I just read the comments by Enigmatic and I have to say, people should really post when they know the facts, rather than just say something without knowing anything about the audition. First, I was at both auditions (on committee), the one one Sept '22 and just a couple of weeks ago. In both instances, we had a very low turnout. Every player that came, had problems with rhythm and intonation. Never mind phrasing or style yet, just let's hear someone that doesn't rush or play out of tune. No one made finals, because we won't hire anyone that plays that way. I applaud all the ones that tried (Thank you!). It's always hard to audition in Phoenix. It's landlocked, hard to get to (expensive), bass flight cases, hotel etc
I hope anyone reading this will come out to Phoenix to audition. We want so badly to hire a good player. The audition list was super regular and standard. Nothing too tricky or long. There were excerpt numbers, not completes. It's a good orchestra!! If you cannot play that list, don't come!
hi there - i'm sympathetic to the orchestra wanting to hire, but i think we will have to agree to disagree about the list. i just looked back at the list - 29 individual items, two of which were complete movements. also, specifying a Bach suite movement might turn away players that don't want to rework/replace the movement they've been auditioning on. it's not my intention to be combative...but i do think that the list itself is a contributing factor to the low turnout.
I believe if the next audition rep is reduced by a few excerpts, this will give more time for candidates to focus on deep-diving on the list (rhythm, intonation, etc.). You'll likely gain more people attending who feel well prepared, and ready to show their best.
How many candidates showed up to the prelims? Last time this audition happened they no hired because only 6 people showed up. What on earth is going on? Bassists don’t want jobs?
I would understand that for a section position, but for principal 8 is a scary low number... I guess PHX is probably tough to get to as well. But I see auditions for similarly paid jobs with way better turnout. It’s hard to know what’s to blame at this point.
The list was also unnecessarily long. Many young bassists don’t think of themselves as ”principal players” and will only go for section auditions. Plenty of factors
the list being unnecessarily long was what turned me off from taking it...that along with the part where i had already predicted a no hire the second they announced it for this audition.
If no one got into finals, then the music director probs didn't even get to vote. I think people don't go because it's in the middle of nowhere and expensive to fly to. No one is going to go now with 2 no-hires. There was a no-hire right before the last principal bass (gobetz) won the job too.
8 is a very low number, but they did hire a principal viola with only 3 people showing up. I know nobody wants a no-hire, but maybe the bass section thinks it's better than it is, or just doesn't know what it wants.
I just read the comments by Enigmatic and I have to say, people should really post when they know the facts, rather than just say something without knowing anything about the audition. First, I was at both auditions (on committee), the one one Sept '22 and just a couple of weeks ago. In both instances, we had a very low turnout. Every player that came, had problems with rhythm and intonation. Never mind phrasing or style yet, just let's hear someone that doesn't rush or play out of tune. No one made finals, because we won't hire anyone that plays that way. I applaud all the ones that tried (Thank you!). It's always hard to audition in Phoenix. It's landlocked, hard to get to (expensive), bass flight cases, hotel etc
I hope anyone reading this will come out to Phoenix to audition. We want so badly to hire a good player. The audition list was super regular and standard. Nothing too tricky or long. There were excerpt numbers, not completes. It's a good orchestra!! If you cannot play that list, don't come!
How many candidates showed up to the prelims? Last time this audition happened they no hired because only 6 people showed up. What on earth is going on? Bassists don’t want jobs?
it will get to a point that nobody will come because they refuse to hire anyone.
lol this orchestra's auditions are a joke at this point
yowzer