About a month ago a percussionist asked about taking auditions while still in the tenure process - I believe he was from Stockholm. Well if you took down the post due to lack of response - here is my 2 cents (just realize there isn't a cents key on my computer! hmmm)

If you love where you are (the orchestra & the city) - no don't do it.

If you hate where you are (the orchestra and/or the city) - absolutely do it - they probably can tell that you don't like it and that could factor into their decision.

If you are just worried, but see some good opportunities - I would proceed with great caution.

What I mean is - if the audition you are interested in taking would not involve you asking for time off - do it. If it does require you asking for time off and it seems like an opportunity you would hate to miss out on - then I might (emphasis on might) ask to meet with the Music Director to discuss how he/she feels things are going. Some orchestras the concert master would be involved in this type of discussion; therefore, you may want to ask the concert master about this, or even start with your section leader (unless you are the principal). I wouldn't just ask these people their opinion - they ultimately don't matter - its the MD....so when speaking with the others be clear that you want an official meeting. In addition, make it clear that the purpose is for you to know what they are thinking and the areas that they might want you to work on. I know of many musicians that had several of these types of meetings before the got tenure (but in one case they ultimately did not). In these meetings issues of concern were discussed as well as how to improve on the issues.

Anyway - good luck.

Also - if anyone has any thoughts on what I think - dicussion is always welcome; I know my opinion is just that and in other orchestras people could be thinking totally different things that me.

well, someone did actually read that. how exciting. i ended up deleting the post due to lack of response. i was really just curious as to what peoples' different experiences and thoughts were. i have noticed that a lot of people have do that - win a job (a good job) and continuing, almost immediately, to take other auditions.

my personal situation was that i wanted to make sure i kept this job before thinking about moving on. it had nothing to do with liking or not liking my current job but rather eventually i want to move on and there were several great opportunities that came up which won't open up again in my life time. they just happen to come at a touchy time during my tenure process and it was going to be hard to take the time off without the orchestra thinking i wanted to get out (hard to explain). there was no music director to talk with so that option didn't exist for me.

thanks for the input though! very interested to hear other peoples thoughts.

Hi, I will say from my experience that it looks very bad to ask for time off from your new job to try for a "better" job. It's insulting to the people who just added you to their orchestra. Although, if you just won a job that pays $19,000, and your going for a job that pays $91,000, they might be happy to let you try.