12 easy things you can do to increase your chances of
winning an orchestral job*
*-subtitled- “If you don’t do these things, don’t complain
that you are not advancing in auditions.”
1. Obtain actual parts and scores to audition repertoire.
While excerpt books are an important tool to begin studying
the repertoire, it is vital to obtain copies of the actual parts. Additionally,
try to familiarize yourself with all the possible editions of a particular
work. “Yes, Virginia, there is more than one edition of La Gazza Ladra.”
Likewise, examining a score will reveal details that cannot be known through
practicing an individual part. Be prepared! Don’t do almost enough.
2. Listen to many different recordings of each work.
This will allow you to discover a “mainstream”
interpretation, with regard to tempo, style, dynamics etc. Emulate the best
trombone playing and put it into a middle of the road interpretation. If you
haven’t listened to a dozen or two recordings of Bolero, you aren’t familiar
enough with it. Treat recordings like reference books and refer to them often.
3. Learn the entire work, not just excerpt.
The more you know about the entire work, the better you will
be able to communicate your knowledge through your presentation of an excerpt.
If you learn the entire work, you will not be caught off guard if the audition
committee asks for uncommon passages as “sight-reading.”
4. Play in a trombone quartet regularly to develop sense of
section blend.
Playing in a trombone quartet is a very valuable activity
when it comes to the section playing round of an audition. It also is a good
way to build endurance. The members can also be an excellent resource for
feedback regarding your product. Get rid of the ego.
5. Use a metronome, tuner and recording device every day.
Use the recording device to reveal what you really sound
like. After discovering the need to work on intonation and rhythm, use the
tuner and metronome.
6. Take lessons (either primary or supplemental) from a
person who is currently in a major orchestra.
A person who is currently playing in a major orchestra is
involved in your target occupation every day. They will give you very valuable
feedback concerning your product. In addition, read interviews with orchestral
musicians to find out what life is like in the “inside”.
7. Attend live orchestra concerts.
There is no substitute for hearing an orchestra live. Again,
this is what you profess to want to do…take the responsibility to learn what it
sounds like…LIVE.
8. Get a good warm up in, first thing in the morning.
If you are not warming up before class or work, then you are
not dedicated enough. Rest assured that someone else IS. Winning an orchestra
job involves dedication and commitment…not merely interest.
9. Play often for others.
Since one gets a job in an orchestra by auditioning (a.k.a.
playing for others), the best thing you can do to prepare is to play for
others. Get as much feedback as you can stand and remember that the ultimate
decisions rest with you.
10. Learn how your body reacts to anxiety and learn how to
cope.
Nerves can play an important role on audition day. Learn how
you react in stressful playing situations so that audition day nerves are not a
surprise.
11. Develop a solid concept of each excerpt and be able to
demonstrate.
Every excerpt has an appropriate style. First, learn the
correct style and then learn how to present the correct style to the audition
committee.
12. Remember the attributes of a player that advances and
improve upon each in your own playing.
Great sound, great intonation, great articulation, great
style, great control at all dynamic levels, great accuracy, great endurance and
great composure.