Here is a good blog entry about auditions. If you want to know what musicians are up against, read it. Jason Heath has written about the cruel and unusual punishment as well (including a post about his horrible experience with San Jose Symphony —for some reason I feel to blame, which is so darn pathetic and typical of me! Why, oh why do I feel guilty for things with which I have nothing to do?!), and you can read what Elaine Douvas had to write about the issue too.
Ah, auditions. Such a curse. Nearly as bad as making reeds. Or no … I take it back! … WORSE.
I’m thankful I landed my little jobs early on, and that even with the death of San Jose Symphony, which I joined in 1975 and stuck with until it failed in, I think, 2002, I managed to sort of “deal”, due to the creation of Symphony Silicon Valley. (Sure, we have a LOT fewer services, but it’s better than nothing. I think.) I had one audition with San Francisco Symphony eons ago. I didn’t play well and, to be quite honest, I wasn’t even close to prepared for it. Now I don’t plan on auditions. I’m 51. I have work. I love what I do. And I would not love to do an audition. So there you go.
But for all those who deal with this horrendous punishment we call auditions, you have my admiration. And sympathy.
In Other News
… and sort of an audition too, eh .. I gave up on American Idol. I simply couldn’t stand it any more. I thought I’d manage to muddle through, but bad singing is bad singing and I don’t have the tolerance for it. Bad judging is also bad judging and so just never mind about that show. It’s a waste of my time.
These girls were horrible tonight. I think there’s only 2 or 3 guys who are decent, and they’ll be in the finals but the girls were a waste of time.
It was the boys I gave up on. The whole thing is one huge waste of my time.
Oh dear! Then I suppose you gave up at the right time!
I think so. But of course I’ll probably still cave and check in on occasion.
I think part of it is that it isn’t really about art, is it? It’s about entertainment.
I also simply don’t connect with the whole pop thing. I know that’s MY problem, but there you go.
Re ” Why, oh why do I feel guilty for things with which I have nothing to do?!” – are you Jewish? 🙂 (I also have this problem.)
Very interesting to read that other blog you linked about auditions. There’s the reality. Peter Cooper has an excellent article on preparing for auditions in the latest Double Reed (do you get that, P?)–I have a copy I could send you if you don’t have it. It’s good for all musicians, but of course it’s geared towards oboists. A good follow-up to the audition article.
No, Lisa, I’m not Jewish. Hmmm. Should I be? 😉
Yep, Jill, I’ve seen the article. Put a quote up here a while back from it, too. Thanks!