JUST DO IT.

Seriously. Don’t expect much, except to learn from the experience.

Ideally, your first professional audition will be relatively near (driveable) or otherwise not a large financial investment. The idea is just to give yourself a feel for if this is something you want to seriously pursue.

1. Find your audition and apply.

Here are the websites I regularly check:

• musicalchairs.info
• mag.numop.us
• afm6.org/auditions (for northern California)
• afm47.org -Check the online publication of Overture magazine for postings (for Los Angeles)

Applying is usually very simple- send an email stating your interest in the position (be sure to specify which position), and attach your resume. Sometimes you will be asked to send a deposit check, which will be returned to you when you arrive at the audition.

2. Collect your music.

Get your rep list and double check that you have all of the parts. Sometimes orchestras will send you a copy of some of all of the required music. Often, you will have to compile a stack of music for yourself. Ideally, you order the full orchestral parts from Kalmus or a similar publisher, but if you are short on time or money, excerpt books are fine (if they have all of the measures you need). This is also a time to hit up your flute friends for help if you are really in a crunch.

Next, make a playlist with recordings of each of the pieces on the rep list. Again, ideally you have multiple recordings of each to get a good idea of tempo and style. Try to choose orchestras and conductors whose names you recognize. Maybe even try to figure out who the flute player is!

3. Make travel arrangements (flight, hotel, car).

DO NOT make any plans or arrangements until you have been officially invited to the audition.

It may happen that you are not invited to the audition based on your resume. If this happens, it’s not a big deal. It happens to me too. Have a mentor review your resume to be sure it is representing you well, then just keep sending your resume and applying until you are invited.

Once you are invited, make your travel arrangements.

I always prefer to arrive the day before, as auditions are often early in the morning. They may not reveal the start time until it is close to the date of the audition, so I always feel more comfortable arriving the day before. It allows room for error, and gives me time to settle in the new location.

If you have a job, be sure to appropriately arrange for you to have the day(s) off.

4. Prepare.

Give yourself as much time as you can to prepare-  be mindful of any additional responsibilities during your preparation time.

Ask for help from your teacher- ideally someone with experience playing in an orchestra and winning an audition themselves.

Listen to the music- at least the entire movement that the excerpt comes from.

Mentally prepare. There are so many resources out there to help with visualization and focus. Read a book, listen to a podcast, or use an app. Just include it as a part of the preparation.

Record yourself, and listen. Over and over.

5. Do the audition.

Show up early, and do your best… then congratulate yourself after you finish! I always get myself some ice cream.

6. Review

Email the orchestra and request feedback on your audition. Most of the time I haven’t received a response, but the few times I did, it was very insightful.

How did you feel? Did you have any strengths or weaknesses reveal themselves at the audition? Did you enjoy the process? Think about the audition, and write down some thoughts you had about your performance.

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That’s it! I’ve done about 20 professional auditions over a span of five years, and I feel like I have the audition routine down pretty smooth. At this point, my focus is on improving my preparation for the performance.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!

July 2019