Orchestral Roundtable Discussion

Pamela Endsley & Julie Duncan

Preparing for an Audition

Know the entire part, not just the asked excerpt
- Know what comes before and after, and where your ques are.
Listen to man different recordings of the excerpts. Many excerpts have wrong tempi listed.
You have to have perfect Rhythm and Pitch.
Practice the Excerpts at different Tempi. If you get asked to play it again, it is a good thing.
Make your musical gestures so clear that someone behind the screen could write down what you are doing..
Record yourself for Dynamics
Mix up Excerpts when you practice them
Play for other people and pretend you are actually taking the audition
Be careful about asking an audition committee to replay something. If you must, only ask once.
Do Excessively warm-up between pieces
Take time to think about the piece.

Subbing in an Orchestra

Be Early
Be Quiet, If you warm-up, do it very quietly and just a scale or to. Do not show off.
Always be prepared and never sound bad.

Orchestral Etiquette

Page Turns and cleaning of the instrument should be done quietly, and not during solos.

Positive Traits in Musicians

2nd flute: blend your sound with the first flute, not too much vibrato
Piccolo: Opposite of 2nd flute since it is a solo part. Play the part with no fear.
Watch and move with the first player. If you have to, have your chair farther back then theirs.

Dress Code

Since I am a guy, this section didn't apply to me, however, the basic message was that you should look professional. A few stories were shared about people who were showing bellies or too much leg. This discussion was for both the orchestra and auditions.