I'm interested in hearing about everyone's worst experience in an audition. I've had my share of bad auditions (casting director on phone, someone walking in mid crying, etc.). It would make me feel a whole lot better knowing other out there have been treated that way too.
top of page
AUDITION FORUM
bottom of page
During my audition for the Atlanta Symphony, the fire alarm went off five minutes before I had to play. They told everyone to freeze in place, then they said it was a false alarm. So I went on stage and played my first two snare drum excerpts. Then they stopped me because they could hear someone practicing Shostkovich 10 from one of the practice rooms. I stood on stage for 5 minutes before they let me start again. Very frustrating.
This website is primarily for orchestral audition conversations, so I'm guessing most forum members are not going to have any stories that are relatable to what you're describing. There are no casting directors in orchestras, for example. It's an entirely different process than a vocal or theater audition.
While auditioning certainly is a very difficult and often brutal process, it sounds like you may be a little too focused on the negative aspect of these experiences. Everyone has played bad auditions, but I'm not sure how constructive it would be to "hear everyone's worst experience in an audition." Instead, I try to view each audition as a learning experience - a milestone along my journey toward becoming a better musician. Hope this is helpful!