A Long Career in Chicago

[Ken Herrick]

I noticed a whole lot of the all too common rubbish in the "Auditions" forum regarding the Chicago Lyric Opera tuba position so decided on a new thread here.

In the orchestra's personnel list I noticed:

Tuba - Robert N. Bauchens, Principal

Bob won this position in '66 or '67 and I am assuming has held it continuously since then which makes for a tenure of over 40 years. He took over after the strike in 65-66 which, as I recall, saw a whole season of the opera wiped out. The previous occupant of the position was Charlie Guse who was also the union rep. Charlie, by the way, used a King BBb 4rv monster pretty much as his only instrument.

Bob won the position using a monstrously big Huttl 4rv BBb. He used the same instrument when he did the Boston audition which was won by Chester Schmitz.

Bob and I used to split a couple jobs, a trad band at a club chain called "Your Father's Mustache" and the "Chicago Brass Quintet". Bob had finished a Masters at Northwestern, studying with Jake, about 64 and was Jake's assistant teacher there-after. Bob, as I knew him, was always a very capable performer and a bloody good bloke.

For those who "hate" the audition conditions or think the whole thing is a joke, You probably wouldn't have a snow flake's chance in hell of winning the audition. It is a position which will attract top level players and anybody who hasn't got a complete mastery of the opera repertoire might as well keep practicing for the West Podunk Community Orchestra instead of even dreaming of going for this job.

[Alex C]

It may be curious to some that a tuba player like Bob was relatively unknown and un mentioned until he retired. I believe that Bob, like his teacher, was happy with his job. Having reached that goal, he may have been sufficiently challenged to be the best he could be in that job and, again like his teacher, did not feel the need to produce albums or present masterclasses.

He was certainly a fine player when I heard him and courteous to students when introduced to them.

[cjk]

I read through part of the auditions thread on the job. My first impression is that it seems like an extremely good paying job for a tuba player. I would expect extremely qualified folks to show up in droves.

[EdFirth]

I had the good fortune to hear Bob play with the Chicago Brass Quintet sometime around 1974. He was playing the Huttl andI was blown away by his sound and musicianship.He was also very approachable and friendly. A word to those of you seeking orchestra positions that seem to require previous steady orchestra employment.I said this to Chris Olka(Seattle Symphony) and Mike Roylance(Boston Symphony/Pops) who were making good money working at the Rat(Disney) in the Tubafours and FutureCorps respectively.You need to move to a big city and hook up with one of the big time tuba players and they will get you connected if they think you have the potential to win.Taking four years of lessons at college is fine but if it's not Julliard, or someplace like that with a networked Pro as the teacher it's not going to get you into any auditions. There are of course notable exceptions but in this compepitive market you need all the help you can get.Sidenote, Chris and Mike pretty much blew me off until their bands got canned Then they both left the nest and you can see/hear the results. Ed

[Alex C]

Excellent advice!