It was a blustery morning at Symphony Center and anticipation hung frozen in the winter air. Hermine Gagne, Wendy Koons and Rong-Yan Tang were nervous. They were among the lucky and gifted violinists, five in all, who had advanced to the final auditions for vacancies in the CSO last February.

They had come a long way, rising from the anonymity of jobs in lesser orchestras to beat out hundreds of other applicants for three coveted positions in an orchestra that has few equals in the world. Now, their talent and training were on the line. It was put-up-or-shut-up time.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/arts/chi-0311230389nov23,1,7247913.story?coll=chi-leisurearts-hed

This is a great article. makes you wonder what the finalists for the principal trumpet position are going through.

There's hope for anyone with a little talent willing to work long hours to get to this level. Halleluah!

Sinclair Hetherington

Jeez, had no idea it was that difficult. i dunno if my nerves can handle something like that.

Harry
San Francisco, CA

well, just think, if you have the nerves and the talent and win it, you are basically set for life. its the little guys like the small regional orchestras that suffer. best is to get your training in these orchestras then set your sights on the big leagues.

Blair - Tuba

Perhaps I should pop a few valiums to settle my nerves before an audition. Do they do drug screening? hah!

Harry
San Francisco, CA

when did anyone ever say it would be easy? if I was looking for easy, a career as a professional musician would be the last place i would look. all i want is a little money to support and pay the bills so i can be happy and play all day.

Cheryl