Klarinet Archive - Posting 001351.txt from 1998/04

From: Jennifer Rose McKenna <jrm0013@-----.edu>
Subj: re: audition tapes
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 19:29:10 -0400

i didnt audition for an orchestra, but i did audition for school on the
basis of a tape, and later auditioned in person. i was reject on the tape,
but accepted on the live audition...i don't know what this has to do with
anything but..

jenn :)

On Thu, 23 Apr 1998, Ginsuransom wrote:

> Dear Jonathan:
>
> Now I am even more confused. Until you posted this I thought you were
> vehemently arguing that everyone and anyone should be permitted to audition
> live. Now it seems you are including a taped audition as acceptable? By
> the way, did you happen to ask the personnel manager of the BSO what
> percentage of tapes received are actually invited to the audition? My guess
> would be 10%, at the most. I know of several recent clarinet auditions for
> major orchestras where the rate was much lower, around 3% of the tapes being
> invited. Hate to tell you, but your student (or anyone) would have a MUCH
> BETTER chance of being invited to an audition on the basis or his/her resume
> than they would on the basis of a tape. And I state that without knowing
> what their resume says, or how their tape sounds.
>
> I think audition tapes are simply a cop-out, a way for the orchestras to
> justify not having to hear everyone who wants to audition. I think an
> interesting survey to undertake (and one that I believe would really help
> bolster your argument in favor of giving everyone an opportunity) would be
> to see how many players in major orchestras won their auditions after having
> their tapes rejected (or, for that matter, having their resumes rejected)- I
> think everyone would be surprised at how high that number is.
>
> Gary Ginstling
> Los Angeles, CA
> ginsuransom@-----.net
>
> On 23 Apr you wrote:
>
> Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 10:58:37 -0400
> From: Jonathan Cohler <cohler@-----.net>
> Subject: Boston Symphony Audition procedure
>
> I just spoke with the personnel manager of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
> As I had said before, nobody is rejected based on resume alone.
>
> Everyone who sends in a resume by the deadline date, is either invited to
> play a live audition, or to submit a tape for consideration.
>
> Yes, I know that a tape is not an ideal audition vehicle, but it is most
> certainly much better than a resume. You can for example, discern whether
> or not a person is playing in rhythm and in tune (even on a poor quality
> tape). Furthermore, the BSO gives careful instructions on how to make the
> tape so that it is high quality and provide a good representation of the
> sound.
>

   
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