My First Orchestra Audition

AverageJoe · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 10:12 am Post subject:

Well, I finally threw my hat in the ring! Many of my colleagues have been encouraging me to take some auditions for some time, and I finally decided to go for it.

It was for the Macon, GA Symphony principal trumpet position (contract position -- modest pay with some travel compensation). They didn't really advertise...mostly word-or-mouth I think.... There were only 8 auditioning. I was fortunate enough to make the finals, but nerves got the best of me at that point (I blew it on the middle section of Pines after NAILING the opening -- they gave me a second chance, but it just wasn't my day). The other 2 finalists experienced the same fate, unfortunately, so they didn't pick a winner (rightfully so -- none of us distinguished ourselves). It was a WONDERFUL experience, though, and I will definitely be there for the re-audition!

Other than Pines, I felt pretty comfortable on everything else in spite of the nerves. Now that I have one under my belt, I won't be so nervous next time. I just need to practice Pines until I can play it in my sleep, upside down, and backwards!

I don't have too many people to call about this who can understand my exitement, so thanks for endulging me!

Paul Poovey

riffdawg2000 · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 10:36 am Post subject:

Well .... FINALLY! You should have been doing this from the get-go! Now that you got one 'under the belt' ... WIN the next one!

Good luck!
_________________
Joel Thomas

tcutrpt · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 10:37 am Post subject:

Congrats on getting in there. I will probably have my first go at it next year sometime.

_________________
Matt Cyr
trumpetmc@gmail.com

AverageJoe · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 10:53 am Post subject:

Joel -- Thanks for the encouragement, brother! I'm afraid the bug has bitten me now...I'm definitely going back for more!

Matt -- do let us know when you take your first audition! I highly recommend the experience to everyone!

Paul

Derek Reaban · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 11:28 am Post subject:

Paul,

Congratulations! Going through the complete process of finding the parts, finding the recordings, planning practice sessions to touch every aspect of every piece, learning and fine tuning the literature, ACTIVE LISTENING, getting on stage (and in your case ADVANCING), is the MOST important aspect. Winning is just frosting on the cake, and it sounds like with your great success on the first outing, you will find a match soon.

I know that for me (during my audition run last year), watching my overall playing level improve over a period of 6 months for two different auditions was absolutely worth the time and energy invested.

Good for you!

Take care,
_________________
Derek Reaban
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe Winds / Symphony of the Southwest

loudog · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 6:56 pm Post subject:

Congrats!!

My first audition is tomorrow (yipes!) Wish me luck!

Louie

tcutrpt · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 9:03 pm Post subject:

Don't suck, Louie. ;o)
_________________
Matt Cyr
trumpetmc@gmail.com

trumpetmike · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 10:33 pm Post subject:

Louie
Good luck

Above all else, enjoy the experience - even if it all goes pear-shaped, enjoy it (or at least try to!)

loudog · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 3:52 am Post subject:

Hahaha Matt...I'll try not to! I really can't believe the excerpt list for this thing though...it's rediculous...I'll post it later, I don't have time right now...it's for 2nd trumpet, but the excerpts are 1st trumpet excerpts...and it's stuff like the Bach Magnificat, Bartok Concerto...everything. Oh well...I'll post the list tonight when I get back.

Louie

_PhilPicc · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 4:15 am Post subject:

Best of luck Louie.

Hope you do very well and enjoy the experience.

Phil
_________________
Philip Satterthwaite

We cannot expect you to be with us all the time, but perhaps you could be good enough to keep in touch now and again."
- Sir Thomas Beecham to a musician during a rehearsal

tromba mann · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 6:44 am Post subject:

Way to go Paul!

6pk · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 8:00 am Post subject:

Has anyone here ever done unscreened auditions for orchestras they've worked with a lot. I've done one recently and have another approaching. Its the most nerve racking thing I've done trumpet terms, but it made the unknown ones a lot easier.

AverageJoe · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 8:16 am Post subject:

knock 'em dead, Louie!

Thanks Tromba Mann!

As to playing an unscreened audition, I actually enjoyed the finals (unscreened) more than the prelims (screened) -- something about being able to see the judges and them being able to see me really fired me up. Now if I only hadn't added that extra measure in Pines, I would have been much better off!

Paul

JGulyas · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 1:22 pm Post subject:

Paul,

Way to go on your first attempt. Not too many of us make the finals the first try. I sure as heck didn't!

Be Good!

John
_________________
All the Best,

John

US Navy Bandsman 1996-2010 (Trumpet; Audio Engineer)
Mpc - Kanstul/Monette B6, Hammond Design custom "JG"
Bb - Yamaha 6335HGSII
C - Eastman ETR530
Picc - NoName Chinese

AverageJoe · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 7:22 am Post subject:

Hey, John!

How are things down in JAX? You all coming up to ATL again anytime soon? Would love to have you back out to hang with the brass band if you get up this way again...

Thanks for the encouragement, man! Having such a good outing definitely gives me some momentum going into the next one -- back to the woodshed with even more intensity!

Paul

JGulyas · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 5:58 pm Post subject:

Hey Paul,

Not too sure when we'll be back up that way. I just got back into the quintet two weeks ago after being out for 6 months because my face blew up on me. Still struggling to get it back and it's been all uphill, but it's coming very slowly. If we do get up there, we'd love to sit in the band again it the director will let us. I think we caught him by surprise last time!

Take Care!

John
_________________
All the Best,

John

US Navy Bandsman 1996-2010 (Trumpet; Audio Engineer)
Mpc - Kanstul/Monette B6, Hammond Design custom "JG"
Bb - Yamaha 6335HGSII
C - Eastman ETR530
Picc - NoName Chinese

AverageJoe · Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 8:06 am Post subject:

John,

That was my fault...I'll do a better job of informing the conductor next time -- you and the rest of the 5-tet are always welcome to come hang with the GBB!

Sorry to hear about your face, man! Hope you are recovering well -- take your time and be patient (of course I know you know this already). You have great support in your band -- I often wonder what would have happened if I had decided to start my process two weeks sooner (can you say, "anchors aweigh?"). My best to everyone there!

Paul