An audition is a live performance by an artist to demonstrate their skills, often as part of an application process for a school, job, or competition. In the script, auditioning is central to the narrative as characters attempt to gain admission to the Curtis Institute of Music, showcasing their talent and nerves in a high-pressure situation.

💡Menuhin Competition

The Menuhin Competition is an international violin competition for young violinists. Mentioned in the script, it represents a significant event in the world of classical music where the characters previously participated but did not advance, motivating them to try again at Curtis.

💡Bowing Technique

Bowing technique refers to the way a string instrument player uses the bow to create sound. It is a critical aspect of violin performance. In the video, the characters receive feedback on their bowing, emphasizing the importance of varied bow pressure and speed to achieve a more expressive performance.

💡Dynamics

Dynamics in music denote the volume at which a piece or a section of music is to be played, ranging from very soft (piano) to very loud (forte). The script discusses dynamics as part of the feedback given to the characters, highlighting the need for more contrast and the importance of starting at the correct dynamic level.

💡Contact Point

The contact point on a string instrument is where the bow touches the string. Varying this can affect the tone quality. In the script, the characters are advised to adjust their contact point to create a more varied and nuanced sound, which is crucial for musical expression.

💡Intonation

Intonation refers to the accuracy of pitch in music. Good intonation is essential for a pleasing musical performance. The script includes a discussion about intonation, particularly in relation to the characters' audition pieces, emphasizing the need for precision and tuning.

💡Rhythm

Rhythm is the pattern of sound, silence, and emphasis in music. It is a fundamental component of musical expression. In the video, rhythmic accuracy is discussed as a key element in the characters' performances, with a focus on maintaining a steady pulse and clear rhythmic structure.

💡Legato and Vibrato

Legato refers to the smooth and connected phrasing in music, while vibrato is a technique of oscillating pitch to add warmth and expression. These techniques are mentioned in the script as areas for improvement in the characters' violin playing, indicating the complexity of violin technique and the quest for a rich, expressive sound.

💡Orchestra

An orchestra is a large instrumental ensemble that plays classical music, typically consisting of string, woodwind, brass, and percussion sections. The script alludes to the orchestra when discussing the characters' auditions, as they are expected to blend well with an orchestral setting, which is a common performance context for classical musicians.

💡Music School

A music school is an educational institution focused on the study and practice of music. The Curtis Institute of Music, as mentioned in the script, is an example of a music school that provides specialized training at a high level. The characters' desire to attend such an institution underscores the significance of professional training in the pursuit of a career in music.

Highlights

The Curtis Institute of Music is recognized as one of the best music schools in the world, known for its selectivity and the quality of musicians it produces.

The individuals decided to audition at Curtis to fulfill their dreams of musical excellence, despite a previous unsuccessful attempt at the Menuhin Competition.

The cold weather in Philadelphia is emphasized, indicating the environmental conditions during the auditions.

Benjamin chose to play the Sibelius Violin Concerto for his audition, showcasing his musical selection.

The audition feedback indicates that despite their efforts, the participants did not make it to the next round.

Hannah, a past student, offers a tour of the Curtis Institute, providing insight into the school's facilities and history.

The tour includes a look at the practice rooms, highlighting their size and the ambiance for students to practice in.

Erin provides a detailed critique and lesson on bow distribution, dynamic contrast, and finger angle to improve violin technique.

The importance of tuning and intonation is discussed, with specific advice given to correct flat notes in the audition piece.

Erin emphasizes the need for a solid beat and inner pulse in the performance, even when the orchestra part is soft.

The auditioners are encouraged to embody the emotional markings of the piece, including 'mezzoforte', 'dolce', and 'espressivo'.

The importance of legato and vibrato in both the right and left hands is highlighted during the feedback.

The rhythmic clarity of triplets is discussed, with advice on how to distinguish them from sixteenth notes.

Erin points out the need for a soft accent on specific notes, as marked by the composer, to honor the piece's intentions.

The auditioners are given advice on engaging the forearm and elbow for a better bow stroke.

The final critique involves making the transition for the orchestra's entrance easier and ensuring a shocking 'subito piano'.

The Curtis Institute's facilities are showcased, including a violin shop, library, and comfortable student dorms.

The small size of the institute, with around 155 students, is emphasized, noting the rarity of certain instrument specializations.

The students' common room and recreational facilities are highlighted, showing the balance between practice and leisure at Curtis.

The audition results are announced, with the participants unfortunately not being accepted, but encouraged to reapply.

Transcripts

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Takeaways

Q & A

Where are the characters located at the beginning of the script?

What is the significance of the Curtis Institute of Music in the context of the script?

What was the initial plan of the characters after their Menuhin Competition attempt?

How did the characters feel about their audition at the Curtis Institute of Music?

What does Hannah offer to do for Eddy and Brett after their audition?

What is the role of Erin in the script?

What is the general feedback given by Erin regarding bow distribution and dynamics?

What is the specific advice given by Benjamin to the student regarding the Sibelius Violin Concerto?

What is the atmosphere like at the Curtis Institute of Music according to the script?

What is the final outcome of the characters' auditions?

What is the approximate number of students at Curtis Institute of Music, as mentioned in the script?