Audition Etiquette

[rascaljim]

I just recieved some comment sheets back from a regional audition I took a couple months ago. I was supprised to see on one of the sheets in big letters "TOOK TOO LONG BETWEEN EXCERPTS" as well as "big production with valves between playing." These were the only negative comments on that particular sheet.

I was a bit supprised to see this as I've always been taught to take your time and go through the excerpt in your head before playing it in addition to making sure you're ready (ie emptying condensation, oiling sticky valve, etc...).

Did I just get a yahoo or what do you think?

Jim Langenberg

[ThomasP]

I'm not an audition Veteran, but here are my thoughts on the matter.

You're trying to get a job, and there's a commitee doing the hiring, you don't want to do anything to give them a reason to eliminate you.

There's no way of knowing if what you're doing is making people dislike you, until after the audition. You have to oil sticky valves, and you have to switch horns. Is it necessary to go through the entire excerpt in your head before you play it? I think that could get on people's nerves. Just a thought, perhaps the proper amount of time between excerpts is the same amount of time you'd take between movements of works, but maybe pieces on a recital. Too much dead time does make people think, "what the hell is this guy doing?" That's not exactly a positive statement, and it could be magnified with the help of a screen.

[jdsalas]

You also have to realize that you're not the only one auditioning. If you're near the beginning you could probably get away with taking a little more time but if you're at the end of 20-30 auditionees I would imagine that the committee would start to get a little impatient. I know it's not fair but that's how it is sometime in a regional or open audition.

[rascaljim]

Little more info... The comments were from the final round with 2 other candidates. I oiled 1 vavle between 3rd and 4th excerpt. Only other pauses were for emptying condensation.

[Rick Denney]

I just recieved some comment sheets back from a regional audition I took a couple months ago. I was supprised to see on one of the sheets in big letters "TOOK TOO LONG BETWEEN EXCERPTS" as well as "big production with valves between playing." These were the only negative comments on that particular sheet.

I've rarely auditioned in music, but I have given countless oral presentations trying to win work for my employer.

One thing that is required in these is conveying complete confidence--in yourself, in your story, in your preparation, in your expertise, and in your tools. Most leave out something. One person's expertise (technique) may be stellar but their story (musicality) isn't credible. Another may have a great story but seem to be fighting their tools. Another may have a good story and a good command of tools and techniques, but be personally passive so that the prospective client is afraid the person will not lead the work effectively.

Being methodical is one thing, but if being methodical seems like a loss of confidence or command over the material, it will work against someone giving an interview.

You might try videoing yourself for a mock audition, doing exactly the same things you did, and then watch yourself with the mindset that you are on the audition committee.

On the subject of oiling valves, I have never yet seen a performer take time from the performance to oil valves, even though I've seen a couple of times when the equipment was a problem. That preparation should be complete before you step out on stage.

And concerning switching instruments, there are works where the tuba player has to sit quietly for long periods, letting his tuba get cold and his lips stiff, and he still has to come in and make beautiful sounds. I would not expect much forgiveness for extending "warm-ups" during instrument changes.

Rick "looking at this from a business rather than tuba-playing perspective" Denney

[windshieldbug]

If you turn this around, and say it was a job interview, a good piece of advice to give a job candidate would be to think before they answer questions. Yet, if you asked a question, and the candidate took several minutes mulling your question over in his head and practicing an answer in their head before speaking, you'd probably get a poor impression.

I have no idea how much time you actually took, and if it seemed excessive, but when you sight-read excerpts with an ensemble, you can't throw your arms up and yell "I'm not ready!". Taking too much time is something to consider. I also don't know if these were prepared excerpts, or sight-read. If they're prepared, they should certainly seem like that - prepared, not first time reading.

All things being equal, any committee is more impressed with self-confidence the preparation. Preparation is not always an option in the real world. In an audition situation, taking a short time for prep is smart, but not too long.

And if I'd be you, I'd count it as a positive that the ONLY criticism that one person could think of was that you took too long to prepare. Not that your reading was bad, you sound could use work, your interpretation was off- just that you took too long to play!

[joebob]

If you are taking a considerably longer time between excerpts than other candidates are taking, then someone on the committee could be annoyed. I have heard committee members complain about this before. I doubt most people are very bothered by it, but if it gives one person a negative impression, it could be very damaging. It's probably a good idea to try and find out if you are taking a noticeably longer time than others. You could find that out by asking other committee members from that audition and other auditions you take, or also from mock auditions. If you have to take a lot of time to sound your best, then that's what you have to do. It's not worth messing up your audition over - but if you can speed it up without hurting your audition, it might be a good idea. If you've never received this comment before, I would be careful about changing my approach based on one comment.

[WoodSheddin]

Those type of comments are cursory. I would assume that they did not hear what they were after yet still felt obligated to go through the motions and listen to more than they really needed in order to make their decision. They may have been getting restless felt that it was dragging out after in their minds they had already decided on their vote.

This happens all the time where committees allow candidates to all play the same or nearly the same number of excerpts thinking maybe they will get better or being fearful of insulting someone by cutting them off after only 1 or maybe 2 tunes.

If the committee had been truly impressed than I seriously doubt that type of comment would have been present.

Of course these are just my guesses.

[LoyalTubist]

Go in there and play what they tell you to play. Don't say anything at a blind audition. If it's not a blind audition, say hi, and get started. I have done two big auditions and many not so major auditions. I am about 75% successful (50% successful on the major auditions).

[Getzeng50s]

Ok. Valves? You should have them all oiled, and your horn should be in tip top shape. you should knwo this because youve been practicing on your tuba for weeks getting ready for this audition.. and youve been lubing it every day... as for spit. well empty it. but how many times have you filled your horn with spit after playing for 15 seconds. empty your horn before u get on stage. lube ur valves in the morning when your warming up. and when your going through your excerpts in your head... try not to push the fingerings down on the tuba... that shows lack of preperation. these are all things to remember, and may just be comon sence to me. but what do i know...