Painful audition takeaway

[Dhboykin]

I recently played an audition for a small orchestra in my area. It was far enough away and early enough call to warrant an over night stay the day before.

I arrived at the audition site at the stated time and all of us at the cattle call were assigned a warmup room. Opps. My room was locked! WTF. There were interns around assisting with directions. They ushered me to another room full of percussion equipment with no chairs. So wasted time trying to find one somewhere else in the building. Then was told by the intern who informed the personnel manager of the situation that I couldn't use that room. Had to wait while they found another room and was ushered to another room just in time to draw numbers. Murphy the forever optimist was in full swing. I drew a painfully early number. Not #1 but close.

I was into the room you enter before you are admitted to the actual audition room with virtually no warmup. On to the audition room. As you can surmise got the "thank you" very early.

Why do I share this. Simple advice. S*** happens show up fully warmed up and ready to go. I should have started at 6 AM and the heck with other hotel guests or tried to arrange a conference room for an hour. Painful lesson hopefully can help someone else avoid the same fate. Do not assume anything will be as represented. Period. Tuba auditions are too few and far between. Leave nothing to chance.

For people running auditions. Candidates show up with all levels of preparation and ability. But all have put significant energy and expense into the ordeal. They deserve a little respect and organization. At least be sure they get sufficient warm up time.

[MKTuba]

Audition helper staff can range from musicians in the orchestra who obviously have a vested interest in finding qualified colleagues all the way down to the janitor that works at the random catholic school this regional orchestras 6th violinists daughter goes to school at and ws willing to open up their facility for a Saturday morning tuba audition. Clearly, only will have a higher level of respect and care for the musicians auditioning that day. Auditions are already a mixed bag and being prepared for dumb stuff like this to happen is important, however don’t let something like this that’s completely out of your control eat at you too much. You did as much as you could with the knowledge you had. For some cosmic reason this happened and you will move on. Nice to hear your experience!

[tclements]

at ANY time, I am happy to help with auditions. ANY time. No charge!