Anyone knows who won it? I've heard that very few people were advanced to the second round.

i dunno, but i hope they picked someone this time! isn't this like the 3rd or 4th time they've had it?!

YAHOO!! Andrea ROCKS! She definitely deserves this after going through all of that!!!!!!!!!!!! Golly!

Unfortunately, some orchestras are required to hold auditions if the permanent position is still technically open. I am not sure if its a union thing or not - but yes flutegrl, it does seem like if an orchestra is happy with someone who's been proving themselves in the position, they ought to be able to just offer them the job. But, the fact that Andrea kept on going, and finally won it through all that, just goes to show how much she really does deserve it!

For the sake of clarity:

"The Union" doesn't really have anything to do with auditions. Orchestras dictate their own audition procedures and practices in their contract.

While the contract is technically between the union and the management, orchestra musicians have, since the '60's, been able to spell out their own terms. Thus, anything having to do with an orchestra's audition procedures is solely the province of that orchestra.

Some orchestras have, in very recent years, greatly liberalized their audition procedures and their ability to skirt the process for certain circumstances. Some orchestras, for instance, can simply invite candidates to come play rather than have them play principal auditions. Others allow 1-year contract winners (by way of national audition) to be appointed to a permanent seat if it becomes available. Again, though, it's up to the orchestra - not the union.

I guess the larger question is, though, to whom is the orchestra ultimately accountable in terms of "fairness"? Itself, or the hundreds of hopefuls who want a shot at a job? (For the record, I'm not arguing either side...)