St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

[jtuba]

There are some orchestras, as stated in the master agreements, that are still given a trial period when “winning” an audition. This starts before the tenure period begins. There was a western US orchestra that chose a “winner” who was given a trial period with the orchestra, and from what I heard, was dismissed a week later.

Another thing that could occur is that the contract doesn’t start until the 2026 season (which I believe was in the audition). The orchestra has likely contracted out the entire season with subs with the spot officially filled when the 2026 season starts.

Again, I can’t say either are the case here—but it is something to keep in mind. Gene said it well on his excerpt CD—there is a difference in winning a job and keeping a job.

This makes a lot of sense. I remember calling an orchestra after the final audition for their tuba opening and asked them who won the audition. The personnel director informed me that the winner was "so-and-so." I said, great, "so-and-so" got the job, to which the personnel director replied no, "so-and-so" won the audition. I wish I could remember the orchestra and musicians involved, but in fact, "so-and-so" did not get the job, someone else did.

I got ringed out years ago on the old board when someone was selling a horn that they said won the New Jersey Symphony. I mentioned that Derek used his PT 6P to win it, and apparently the guy selling the horn was a tubist with the West Point band, won the NJSO but turned it down, and Derek was offered the position (potentially the same day).

That guy being active duty back then, might not have had his commander approve a separation. Maybe a verbal agreement to separate then when they won the audition the boss backtracked on his word. Or a higher level commander from the band said no after the band said yes. All this is conjecture on my part.

What I do know is nobody has to let you out of an enlistment contract if they don't want to before the expiration date on that contract.

[graybach]

This makes a lot of sense. I remember calling an orchestra after the final audition for their tuba opening and asked them who won the audition. The personnel director informed me that the winner was "so-and-so." I said, great, "so-and-so" got the job, to which the personnel director replied no, "so-and-so" won the audition. I wish I could remember the orchestra and musicians involved, but in fact, "so-and-so" did not get the job, someone else did.

I got ringed out years ago on the old board when someone was selling a horn that they said won the New Jersey Symphony. I mentioned that Derek used his PT 6P to win it, and apparently the guy selling the horn was a tubist with the West Point band, won the NJSO but turned it down, and Derek was offered the position (potentially the same day).

That guy being active duty back then, might not have had his commander approve a separation. Maybe a verbal agreement to separate then when they won the audition the boss backtracked on his word. Or a higher level commander from the band said no after the band said yes. All this is conjecture on my part.

What I do know is nobody has to let you out of an enlistment contract if they don't want to before the expiration date on that contract.

http://forums.chisham.com/viewtopic.php?t=42371

Here’s the thread from that New Jersey Symphony audition. It includes the results and also why the person that originally won couldn’t take it, which is the reason stated above: he was in the West Point Band, and for whatever reason, did not get released to play in the symphony.