To those who have had experience with having resumes rejected:

What did you do to get an audition time if you were originally denied one? If you feel you are more than qualified for a position and think you deserve an audition, what would you recommend as a course of action? I hear this happening all the time-- people's resumes rejected when a) they are clearly qualified based on their experience listed and b) some people that have been invited may not be nearly as qualified... meaning they weren't consistant in their resume screening.

In this particular case, the orchestra has asked the person to make a tape. We all know how tough it can be to record a tape especially when time is limited and prior travel plans make it even more impossible.

Input would be greatly appreciated!

I think if they give you the option of making a CD, you pretty much have to make a CD. Some orchestras won't even give you that option. I do think in most situations that the CDs are listened to fairly. The only other thing to do is have your famous teacher call the orchetra and tell them that their time won't be wasted if they hear you.

Keep in mind that there are MANY qualified people who will be asked to make a tape if they receive over 300 resumes and can only hear one day of prelims. . . of course my question is, if the orchestra knows the position is going to attact such a high number of candidates, can't they try and add more days of prelims?

I agree with Dreamgirl - if your friend wants to take the live audition, but was requested to make a CD - you must make a CD. In fact, the request may not have anything to do with "their qualifications" rather factors based on cost or availability of the orchestra. For all you know all "qualified" applicants were requested to make a CD in an effort to weed down the field for a live audition. This saves time and money of both applicants and the orchestra.

I have heard people sound off on this topic before and just thought to add my unsolicited two cents. I wouldn't take it personally if an orchestra wants you to send a CD.Fair as a cattle-call audition is theoretically, with so many people and an exhausted and often split committee, good people perhaps having an off day or excerpt can slip through the cracks and this is a way to try to avoid that situation. This way, you can give the people who invested their time and energy to come to an audition a little more time and personal attention. To be honest, I wish more orchestras would do this at times. I think it saves auditioning people time and money.

Thanks for the input so far. I am more interested to here what people have done to get invited. I understand it's nothing personal and it is normal to screen resumes and ask for tapes. However, there are times when it's not very possible to spend the time making a tape whether it's because you're traveling for the next month or because you're coming from over seas and it's difficult to wait so long to make flight arrangements.

I had my resume rejected a few times and then was invited. All I did was say to someone (teacher or later in life a highly regarded musician (not always of the same instrument) who was familiar with my work ethic and product) to write a letter of recommendation for me and to send it to the orchestra in question. I never asked to see what they wrote, but it always worked. One audition, it seemed that you had to have at least a masters degree and your schooling be from one of the big conservatories - I only had a bachelors from a University, but my applied teacher was awesome. For this audition, not only did they invite me, but I made the finals and I was personally thanked for being persistent and attending the audition.

I learned from this experience a few things things:
1-be persistent, never give up - but if they say no a second time - respect it.
2- never ask someone to help you in this situation unless you are already at a point in your preparation that you feel extremely confident about your preparation thus far. If you have not really started to prepare, do not ask someone else to put their reputation on the line for anything less than 200% effort on your part.
3- when you ask someone to write for you, but sure to ask in a way that they can feel comfortable to say no - it is not just your reputation on the line here. The person you ask will appreciate that you are giving them an option.
4- if you are invited after an initial rejection - you must go and you MUST play at the highest level you can imagine as you can. Someone put their neck on the line for you and you want to honor that (and get the job).

Also realize that if you get the committee to change their mind about inviting you and then they somehow find out that you, their exception, really sucked...they will be hesitant to be flexible like this in the future: Hence, you are jeopordizing the possibilities of others in the future.

Again----just my thoughts - they are what they are.
W2

quote:

Originally posted by dreamgirl:

Keep in mind that there are MANY qualified people who will be asked to make a tape if they receive over 300 resumes and can only hear one day of prelims. . . of course my question is, if the orchestra knows the position is going to attact such a high number of candidates, can't they try and add more days of prelims?

1 day of prelims for a position in a major group is ridiculous, they need at least 2 or 3. I personally don't like cattle-calls though & avoid them because i don't think it's a good idea at ALL to use "weed out" excerpts in 1st rounds. Sometimes you don't even get to play a solo (or much of one) because they try to cram so many people in, which i think is unfair & ridiculous for people's time (committee AND those taking the audition). This is why I HIGHLY prefer them to screen resumes because it's a nice middle ground. They can weed out some, but don't have to be super selective. Sure, some people might fall between the cracks if they don't look good on paper, but on the flipside, it could be vice versa. Either way, if someone needs an audition for "experience", they should just wait for one that's not as prestigious, or they can always do what Weiner2 suggested IF those individuals really feel they're qualified enough. I've never bothered though because there's usually something else around that same time I could audition for that doesn't screen resumes.

My advice would be to not be discouraged if and when your resume is rejected. I think that persistance will pay off. I am a good example of having your resume rejected for a major audition and I ended up with the job! I ended up having to have personnel manager of an orchestra I worked for a lot call for me, but it payed off in the end. My motto has always been never give up!
Cheers