Many of my friends and I are kind of frustrated that with so few job open, now theres two auditions that overlap. Now we can't go to both, but also Chicago and LA are going to have less of a chance of filling jobs because applicant pool will be divided. I'm sure they're all busy and it's difficult to get dates, but this seems really illogical. Bummer for all us of -- and them!!

A lot of coordination goes into audition scheduling: hall availability, MD availability, working around the orchestra schedule etc. But I would be curious to know if orchestras, especially ones in the same echelon make any attempt to avoid this scenario. Would make sense if they did and I can understand your frustration!

Actually, the Atlanta Symphony just postponed a second English horn audition because it conflicted with the New York Philharmonic EH audition in October. I am sure it was postponed because they realized their. pool would definitely be smaller

It's frustrating for orchestras, too, when we realize that audition dates overlap. But in scheduling auditions, we need to coordinate the availability of the MD, the hall and the fit it into the schedule. There is a huge amount of internal coordination involved. So I would say the answer is no; orchestras do not check with each other in coordinating dates.

Too bad, I agree! Chicago just came up first (and, I think, has two openings). Would really have liked to go to LA but cannot manage two international flights in one month! This information here is very interesting.

Perhaps this MyAud site could invite orchs to send in their audition schedules here, and a master list could
be put together for all to view...??

I am almost positive that when the Seattle Symphony scheduled their most recent Principal Cello Audition, they did their best to find out what other auditions were going on at the time, so there was no overlap. They even modified the repertoire so it was more similar to another major principal cello audition that was happening within three weeks.

^ My orchestra's personnel manager told me that there is a database for personnel managers where they can check audition schedules and make sure they're not overlapping. That doesn't necessarily stop it from happening, though: as Gloriarex said, there are a number of different factors that have to be balanced, and other orchestras' auditions are only one of those.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BBodden,

As annoying as it is to some people to have auditions overlap, I have to disagree & say that I'm not really bothered with it for a few reasons:

1) That's 1 less audition I have to worry about taking, especially if the lists/positions are drastically different (ie, principal vs. piccolo). Plus, it saves a little on travel expenses if I would've taken both had they been on separate days/weekends. For instance, if there are 3 auditions within 3 weeks, most people have to decide which one to take anyway & usually don't end up taking all 3 of them due to work, time, & money (case in point: 4 flute auditions coming up next month).

2) It slims down the competition a bit. If i get the feeling that 1 will be more competitive (ie, has more audition dates & slims down candidates from the resumes), then i'd rather opt for the one that invites more people where there are less players (although the opposite scenario happened once & i did well in that audition)

3) Wouldn't less players be more fair for the judges' ears, as well as the candidates getting a better chance of being heard more than 2-3 excerpts? I think overlapping can work in everyone's favor, but it's more ideal to have the audition dates spread out more.

BBodden is correct. On the AFM site, under the Online Tools heading, there is access, by Personnel Managers, to an area that's called "Audition Ad Scheduler". This area lists all upcoming auditions usually up to one-year out. Every orchestra can input their audition schedule and see, immediately, what other auditions are taking place. The list is in calender order so it's very easy to navigate.

orchdork said...

quote:

3) Wouldn't less players be more fair for the judges' ears, as well as the candidates getting a better chance of being heard more than 2-3 excerpts? I think overlapping can work in everyone's favor, but it's more ideal to have the audition dates spread out more.

I don't think that is how it works..

quote:

Originally posted by Purplepink:

I don't think that is how it works..

How what works? How does it work??? You can have an opinion & I can have mine, but this response doesn't add anything to what I just said.

4) I also think it's easier on the orchestras to not have hundreds of people apply for ONE opening. I see nothing wrong with this.

I am curious about what happened. Does anyone know?

I heard they hired two cellists. Karen Basrak of the Ft. Worth Symphony and Daniel Katz.

Thank you! Is that just Chicago, or Chicago and LA? If not, does anyone know anything about LA? For that matter, about Concertgebouw?

quote:

Originally posted by liebecello:
Thank you! Is that just Chicago, or Chicago and LA? If not, does anyone know anything about LA? For that matter, about Concertgebouw?

Ms. Basrak and Mr. Katz are both joining the CSO. Haven't heard yet about LA.