What does one do when their Resume is rejected - and there is no information about how you can appeal (you know, the usual, write a letter, ask a well-known professional to write a letter etc.). When the letter basically says they will shred your deposit check, and that's that, how do you proceed if you still really want to take the audition? Isn't there some kind of AFM clause that if you turn up they have to hear you? Thanks! I'm asking on behalf of a friend....

That whole thing about an AFM rule is a myth - each orchestra can determine for itself who they want to hear. I would try calling the personnel manager and trying to get as much information as you can (ie, how many people are they inviting, what criteria they used for screening, etc.) That's worked for me in the past.

Exactly. Sometimes, just the fact that you called is enough to get some personnel managers to change their minds.

When it isn't, ask if it is possible to send a tape. Again, it works more often than you think.

I once got an "acknowledgement" from an orchestra that they had received my resume; I mistook that for an acceptance and bought a plane ticket. THEN a letter came requesting an audition tape! (At the time my resume was pretty sparse) So I called and explained, and asked if I could just be accepted. (I think I told them "well, I'm going to be there anyway.") The personnel manager said "Oh sure, no problem - actually, we just use that letter to weed out the people who aren't serious." So it's always worth a shot - you never know.

In some orchestras, it is not the PM who makes the decision of whether to invite or not. I know that in the case of our orchestra, especially for principal positions, resumes are vetted first by the Auditions Committee. They make the decisions who to invite, not the PM.

However, if someone feels strongly about playing for an audition, especially if it is not for a "big" position, I would certainly follow rdmtimp's suggestion of calling the PM to get more info and see if reconsideration is an option.

quote:

Originally posted by rdmtimp:
That whole thing about an AFM rule is a myth - each orchestra can determine for itself who they want to hear. I would try calling the personnel manager and trying to get as much information as you can (ie, how many people are they inviting, what criteria they used for screening, etc.) That's worked for me in the past.

This may be true in certain states, but i've always heard that in "right to work states", you have the "right" to audition (though I think there can still be exceptions to this rule). I'm not exactly sure which ones are besides the one i'm in, but i would have your friend check up on that.

If i were in this situation (leave the "right to work state" out of this for a second), I would definitely follow up on it & see if they would let me in. I've heard of many instances where people simply sent an email expressing their desire to audition & got to play with no problems. However, some orchestras can still give a flat out "NO", no matter what. It's worth a shot though.

oh yeah, I remember being at an audition and someone (a friend of mine actually) showed up and told me she was going to see if they'd let her in. She walked up to the table and said "I'd like to audition." They gave her a slot and she ended up being runner-up. This was like 20 years ago, but it just goes to show.

My resume has been rejected in the past. I was never instructed about any appeal process, but I would have someone send them a letter asking them to change their decision and why the person feels that way. The letter writer should be a high profile musician who is familiar with your ability as a musician, work ethic and ability to do the job you are applying for. It has always worked for me. Good luck!