William Fitzpatrick - violin expert

The Many Stories of Bill Fitzpatrick: Aspen Audition

How Prof. Fitzpatrick prepared for an audition

In this second video of a new series of short videos titled "The Many Stories of Bill Fitzpatrick," Prof. Fitzpatrick tells you how he approached his first audition at the Aspen Music Festival in 1971.

Released on October 13, 2021

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DISCLAIMER: The views and the opinions expressed in this video are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Virtual Sheet Music and its employees.

Video Transcription

It was 1971, and this was my first audition at the Aspen Music Festival. I was very nervous, so I decided to read quartets with my Nashville friend, Lenny, and some students, to calm myself down. We read this particularly difficult last movement of a Haydn quartet, and when we finished, I decided to look at it more carefully. The next day in my audition, I played part of my Tchaikovsky concerto, and then the music director, Jorge Mester, placing some music on my stand said with a twinkle in his eye, "Read this." I looked at the music, and sure enough, it was the same movement I had looked at the night before. So I thought, "Should I tell him?" Then I thought, "No." I got the highest chair a student could get in the festival orchestra, fourth chair in the first violin section.
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Comments, Questions, Requests:

Eugenie Van Zyl * VSM MEMBER * on October 13, 2021 @6:51 am PST
I like you, Professor Fitzpatrick, because you are just so honest and a no fuss person! 😃😃
And I will always remember when you told us on one of your videos how you got your vibrato - In your sleep. My personal opinion - That was a God thing!🙌
reply
William - host, on November 20, 2021 @2:08 am PST
Thanks! I try very hard to be honest !
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