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 Pro Ensembles
Author: Tyler 
Date:   2005-10-13 02:27

Usually, what are the eligibility requirements for auditions to get into like a secondary, smaller-city orchestra or symphony? Or if anyone knows of any professional bands or orchestras which haven't had auditions yet and that play around the Kansas City area (on the Missouri side), I would find that information helpful. Thank you!

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 Re: Pro Ensembles
Author: Katrina 
Date:   2005-10-13 03:58

I think you need to play well to get into any pro ensemble, small-town or otherwise...

Katrina

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 Re: Pro Ensembles
Author: TonkaToy 
Date:   2005-10-13 13:29

What Katrina said.

My first job out of grad school was with what I believe the ASOL designates as a Metropolitan orchestra (I could be wrong). We gave 8 pairs of subscription concerts, several Pops concerts, 4 or 5 Young Peoples concerts, and played for the ballet and opera performances.

It was a per-service gig and in total maybe paid 15K a year.

There were 70 people there for the audition.

I considered myself incredibly lucky to win the audition.

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 Re: Pro Ensembles
Author: BG 2017
Date:   2005-10-14 03:24

Try clicking on the website: www.ropaweb.org

This will list about 62 member orchestras which, for the most part, are for cities smaller than those which have the major symphony orchestras.

ROPA stands for Regional Orchestra Players' Association.

These orchestras usually list open positions in the International Musician newsletter, which is put out by the A F of M (American Federation of Musicians) union. These auditions are then conducted anonymously behind a screen or curtain, and consist of a required warm-up solo, the "standard" repertoire for that instrument, and probably some sight-reading if you are fortunate enough to advance into the final rounds.

Probably not a good idea to go for one of these positions unless you have spent a great deal of time preparing the excerpts to a point where you can nail all of them consistently. Because if you can't, there will be many, many others there who can. A lot of players could probably occupy the chair and do a great job, but only the one who is the very best on that particular day will win the chair. After that, they still go through the obligatory trial period, usually one or two years, before they are granted tenure. Then you are evaluated at every rehearsal and performance by your peers, section principal, conductor, audience, board of trustees, etc. What do you think now?

Best of luck to you! I did not intend to discourage you at all, but hope that my comments may provide a realistic viewpoint of what it takes.

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 Re: Pro Ensembles
Author: EEBaum 
Date:   2005-10-14 15:15

A good word from a reputable player in the ensemble may sometimes get you onto the sub list (though a bad first rehearsal will likely get you right back off).

-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com

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 Re: Pro Ensembles
Author: Ralph Katz 
Date:   2005-10-15 10:51

There was an interesting article about smaller orchestras in the last "International Musician" - what they call "driving for dollars" orchestras.

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