 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2006-05-24 04:18
The audition is still going on. At least one candidate played for the selectors yesterday.
They had over 200 applicants and issued an intimidating audition packages --with entire parts included, not just the exposed parts and solos.
Bob Phillips
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Author: J. J.
Date: 2006-05-25 01:42
Just her and Andrea Levine, principal in the Louisville Orchestra.
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Author: clairannette
Date: 2006-05-25 02:42
Rob Woolfrey and Jonathan Gunn were also in the finals but did not play with the orchestra.
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Author: Bradley
Date: 2006-05-25 04:07
Rob Woolfrey is a fantastic player. He's someone to watch in the future.
Bradley
Post Edited (2006-12-23 18:33)
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2006-05-25 19:34
Can someone give me a better sense of the timeline for the Fort Worth audition?
A colleague of mine was down there for his audition just a few days ago, yet it seems as though the orchestra had already chosed "finalists" AND had time to bring them in to work with the orchestra.
It seems strange to me that they would have chosen finalists before screening all of the candidates. Alternately, if they'd found knock-em dead "finalists" that they would have gone through the motions of bringing in the remaining candidates.
This whole professional orchestra player audition practice seems very strange to me.
Bob Phillips
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Author: bufclar
Date: 2006-05-25 20:03
Bob,
I to wonder about this audition in particular. I had some friends apply to take this audition and they were turned down. I can understand that peoples resumes can be more or less attractive...... None of my friends have been in a pro orchestra (as a full time member) or New World but they do have degrees from top music schools, professional playing experience, a history of advancing in auditions, and big name teachers on their resumes. Two in particular using the same resume as they sent to FT. Worth were given an audition to Buffalo, South Carolina, Millwauke and Millitary Bands. Now maybe Ft Worth is some great orchestra that can have high standards such as a New York or Chicago....but I seriously doubt it. I would be suprised if the orchestra plays as well as Dallas symphony.
It just seems some what shady to me. Congrats to those who auditioned succsessfuly. Seems like the finalist pool were all very qualified but I just don't understand the way this one was run. It just goes to show that some orchestras already know who they want before even having the audition. They just have the audition "just in case" and to keep the music union happy. It seems that this orchestra did not do a good job creating the illusion of fairness.
Post Edited (2006-05-25 20:18)
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Author: J. J.
Date: 2006-05-25 21:50
As far as how the audition was run, there wasn't anything unordinary about it. The audition information went out months ago, and people submitted resumes. Many people were turned down for this one (more than typical, yes), but they still brought around 40 candidates on Monday for the preliminary round.
To the best of my understanding, they held a typical first round and then a semifinal round on Monday. Now, some people who eventually ended up in the top four did not have to play the preliminary round based on their prestigious positions elsewhere. That's standard practice, particularly for principal positions. At any rate, the finals (or further rounds) were held Tuesday, part of which was playing with the orchestra. At that point they chose a candidate.
Now what's odd or confusing about that?
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Author: J. J.
Date: 2006-05-25 22:17
Now as far as the selection of resumes went, I honestly don't have a problem with how it was determined, and this is why:
It all centers around the fact that this was for a principal position. Not having held a professional orchestra job is a big question mark, because it's a very hard job in which chances can't really be taken. The ability to play well enough to win the job doesn't mean you have the experience necessary to play principal week after week.
This job in particular is difficult because Fort Worth competes with Dallas on a regular basis, but doesn't have an associate principal position. The principal will likely plan an enitre concert, making it necessary to have proven you can handle a large volume of repertoire.
I submitted a resume and was rejected. I was, of course, offended at first because I have a background similar to the friends bufclar described. But after cooling down, I realized that they have the right to be selective with their principal players.
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Author: steve s
Date: 2006-05-26 02:32
sounds like a pretty rough way to make a living, much less a life...
s.
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Author: nielsen57
Date: 2006-05-26 02:49
When it comes to these auditions, you have to allow all the little ego-pinching stuff to roll off your back. Yeah, I received my Fort Worth rejection letter just a couple of days before I flew off to San Fran for their principal clarinet audition, and I think most would agree that San Fran would have to be considered the superior orchestra. But each orchestra conducts their auditions differently, and that's their perogative. You might make it to the finals for a top tier group only to be ousted after the prelims for a per service gig. Shrug your shoulders, chock it up to experience, and go practice.
Little side note: I have heard of a few cases where, upon receiving a rejection letter, the individual called the personnel manager to plead his/her case, and winded up be allowed to audition. In one such case, the person made it all the way to the final two. A little persistence can go a long way.
meg
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2006-05-26 03:44
>Little side note: I have heard of a few cases where, upon receiving a rejection letter, the individual called the personnel manager to plead his/her case, and winded up be allowed to audition. <
It seems to me that's the story of how Joseph Robinson got his (former) Principal Oboe position with the NY Philharmonic.
But does that kind of thing still happen?
Susan
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Author: Fontalvo
Date: 2006-05-26 16:48
Actually, I have also heard of a cases where people that were rejected acutually won the audition. Your resume is helpful. But what happens if you all of a sudden start working hard and practicing. Should your past determine your future???? Just something to think about.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2006-05-26 17:02
Fontalvo wrote:
> Should your past determine your future????
Whether or not it should, it always affects it. I think "detrmine" is much too strong a word.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-05-26 17:15
"influences" might be a better word (?).
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: nielsen57
Date: 2006-05-26 20:46
>>Little side note: I have heard of a few cases where, upon receiving a rejection letter, the individual called the personnel manager to plead his/her case, and winded up be allowed to audition. <
It seems to me that's the story of how Joseph Robinson got his (former) Principal Oboe position with the NY Philharmonic.
But does that kind of thing still happen?<
The specific case I'm thinking of involved one of my grad school colleagues (a fantastic player). The audition was for Indianopolis, and based on his resume (and not surprisingly as he was still in school at the time), he received a rejection letter. He called the personnel manager, and I believe his teacher put in a phone call as well, and he managed to get an invitation. Made it all the way to the final two (they didn't pick a winner). I think it was only about 6 months after that that he won his first job.
meg
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