Great Expectations

The most disheartening aspect about entering the audition circuit is the large number of auditionees. With 50-150 musicians auditioning for one opening, the number of “losers” is staggering. Furthermore, with a limited amount of time, it is impossible for the auditioning committee to give enough attention to each candidate. The goal then becomes eliminating all but 5 or 10 as quickly as possible so that the decision makers can take time deciding between the finalists.

As an aspiring conductor, I am faced with the task of getting looked at. I will not even get the chance to audition until a committee decides that it is worth their time to send an invitation. Once the conducting candidates are invited, I believe that they get one of the fairest auditions possible. The audition for a conductor usually includes interviews, checking of references, rehearsing the orchestra, and sometimes even performing with the group before the final decision is made. That’s a big opportunity to “show what you’ve got”…if you make it that far. You first must catch the attention of the search committee, and that may have nothing to do with your musicianship.

It has been said that the golden age of the symphony orchestra is long gone. Perhaps, but there are still some very exciting things going on. Orchestras are alive and well in the movies, they have been combined with Rock bands, and let us not forget that without them the world would lose some of the greatest masterpieces ever created. Even though the orchestral repertoire is no longer limited to Beethoven Symphonies and the like, there are still opportunities to make exciting music at the highest level. And that’s the kicker! When asked why I have chosen to pursue a career in music, I respond that if I find something more challenging that carries a greater reward, I will pursue that. It sounds cliché, I know, but it’s the truth; music IS worth it. So until I feel differently…GAME ON!!!