Jim Bowley

The Audition: A First-Hand Account

I walk into the room with my guitar slung around my shoulder. In my hand I have a folder filled with music for the student musicians that would be playing with me in just a few moments. I’m a little nervous. The body of my guitar hits the door on the way in and I think to myself sarcastically, “Oh, that’s a good sign.” I shake everyone’s hand and introduce myself.

Two men are in the room with pads of paper and pens. One man lifts his head up with a smile and says, “Welcome. Just plug into that Polytone. What are you going to play for us?” The other man still has his head buried in the paper. I tell them, as confidently as I can, “’Solar’, ‘Blue Trane’, and ‘Blue in Green’.” Both of the men smile and motion for me to continue. Continue reading “So You Want To Study Music, Part 2: A Guest Blog by Prawit Siriwat” »

I am incredibly proud to post a guest article by one of the brightest young musicians in Harford County – Prawit Siriwat. I’ve known Wit for a few years now and he is easily one of the most driven and dedicated musicians I’ve met, no matter his age. He loves great guitar playing – in any style – and was recently honored as a top finisher in the Harford County Public Schools’ Musical Composition contest.

Wit has just graduated high school and is onto a new adventure as a Jazz guitar major at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City. This has inspired a tremendous piece about the audition process to music school, which we’ll be presenting in two parts. It is a first-hand account of a young musician going through the entire process – choosing and applying to schools, preparing for and performing the audition, and dealing with acceptance and rejection.

Serious young musicians with an eye on music school will get some great insight from Wit’s experiences, and casual musicians will get a taste of the commitment and dedication necessary to score a spot in a top notch music program.

Without further adieu, my friend and fellow guitarist, Mr. Wit Siriwat… Continue reading “So You Want to Study Music: A Guest Blog by Prawit Siriwat” »