Washington National Opera - Kennedy Center shame on you.

[Doug Elliott]

I don't know anybody involved and I'm not in the orchestral world, but I have been on both sides of the audition process.

In several auditions lately there has been no winner chosen. No orchestra wants that, it's a huge waste of time and resources for everyone involved and they really are looking for someone to win. A lot of assumptions are being made here by people who weren't there and certainly weren't on the committee.

All of the auditioners had their chance and didn't win. There was nothing unfair to any of them unless you think everyone deserves a second chance. The person who got the gig had already proven himself not only capable but superior to the others - or else they would have selected someone else.

The only "fair" alternative would be to require auditions for every position in the orchestra every year.

[UDELBR]

In several auditions lately there has been no winner chosen. No orchestra wants that, it's a huge waste of time and resources for everyone involved and they really are looking for someone to win. A lot of assumptions are being made here by people who weren't there and certainly weren't on the committee.

Here's my ~assumption~ regarding those particular auditions:

one of these:
> The person being replaced was really quite extraordinary, and no applicants met the previous mark.
> Every applicant (actually) was mediocre.
> One or two applicants were actually excellent, but sported weak resumes (i.e. no "experience"...no "formerly a member of blah-blah" to place on the orchestra's website's personnel page).
> The music director, behind the scenes, was trying to get so-and-so to audition for the job, and so-and-so didn't show up.

My orchestra did this regularly: decide "no-one's good enough for us". It was sheer unwarranted arrogance on their part. That's a possible explanation for these "no winner" auditions too.

Uncle "staying far away from the original topic!" Beer

[Three Valves]

5. It’s called the real world.

[TheTuba]

6.we should be happy, because a very good player has got a job, which is very hard with all these very talented tuba players running around, and with the limited availability of said jobs. apparently some people don't like to hear how he got it, which is very sad indeed.

[MN_TimTuba]

5. It’s called the real world.

In the company for which I work, every new hire signs an "At Will" form, stating (in a nutshell) the employee is free to find other employment at any time, and the company is likewise free to replace you at any time. With 15+ years on the job, I know that I could be replaced tomorrow if I start to suck. I also know that I can accept any offer from any business I choose without giving prior notice. Keeps things lively.

[toobagrowl]

Just some questions from a curious outsider...

1. So this guy was in the orchestra for SIX YEARS, and they're just NOW getting around to having auditions?
2. Haven't they figured out that the guy is very competent after working with him for six years?
3. When the position came open six years ago, why wasn't there an immediate open audition to find a full-time player? Budget?
4. I wonder if there was any push for open auditions during the six-year period?
5. How would you feel if you knew you could be replaced at any time, even after six years of superb performance?
6. Was the guy on full salary during his six-year limbo or was he per-service, or was there some other arrangement? If not on full salary, that sucks.
7. The local orchestra has done something similar--I guess it's common, eh?
8. If employees are hired and serve at the pleasure of the Music Director, why not so state in the audition material?

They should have just given the guy the job and not held the audition

[Tubainsauga]

So...anyone got a copy of the excerpt list for the curious?

[Biggs]

Do Olympic athletes get auto-advanced to finals just because they've been successfully running/swimming/jumping/throwing for several years? Pretty sure they participate in all the heats.

Upsets happen.

Yes, they do. Check out the qualifying process for the U.S. men's freestyle, women's freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling Olympic and World Championship teams. Returning world medalists wrestle a separate final round against the winner of a 'challenge tournament.'

edit: is this thread real?

[Ken Herrick]

edit: is this thread real?

5. It’s called the real world.

SCARY

[bort]

5. It’s called the real world.

In the company for which I work, every new hire signs an "At Will" form, stating (in a nutshell) the employee is free to find other employment at any time, and the company is likewise free to replace you at any time. With 15+ years on the job, I know that I could be replaced tomorrow if I start to suck. I also know that I can accept any offer from any business I choose without giving prior notice. Keeps things lively.

Sounds like any private sector job, actually. Now, very few if any companies or people are in the business of burning bridges... but it's not illegal if it happens (as long as it's not discrimination).

Yes, its lively, in the sense that the company I work for doesn't owe me a damn thing, nor do I stake any claim of ownership to anything when I want to leave.

About 10 years ago, the division I worked in had a massive layoff nearly all of us lost our jobs. I thought it sucked, but the same day started to look for a new job and reconnect with people. Lots of other people sulked, and wondered how the company could do that to them, after so many years of service. People were right to be upset, but the company owes.you nothing.

[Leto Cruise]

Seth Cook sounds terrific on all Kennedy Center recordings. Congratulations to a great player and musician.