I am curious to see what people think of this question

Question:
In light of many no hire auditions, who do you really have to beat?

Choices:
a. The other candidates at the audition
b. An ideal set by the committee
c. The person previously in the chair
d. The music director's vision
e. God only knows

 

I humbly suggest adding another option - "yourself".

We sometimes stand in the way of our own success, due to being negative, insecure, trying too hard or too little, comparing ourselves to others too much, obsessing, not being able to play as well at the audition as we do in the practice room, for reasons we cannot explain... and never bother to explore.

Books such as "The Inner Game of Tennis" and "Zen in The Art of Archery" are good places to start.

Flaky's right. After conquering yourself, I would suggest A, then B, C, and D collectively, in that order. The fifth-best candidate never wins the job. And since A always happens - there is always a best candidate at the audition - B through D decide the final outcome of the process.