I've been somewhat following this, and interested myself, because though I'm a violinist, I happen to know three people who sent in a tape, and have heard a lot from them separately.
FWIW, and if it helps at all, I heard that they emailed all candidates back in September or October to let them know that the panel had listened to all of the tapes, and guest principal invitations, requests for more material, or private audition invitations for an official opening in Spring 2024 would be sent out "soon." Two of the three people I know received a guest principal invitation in November for concerts in January and concerts in February, respectively. They later both received a similar email letting them know that nothing has necessarily been finalized yet, but the months they were given were the months they would likely be with the orchestra. They haven't received any notice since.
As for the third friend, the email letting him know that the panel had listened to all of the tapes was the only email he's received from the orchestra. To my knowledge, they've had several concerts that have required tuba.
The gist I get is that communication overall hasn't been great. (These three friends of mine don't know each other, so I feel comfortable, at the moment anyway, saying all of this)
For sure! The two friends of mine invited are based in Europe and North America. The friend of mine who hasn't heard anything since September/October is also based in North America.I agree. I recall one of them saying that the orchestra would pay for travel, but regardless, I find the whole dilemma to be interesting, to say the least.
I've been somewhat following this, and interested myself, because though I'm a violinist, I happen to know three people who sent in a tape, and have heard a lot from them separately.
FWIW, and if it helps at all, I heard that they emailed all candidates back in September or October to let them know that the panel had listened to all of the tapes, and guest principal invitations, requests for more material, or private audition invitations for an official opening in Spring 2024 would be sent out "soon." Two of the three people I know received a guest principal invitation in November for concerts in January and concerts in February, respectively. They later both received a similar email letting them know that nothing has necessarily been finalized yet, but the months they were given were the months they would likely be with the orchestra. They haven't received any notice since.
As for the third friend, the email letting him know that the panel had listened to all of the tapes was the only email he's received from the orchestra. To my knowledge, they've had several concerts that have required tuba.
The gist I get is that communication overall hasn't been great. (These three friends of mine don't know each other, so I feel comfortable, at the moment anyway, saying all of this)