Thought Of The Week: Orchestra Auditions Part 1. The experience

Auditions can be one of the most humbling experiences. What worked well in the practice room many times does not translate to the audition and the way that you need to prepare for an audition differs significantly from the way that you might prepare for a recital or other performance. 

The action is also different than any other performance that you ever do. Instead of walking out to an excited applause from the audience, you walk into a room or rehearsal space in complete silence. There is a panel of musicians sitting behind a large curtain or screen in front of you. The experience is cold, almost like music in a vacuum. There is no immediate feedback as to whether or not you did well (some orchestras offer comments, you just have to ask and you should). From then on you have to wait and see if you have been advanced to the next round. For me this is the most freeing aspect of the experience, the one part that you have zero control over. For some that might be the worst part, but if you do want have some control over the experience it lies 100% in the preparation process.