Double Bass Solo vs. Orch rep for auditions

[Neil Pye]

I knew I'd get a response with that one. Take it easy, Ilia. I'm looking for info and am trying to understand the logic. I get the reality of auditioning and the necessity of the solo but in terms of the actual job the value of spending all of that time learning something that you won't use much in the day to day of orchestra playing is kind of unfortunate. If you love that rep and want to continue playing it that's great, but how many want to do that? Like I say, I'm just trying to understand the rationale of something that doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but that applies to a lot of things.

I think the point we're all missing here is that maybe orchestras want musicians, not necessarily section members. It's relatively easy to learn to be a good section member, but if you can't make music, however well you can play excerpts and sight read, you're probably not going to make it. As someone who is thinking about starting back into the whole audition game, and having run auditions for amateur orchestras, the solo rep is the opportunity to express yourself and show that you have something worth expressing

 

[Bruce Calin]

I think the point we're all missing here is that maybe orchestras want musicians, not necessarily section members. It's relatively easy to learn to be a good section member, but if you can't make music, however well you can play excerpts and sight read, you're probably not going to make it. As someone who is thinking about starting back into the whole audition game, and having run auditions for amateur orchestras, the solo rep is the opportunity to express yourself and show that you have something worth expressing

Having been a principal and section member, I'm not sure it's so easy. I also don't believe it's necessary to be a musical robot in the section,or that excerpts or any other part of the audition can't be played musically. I agree that solo playing can be a good indicator of expression and musicianship of a certain type, but it may not indicate some of the qualities needed to play most effectively in the section. The reality of auditioning is that the auditioner has to have solo chops, but the actual job needs additional qualifications. I would hope that the audition committee would also listen for these.

 

[Neil Pye]

Having been a principal and section member, I'm not sure it's so easy. I also don't believe it's necessary to be a musical robot in the section,or that excerpts or any other part of the audition can't be played musically. I agree that solo playing can be a good indicator of expression and musicianship of a certain type, but it may not indicate some of the qualities needed to play most effectively in the section. The reality of auditioning is that the auditioner has to have solo chops, but the actual job needs additional qualifications. I would hope that the audition committee would also listen for these.

Nothing in my post suggested that ALL you need is ability to play solo rep, just that the qualities of a good section member are relatively easily learned for someone who has the discipline and skills to play solo rep to that standard. No orchestra in the world wants to hire people who lack technical ability or a wide range of musicianship, but from experience it's not too difficult to coach the skills of a good section member.