Hello everybody,
I normally browse through this site anonymously because I think it is so informative and well put together. I also love seeing the names that are commented as winners of these auditions. Assuming you're all young, it brings me back to the joy I felt winning that first orchestra audition!
With a recent audition having concluded for us here, I thought I would clarify the difference between being a Finalist in a round of 2, vs. being named a Runner Up. Some of you may know this, some of you may not.
Just because you are in a final round of 2 participants (you and one other) and you unfortunately aren't offered the position, it doesn't make you a Runner Up. If you are a Runner Up, almost always it will be verbally "declared" by the committee. This means, if the winner turns down the position, you will then be offered the position. You are next in line. Aside from the rare occasion, this almost always does not happen if you are simply a Finalist who just so happens to be in a final round or super final round of 2 people.
This won't destroy your careers, making this small mistake, but the more you know! It's happened once or twice with those auditioning for our orchestra.
Another topic is the difference between Guest Principal vs. Acting Principal vs. Principal. I see this happen all the time. You are offered a 2 month contract, or a year, and Facebook profiles are being updated to "Principal (insert instrument here)." This is a discussion for another time perhaps!
Happy practicing!!
Can we dissect the differences between Guest Principal, Acting Principal, and Principal?
Going off instinct here (and eager to be corrected/better informed) - I'm assuming that if you are invited from outside the orchestra (i.e. no formal audition) to play principal for a set period of time, you are a "Guest Principal." If you already play in the orchestra and are asked to move up to principal, you are "Acting Principal." Is that correct?
Now...what if you win an audition for a short-term (e.g. 1-year) position, to cover for a player on leave. Are you an "Acting Principal" since that's not your actual job? Or are you a "Principal" in the same way you would be if you were in your tenure year(s)?
And finally...if you are called to sub for a principal player, you are not any of the above, just a (valued) substitute.
Does this terminology vary from orchestra to orchestra? Looking forward to hearing the expertise of many!