Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Principal Tuba Opening

[AsiagoCheezBagel]

Has anyone heard anything about this spot being filled? Or is this audition still open?

Thanks!

[cambrook]

It's still open, and I expect it will be advertised early next year.

Cheers,

Cam

[cambrook]

I just heard from a colleague in the orchestra that the likely date is around Easter 2010, and it will be open to international applicants.

I am in no way involved in any part of this, I'm just passing on what I could find out.

Cheers,

Cam

[Ken Herrick]

So, Cam, are you contemplating a possible move to the banks of the Yarra? If so maybe I'll have to shift back to the golden West and claim the spot I won but didn't take up back in 78.

[cambrook]

No I won't be a candidate, my family is very happy here

Cheers,

Cam

[Ken Herrick]

Funny, that!!!!!!!!!
I'm not the least bit surprised and imagine it would take a lot to shift somebody from Perth. A nice balance of career and lifestyle.

[tubalux]

no appointment 3rd time around.... i guess they're just waiting for me to audition...

[randy westmoreland]

Really? How many were at the auditions? Anyone have any more feedback?

[Alex C]

Did they invite anyone whose first name is Gene?

I don't think they pay enough to invite someone whose first name is Gene.

[termite]

Am I allowed to ask how much a CSO principal salary is for comparison? If I was good enough to cut the gig I would be very happy with an MSO principal's pay.

Gerard

[cambrook]

The MSO Principal pay starts at about A$75,000 (~US$70,000) and goes up in annual increments to about A$92,000 (~US$85,000) after 10 years. Employer superannuation contributions are on top of that.

They are an excellent orchestra, (and not the first to have some issues with appointments) and I'm sure they will end up with a fine musician as Principal Tuba.

[cambrook]

Yes, this is higher than the tutti positions, which range from $62,000 to $80,000.

I can't remember what the advertisement said, but often in Australia the "package" is stated, which includes the superannuation component.

[Philip J Fry]

Anyone know which excerpts were asked?
thanks

[Ken Herrick]

Hey, Cam
Ows bout I borrow your axe an practice til they do it all over again?

Issues with appointments - like when the job was not even advertised for a year while Vinnie got to make the switch from Eupho to the steroid version - the orchestras Boosey Imp Eb then when he "won"the job it was on the basis of swapping with Brisbane to get John W.??

[Alex C]

Did they invite anyone whose first name is Gene?

I don't think they pay enough to invite someone whose first name is Gene.

...which is not to disparage the MSO salary. Surely the person inferred couldn't be moved out of his present position unless the salary were truly astronomical.

[S.G.F.]

Hi all, the orchestra isn't head hunting, but they do have a very clear idea of what they're after.

The previous principal is one of the most respected musicians (not just amongst tuba or brass players) in the city (and indeed the country). Whilst it may appear that they are making things difficult for all of us mortals, why should they make things difficult for themselves? In much the same way that the competition at an audition is the person that we are trying to replace, they are also trying to find a musician of equal or greater ability to uphold their orchestras standards. The pay may be attractive, (made even more so by other employment opportunities) and the living conditions are fantastic (especially with this much money), but the fact remains that for this country's oldest and most tradition-based orchestra, they will be happy to take as long as it takes. A little bit more research and deep thinking would reveal a side benefit that I'm not going to mention here, but this position has a career satisfaction factor that only comes along once in a generation.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the successful candidate would enjoy the full support and responsibilities that come after the level of respect that the panel is paying to the audition process.

Good luck to both the orchestra and all future applicants.

Sorry for standing on the soap-box,

S.G.F.

[Ken Herrick]

Hi all, the orchestra isn't head hunting, but they do have a very clear idea of what they're after.

The previous principal is one of the most respected musicians (not just amongst tuba or brass players) in the city (and indeed the country). Whilst it may appear that they are making things difficult for all of us mortals, why should they make things difficult for themselves? In much the same way that the competition at an audition is the person that we are trying to replace, they are also trying to find a musician of equal or greater ability to uphold their orchestras standards. The pay may be attractive, (made even more so by other employment opportunities) and the living conditions are fantastic (especially with this much money), but the fact remains that for this country's oldest and most tradition-based orchestra, they will be happy to take as long as it takes. A little bit more research and deep thinking would reveal a side benefit that I'm not going to mention here, but this position has a career satisfaction factor that only comes along once in a generation.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the successful candidate would enjoy the full support and responsibilities that come after the level of respect that the panel is paying to the audition process.

Good luck to both the orchestra and all future applicants.

Sorry for standing on the soap-box,

S.G.F.

VERY well put!!!

A lot of people in the US etc would not believe the standard of orchestras here. The MSO has proven on its world tours that it can hold its own with the best anywhere.

Any tubist who wants a very good position in a top quality orchestra in a city with a great life style should practice very hard and hope this job is re advertised. Imagine living is a city of close to 3 million where you don't have to carry a gun to go shopping, where you can afford to have that place in the country and still commute to work, ski in winter, hit the beach in summer and enjoy some of the worlds finest wine and beer. AND - you can do your job, earning a very good living wage, and still have time to follow other pursuits.

No need to say "sorry" for passing on "the facts" about this position.

Oh yes, Cameron Brook is filling in for a bit and could probably give everybody "the lowdown"on this position.

[Steve Marcus]

I have been off of TubeNet for a number of days. But I can hardly believe that there was no mention here of what was posted on Facebook nearly a day ago:

Congratulations to Tim Buzbee, who won the audition for Principal Tuba of the Melbourne Symphony!

Unless there's a local hot shot, most likely a student of Tim's, who is good enough to take Tim's place in his current position, someone else will need to learn how to speak Icelandic...

[josh_kaprun]

I guess this means that the Icelandic Symphony principal trombone spot will also be opening up.

[UDELBR]

Congratulations to Tim Buzbee, who won the audition for Principal Tuba of the Melbourne Symphony!

Interesting, only in that they'd planned on holding a 9 month trial before awarding the job.