Klarinet Archive - Posting 000460.txt from 2003/07

From: Sean Osborn <feanor33@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Met Clarinet opening
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2003 11:55:01 -0400

Dear colleagues,

>well if its like anything else here in NY, they already know who they
>want and probably just want to deter too many people from coming.

While many groups in NY do play favorites, the Met audition procedures are
the fairest in the business. The screen is up for the entire audition, so
no one on the committee knows who won until they've already been offered
the job. There is also no discussion allowed between committee members
during the audition, so no one can be intimidated by another member.

>How can they say they're and "Equal Opportunity Employer" if they only let
>the highly qualified apply. That certainly shuts me out.

Yeah, it was just like that unfair hospital that wouldn't let me be a
surgeon, even though I've never done it before.......

>Seriously--if a resume is involved, who evaluates the resumes and on what
>bases? Where the person trained? Conservatory or college background? His
>or her private teachers? Where this person has played before? Direct
>experience with operatic repertoire, and in what level of company? All of
>the above?

Usually, the personel manager makes this decision, sometimes in
consultation with othe members of the section in question. Orchestra
members can also make personal recommendations for a person who has
submitted a resume to be waved through the tape round. I don't know how
many resumes they got, but in 1989, when I won, there were 200 tapes, of
which 30 people were invited with 50 others (put in the live round on the
strength of their resumes) to play a 5 round audition. It took a week.

>I knew about Morales going to Philadelphia. Who's the other
>possibility? Rabbai?

Ricardo is playing in Philly this year. John Manassee won the one-year
position in a local audition last spring. Joe Rabbai announced his
retirement last spring, so they have someone filling in until the
audition. Jim Ognibene is eligible for retirement in a few years, and
Jessica has only been there for two.

Good luck to all who apply,

Sean Osborn

www.geocities.com/osbornmusic
www.mp3.com/metopera/

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