Posted by New Yorker on November 03, 2003 at 21:43:56:
Many readers of this board are curious about the results of the New York Philharmonic audition. After a lengthy conversation with a commitee member, I can shed some light on what has gone on so far, and what remains in this process.
First, on each day of the prelims and in the semi-finals, the commitee consisted of 11 NY Phil brass players only.
There were 130+ player heard in 6 days of prelims and 40+ tapes. The total was 176. From this, by live audition and tape, 18 players were advanced to the semis, which took place Wednesday, October 29 through Friday, October 31. The list of the 18 has been discuss elsewhere on this board. The rep list in the prelims was limited to 7 excerpts to be played on C tuba only. The commitee chose to do this for travel convenience.
In the semi-finals, players were asked excerpts from the full audition list. If the players successfully played through the list, they were than asked to play 6 excerpts with the trombone section. The excerpts included sight reading from standard rep.
On Wednesday, 4 players were heard. Of these, Pete Link of the Chicago Civic Orchestra and Chris Olka of the Seattle Symphony were asked to play with the section. Each played through all 6 excerpts with the section, but neither was advanced to the finals.
On Thursday, 6 people played; none were asked to play with the section. On Friday, 8 played, and only Alan Baer of the Milwaukee Symphony was asked to play with the section. He played all 6 excerpts and was then asked to play the 2 listed pieces with the NY Phil Brass Quintet, which he performed on his F tuba. Mr. Baer was advanced to the finals.
The final round takes place this Saturday, November 8th at Salvation Army Hall (Avery Fischer is booked). Mr. Baer will play the 2 solos, individual excerpts, and with the section. It is up to NY Phil music director, Lorin Maazel, as to whether or not he chooses to offer Mr. Baer the position. The brass commitee no longer has decision making authority in the matter, though have made it clear to Mr. Maazel that anyone they advance to the final round is, "a musician they all fully willing to work with."
Congratulations to Mr. Baer and all the other players who advanced. The tuba community openly wishes Alan Baer the best of luck in securing this position.