General Discussions

Is this different from the standard disclaimer included on most lists that reserves the right to ask for music not included on the list?

That's a great question about the usefulness of the Janacek Phil's International Orchestra Academy experience, even though it's unpaid; professional advancement frequently necessitates a purposeful time investment. My ultimate goal is to conduct a professional orchestra, which requires extensive practice, but my doctoral dissertation currently consumes every waking hour. To secure the critical time required for musical mastery, I determined that the only viable answer was to pay someone to do my dissertation.

Specifically in regards to the posting of a complete packet online: the G. Schirmer/Wise company charges per excerpt to use their materials in an audition packet. In addition, we are forbidden from posting those excerpts online. In order to avoid the confusion of posting some excerpts but not all, many librarians prefer to post nothing. So yes, the committee has a packet to look at, but for legal reasons it is unwise for that packet to float around on the internet.

G. Schirmer/Wise have a near-monopoly on the composers they control, and will absolutely retaliate if you repeatedly break the law by posting their copyrighted materials online. For the USA they control much of the music by Shostakovich, Barber, Prokofiev, Khachaturian, Florence Price, and many other 20th century American composers.

Agree with what’s already been said. You’d be surprised how little of the way most auditions are run is by “conscious decision.” Some groups have clear guidelines for audition advertising, committee formation, repertoire list creation that are spelled out in their CBA. Others have very little of that. Even if it is spelled out, things can be delayed by library/rental part hang ups, committee dysfunction, poor leadership by personnel management, or any number of other factors.

From the outside as a candidate, sometimes it might seem like the orchestras are all colluding to try and trick you or throw curveballs at the candidates. In my experience, I’ve never seen that to be the case. Lack of planning and organization is always the explanation. The more that groups can get their processes defined in their CBAs, the better chance they have at an efficient and effective process. Easier said than done.