Klarinet Archive - Posting 001087.txt from 1998/04

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Orchestra auditions
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 13:57:12 -0400

On Mon, 20 Apr 1998, Jonathan Cohler wrote:

> Note, that it didn't ask for teacher recommendations or ANYTHING other
> than a one-page resume!

I don't think I would have regarded submitting a resume as tantamount to
being invited to the audition.

But, actually, it might not have mattered even if your student were a far
better player than anyone else who auditioned, because the system is set
up to try to identify the "best player," but no one can define exactly
what that means. Many auditions are won by someone who is far less
well-suited to the job than the winning candidate. What the auditions
usually manage to identify is the "best auditioner" or "best
excerpt-player," rather than the person who will do the best job in the
long run in the position. The skills and attributes required to be a good
orchestra player are not the same as those required to be a good
auditioner.

Ed Lacy
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Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
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