The Audition

I'm excited to report that I auditioned for and got the spot of Principal Second Violin for the Houston Civic Symphony!  This is for a three year term, assuming we are not moving or anything happens.

I'll be starting my third season with the group this fall.  And just in case you're getting this confused with the Houston Symphony, you can rest assured there is a difference.  One of those is that we are all-volunteer.  One of these days I'll figure out a way to actually get paid for my talents...

I was pretty calm during the audition, even though it was hotter than blazes in the room we were in and it was already 8:30 at night.  At least it was face-to-face instead of a blind audition (meaning you're behind a screen and you can't make a sound or they'll know who you are or at least your gender etc.).  Some people like them because they don't have the judges staring you down.  Not me.  I REALLY don't like blind auditions because I can't make myself at ease by introducing myself and being able to ask questions if I need to.

Due to a few requests, I am reluctantly posting my live-audition audio recording.  Just promise that you'll ignore my hideous scale since I played it first to get out the jitters (which somewhat worked) and also note that some of the excerpts were site-read.  I can hear every mistake on it, so please be nice to my ego and only share with me your compliments :).

I am technologically challenged, so I hope this Google Doc link works:  audition recording.

And for your viewing pleasure, here is a fantastic picture of my violin maker, Charles Jean Baptiste Collin-Mezin.  He has amazing chops.