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[Tim Boyer]

I've seen this "solo" required on several audition lists, but I'm not entirely sure which excerpt it is referring to.
The minor excerpt?
The first major excerpt (sans tuba), or the second time?
Of course, I'm preparing all of them, but I'd feel more confident knowing which is which.

[Matt K]

Often it's pickups to 6 until 3 after 7.  At least many of the lists I've looked at indicated that.

[blast]

THERE IS NO 'SOLO' IN THE RIDE.

Chris Stearn

[ronkny]

THERE IS NO 'SOLO' IN THE RIDE.

Chris Stearn

The bass trumpet solo?  Otherwise Soli's.

[BGuttman]

They are most likely after the section that Matt mentioned.  It's a soli.  At some point in the opera just about everybody in the orchestra plays it.

Big problem is the rhythm.  Too many players play it not as dotted eighth - sixteenth - eighth, but as quarter - sixteenth - sixteenth.  You have to learn that rhythm, which my original teacher called "Amsterdam".

[ronkny]

They are most likely after the section that Matt mentioned.  It's a soli.  At some point in the opera just about everybody in the orchestra plays it.

Big problem is the rhythm.  Too many players play it not as dotted eighth - sixteenth - eighth, but as quarter - sixteenth - sixteenth.  You have to learn that rhythm, which my original teacher called "Amsterdam".

There's some you tube videos of symphony players discussing the rhythm too. It's not as easy as it looks.

[Tim Boyer]

I understand that, technically speaking, there is no "solo" in the Ride.  However, there is more than one audition list out there that simply asks for the solo from the Ride of the Valkyries. 
I realize that the famous minor, and 2 different Major passages are soli moments (and glorious soli moments at that).  I am merely looking for clarification as to what this "solo" excerpt might be. 
It seems my best bet would be to contact a representative from the ensemble and ask for specifics.   

[blast]

I understand that, technically speaking, there is no "solo" in the Ride.  However, there is more than one audition list out there that simply asks for the solo from the Ride of the Valkyries. 
I realize that the famous minor, and 2 different Major passages are soli moments (and glorious soli moments at that).  I am merely looking for clarification as to what this "solo" excerpt might be. 
It seems my best bet would be to contact a representative from the ensemble and ask for specifics.   

It is a little disturbing if you find that you are auditioning for idiots.... and there seems to be evidence to suggest this. The issues with this section of the opera are usually down to the conductor and their odd ideas about how that passage should be played.... I've had all sorts of rubbish. Make sure that the first beat in the bar of the melodic line gets the emphasis and just play what is written.

Chris Stearn.

[JP]

I am guessing the OP is misunderstanding the request of the people who are doing the auditioning.

I would suggest he/she sign up for lessons with a private instructor who has experience in not only teaching the excerpts (not "solos") from orchestral/opera repertoire, but also preparing for auditions on the same.

Many qualified instructors are out there: active professional performers, retired performers, and experienced teachers. Seek their advice, do not try to understand it from "googling" or backroom discussions with inexperienced musicians. Also learn from listening, not once, twice, but for hours upon hours, live and recorded.

Experience matters, especially in the professional music world. Seek it and learn from it.

[Tim Boyer]

Guys...I just graduated with a degree in music.  I've been studying this excerpt for years.  I've even had a modicum of professional success playing this excerpt at auditions.  I'm not looking for tips on how to prepare the excerpt - 1. Wagner clearly indicated what he wanted in the music itself 2. If I'm looking for tips on how to prepare the excerpt I'll listen to the excerpt CD's of Ralph Sauer, Gene Pokorny, Michael Mulcahy, the Markey/Pollard excerpt CD.

Here is an example of an audition list that asks for the solo from Ride of the Valkyries:
http://hpac-orc.jp/eng/auditions/2012/2012%20Audition%20Repertoire%20List.pdf

Maybe I was unclear in my previous posts.  All I'm trying to do is figure out specifically which excerpt (of the 3 in the Ride: minor, 1st Major and 2nd Major passages) might they mean by solo.  Odds are they want the 1st major excerpt, as Matt K. suggested above.  When it comes to auditions, I don't like guessing about specifics, so my solution to all this hubbub will be to ask the ensemble providing the audition list.  For those interested, I will posted their response.

[blast]

Sorry Tim, This sort of question usually comes from school kids who have a job thinking for themselves. It was put as a general question, not specific to the list that you have now provided, so came across that way. You have answered your own question... check with the auditioning body. That seems to be their only non-specific excerpt so it is odd.
Glad you have had some success with this already. It's made a few pennies for me over the years... in whichever of the many ways I've been asked to play it.

Chris Stearn.

[Matt K]

Yeah, I've seen many lists that say something along the lines of:

"Wagner - Ride: Major solo"
or
"Valkyeries - Solo"

Quite ambiguous 

[vegasbound]

Could it be solo---as in on your own, not in a section... as a suggestion to the audition panel and was the word solo included in thread by mistake?

just a thought on reading the list!

[sanfranboner]

Tim, just in case you haven't already - do make sure you have the opening bass trumpet solo down (reh. #3 of the 1st tbn. part in the concert version) if the list does not specify which passages.  I learned that one the hard way!!

(modified for clarity)

[JBledsoe]

I've never seen the word solo used in an American audition, but with the list you posted, I'm assuming that is a translation error.