Posted by m (se) on April 22, 2001 at 10:39:22:
In Reply to: Orchestral Audition Committee Myths posted by Jay Bertolet on April 22, 2001 at 10:01:09:
Good comments, Jay. No, it doesn't pay much (if any) money to be on the audition committee. It is, however, part of the larger job to partcipate on the committee when required. Committee participation is, as you state, a huge responsibility. It is also a task that is part of the job, part of the privilege of orchestra membership. Certainly, players must audition and earn the opportunity to join an orchestra. Along with that job comes obligations to the listening public and to the orchestra colleagues. Committee participation is one of those obligations. The objective: to find the most qualified musician/player for the job, in order to maintain and hopefully improve the quality of the ensemble, which in turn better serves the listening public. The process: auditions, by either tape and/or live audition. Yes, listening to tapes is a blessing, for all the reasons you state. And part of listening to taped and live auditions is hearing players who are not qualified for the job.
Good luck with the upcoming horn auditions with the FPO. Your attitude and approach assures that you will find the best player for the job.