Posted by Rick Denney on May 13, 2003 at 13:07:47:
In Reply to: Re: Re: teens auditioning in pro orchestras posted by related question on May 13, 2003 at 12:03:20:
I doubt that the winner of an audition can tell you whether or not he will accept the job, because he doesn't yet know what is being offered. The audition is there so that the orchestra can find out who is good enough. The subsequent offer (of a real position with real compensation starting on such-and-such date, and so on) provides the applicant with an opportunity to see if the orchestra is good enough.
We have already learned that tuba players typically get more than the base contract amount, so it is likely that the decision of how much to offer over that amount depends on the qualifications and performance which is demonstrated at the audition. Perhaps recent winners thought that the offer might be better than it turned out to be, at which time they would turn it down.
This process is common in industries where the selections are made based on skill and not on cost. It is exactly how engineering firms are selected for public projects in many states. Applicants are ranked on skill first, and then a contract is negotiated. Negotiations sometimes fail and the client goes to the second-ranked applicant.
Rick "thinking that orchestras are competing for the best talent in addition to auditioners competing for the best orchestras" Denney