What does it take to win an orchestra audition?
I was on the committee for the LA Phil's recent Associate Principal Viola audition. Every time I think back to everyone I heard play, the following phrase comes to mind:
Bonus points matter.
Let me explain what I mean by this. Of course, it's important for auditioners to accurately convey the music on the page. It's critical to play in time, in tune, and with the right character for a piece.
However, some musicians manage to go above and beyond the printed page. They show us they know the details that make their part work better in a performance. They show us that they know how their line fits into the bigger scheme of a piece. I call these details bonus points. And I'm here to tell you that bonus points make a big difference when the committee picks the winner.
Here are some examples:
In Don Juan, when you play the fast run up to the B natural on the downbeat of measure five, you need to play that note in tune. That's the standard. But if a player can ALSO play the note with a beautiful vibrato—bonus points!
In the Mendelssohn Scherzo, if the violist can play the two measures before B evenly and in tune, they've done well. But a musician who knows to taper off the phrase to the end of D—bonus points!
Musicians who get these details right are showing the committee that they understand the piece in context. They might know this from personal experience playing in an orchestra, or they might know this from studying with teachers who give smart advice. However they get this knowledge, these are the types of details that put a player ahead of the pack. These are the types of details that win auditions.
If you want to know more about what it takes to win an audition, I’m available to chat.
Happy practicing,
Mick @ The Viola Pro