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Hey folks,

Don't know if it's ever been discussed in here before, but I thought I'd broach the subject of what is considered proper or appropriate attire to wear for an audition...or, maybe more importantly, what is NOT proper or appropriate. I'm thinking of this question in two parts, really: 1) what's generally considered okay when the screen is up and 2) what's generally considered NOT okay when the screen is down.

I'm thinking that, when the screen is up, comfort reigns...within reason. ("Business casual," khakis...blue jeans??)

When the screen is down, I'm thinking more along the lines of the same you'd wear to any other job interview. (Tie.)

I've gone through a small handful of auditions now and I've always stuck to these personal guidelines, but I thought I'd ask all of you for your opinions.

The only orchestra audition I've done (I did audition as a sub for 2 local community groups and never played for them ) was "live". I wore whatever nice clothes I had at the time but when I got in went right back to regular clothes and basketball shorts and sandals in the summer. At least that was back when I wore footwear in the summer, stupid shoes...

the elephant wrote:Just about any concert ensemble for which a tuba player would have to audition for, you will be required to perform in a coat and tie or a tuxedo, so get used to it.

+1

Most people are uncomfortable in "nice" clothes because their nice clothes don't fit. Especially if they
are 22 and still growing (out, if not up).

If you spent $10,000 for your horn(s) - go to the store and buy "nice" clothes that FIT. If you grow 2" (up...or out),
go and do it again. Practice in them, until they feel like jeans and a t-shirt. Then, keep them cleaned and pressed and available when appropriate (which is every time you meet with strangers for the purpose of being judged).

You can return to jeans and t-shirts when you get tenure.

All great comments, folks! I agree that it IS really more about how you sound, but getting used to playing in somewhat uncomfortable clothing is imperative for our line of work. I, too, don't like playing w/ a closed collar, but have gotten around that by either buying a shirt that's a size to big OR simply keeping the collar unbuttoned w/ the tie on...nobody's gonna notice, really.

And...
"Changing clothes at an audition is really dorky, too."

+5 The only time I'd think this would be necessary is when the audition is spread across a couple of days. (Obviously.)

Thanks again, folks! I figured this would be a good topic to explore.

unless you are trying out for a spot in the house band at Jimmy Buffets , " dress for success " ! At very least business casual . Suit , jacket and tie even better ...

No question, dress your best. Be comfortable, but look great. Don't even THINK about jeans and t-shirt. Slacks, dress shirt and tie. Coat, if you can be comfortable. Please make sure all these things match; don't come looking like a circus clown. Also, polish your shoes and have your suit laundered and pressed. Shirt starched, too, if you can stand it.

I did personnel work for the San Jose Symphony for about 15 years. The people who won the job had pride in the way they looked. It shows up in your level of preperation and work ethic. ALSO, it shows the employer that you care enough about the gig to show a certain respect.

Good Luck!

Good suggestions!

Remember... "You never get a second chance to make a first impression"

"Dress for the job you want, not the job you have" I know that when I'm dressed up for a performance I feel better and, more importantly, PLAY better. Anytime you play in front of other people, screen or no screen, always look your best--it shows respect for the ensemble, your audience, your art, and yourself.

JJ

wear your outfit before the audition, and do a rehearsal wearing it, check that water splashes don't show (and polish etc from your instrument) just don't leave anything to chance.

Before screens, improper attire could cost you. I attended one audition where an amazing player was not advanced, I was later told it was because his inappropriate attire concerned the committee. Things have changed.

Now with screens the norm, dress respectfully for the early rounds and consider wearing at least a tie for the finals. M2CW

Alex C wrote:Before screens, improper attire could cost you. I attended one audition where an amazing player was not advanced, I was later told it was because his inappropriate attire concerned the committee. Things have changed.

Two questions for discussion:

a) is this PARTICULAR change a change for the better? (or, is it an unavoidable side-effect of other,
desirable, changes?)
b) which side of the screen are you (usually)?

jamsav wrote:unless you are trying out for a spot in the house band at Jimmy Buffets

How about an orchestra that plays Jimmy Buffet? Been there, done that.

I played a very high-paying jazz gig with Jimmy Buffet's sax man.

We BOTH wore tuxes.

I find it telling that the two guys with "professional" under their usernames have both stated that you should definitely dress nicely for an audition. I particularly think Wade's point about practicing in your good clothes to make it comfortable is some really great advice.

This has already been said, but there is a huge difference between a top-buttoned shirt, coat, and tie that fit properly, and a set that is just a little bit too small.

As a large guy whose weight has gone like a yo-yo in the past - I recognize that it is expensive sometimes to keep nice, well-fitting clothes as weight changes. But it's simply a necessity for job interviews. And there are ways to get suits-and-ties that look good enough for a non-CEO job interview for not too much $$$.

And my apologies, but like most of the responses so far, mine does not address at all the wardrobe issues women face at auditions/job interviews.

Act (and look) like you've been there before.

Uncle Buck wrote:

And my apologies, but like most of the responses so far, mine does not address at all the wardrobe issues women face at auditions/job interviews.

Most replies can be taken "as written" - dress the way you would at any job interview.

Except: don't wear heels that make a distinctive click, click, click as you walk across stage. Wear your "commuting Nikes" when the screen is up - you can change into the 6" spike heels (well, perhaps something a tad more conservative) when the screen comes down.

The bottom line, for everyone, is: you don't want anyone to NOTICE (much less comment upon) your dress. Your clothing should blend right in, and be completely un-remarkable. If anyone remembers what you were wearing 5 minutes after you leave the stage, you have screwed up.

Unless you own a bumblebee outfit. That has been known to work.

I sat on an audition committee where we very nearly refused the candidate who played the best audition because he was dressed so poorly. It felt, to members of the committee, as if we and the orchestra we were representing, were being disresptected. We did offer him the job based on the quality of his performance and made a note to vet him carefully during his probationary period.

Never show up to any job interview dressed sloppily. You want to not only show that you take yourself seriously, but that you take the job seriously as well.

And there are ways to get suits-and-ties that look good enough for a non-CEO job interview for not too much $$$.

Uncle Buck, have you tried any second hand clothing stores - Goodwill, Salvation Army, or any thrift shops? If you are lucky, you may be able to find clothing donated from a former person who wears the same size clothes you do. If they have good taste and a fine eye for clothing, icing on the cake. But you have to make the rounds pretty regularly to see what is new and available and get it before someone else does. Just a thought.

Rev Rob wrote:

And there are ways to get suits-and-ties that look good enough for a non-CEO job interview for not too much $$$.

Uncle Buck, have you tried any second hand clothing stores - Goodwill, Salvation Army, or any thrift shops? If you are lucky, you may be able to find clothing donated from a former person who wears the same size clothes you do. If they have good taste and a fine eye for clothing, icing on the cake. But you have to make the rounds pretty regularly to see what is new and available and get it before someone else does. Just a thought.

Yup, been there, done that. Also, if you're pretty comfortable with your jacket size, you can find deals on the Internet. Unfortunately, though, you have to be prepared for jacket sizes to vary among manufacturers.