That's what excerpts have felt like for the past decade. Practice your butt off to execute everything technically perfectly. Play audition and not pass prelim. Listen to phone recording. Compile list of technical errors. Repeat ad nauseum. It's hard not to feel cynical and burnt out when audition prep it feels like sysiphus, but the rock never actually moves. Post your audition vents here.

On the increasingly rare occasions I do get feedback from my prelims, it's always a technical shortcoming that holds me back. Positive feedback is either a "good" or a checkmark but little else. I never hear about committees describing the winner's audition performances. What makes them stand out? Technical polish? Stylistic literacy and knowledge? Creativity? Flexibility on immediate feedback? It would be good for me to spend some time pursuing what sets the winners apart as opposed to my typical mode of avoiding mistakes.

They hold auditions for multiple positions every year. Is there a high attrition rate? No hires? Delegating one-year contracts to subs? I'd like to know if it's even worth trying if there are shady practices afoot.

Orchestra I'm auditioning for auto-advanced me to semis because of my resumé, but I think it was an accident. For example, being a member of a London Symphony Orchestra (regional), but not the London Symphony Orchestra. My resumé makes it pretty clear I'm with a former, not latter. I'm considering following up with management to clarify this wasn't an accident, but second opinions are welcome.