Well, it’s been quiet here at the blog for some time, so I thought it might be a good thing to tell you what I’ve been up to. I went down to Los Angeles this past Sunday to take the audition for the 3rd chair viola position (Assistant principal) of the Los Angeles Philharmonic on Monday. I didn’t win. Not even close. But I played well, and I was in plenty of good company, for this is a plum spot in arguably the best financially positioned orchestra in the world, with a great, iconic performing space, and the hottest young conductor in the world in his first year as music director.
Last week, someone on Twitter tweeted a line from the television program 30 Rock: “An audition is a grotesque carnival of human misery”. Truer words have never been spoken. No matter what you do as a performer – playing an instrument, singing, acting, even presenting a visual arts portfolio – being called out onto the stage to play little snippets of music as technically perfect, yet ineffably musical as possible while under the most intense pressures – including money, vanity, reputation, personal neuroses, disappointing your favorite teacher – is one of the most excruciating and unrewarding activities that humans voluntarily deign to undergo. A couple years ago I auditioned for a similar position with the Seattle Symphony, which you can read here, here, here and here. I’ll give no similar blow-by-blow this time, I just don’t have it in me. But I’ve emerged from another fruitless, grotesque carnival with my playing raised to a new level, and with a recital program beginning to form in my mind that I’m very excited to start working towards. Besides, I love my orchestra, the Oregon Symphony, my first and only real job as a musician, and I have many wonderful colleagues and friends that it would have pained me greatly to leave, so life goes on, and I am content.
Here are a few snapshots that I took during the afternoon after my role in the audition came to an abrupt end:
5 replies on “on auditioning”
Auditions. Always an experience, aren’t they?
Glad you’re back in one piece. Checked avidly for new posts these last few days. Sure you kicked ass. Caffeine again?
i LOVE the LAPhil. i ADORE esa-pekka salonen as composer, conductor and new music champion. i’ve heard that dudamel is flat-out a “conducting animal.”
i grew up in LA and couldn’t wait to get out. the incredible programming of the Phil has nearly prompted me to move back home.
not quite. i REALLY love Portland.
I have mixed feelings about your Los Angeles audition. I am sorry about the result but very glad that you will still be with the Oregon Symphony.
I agree with Curtis. We would miss you and your performing. Bob made another excellent point –– “nearly prompted me to move back home.
…not quite. i REALLY love Portland.”