So I guess I need to update my Orchestra pursuits!

It's been two weeks now since I auditioned.  In answer to the comment regarding what piece I played, I performed the last half of the Finale in the Carl Reinecke Flute Concerto in D. 

We are all our worst critic are we not?!  And I am my worst.  I played about at 3/4 of my ability.  I don't like making excuses, but I had them this time.  The room was warm and my mouth became completely dry.  Not just sort-of dry, but no moisture what-so-ever in my mouth dry.  I was trying to lick my lips during rests and swallow, hoping to produce more saliva, but it just wasn't happening.  When the air is passing over dry tongue and lips the tone is affected, and mine was.  And to top that all off, this room was a nightmare for beautiful sound.  The walls and high ceiling sucked all my sound into nothing.  No reverb, no nice echo of sound (this room was designed as a recording studio!).  So my rhaspy, airy, dry tone was left with nothing to "fill" it up.  And the further into the concerto I got, my mind started to tell me all of this.

I did fine technically.  I did fine in interpretation, but my tone lacked SO much.  After coming away from the audition I realized I should have stopped and told the five gentlemen that I really needed a drink of water.  This wasn't some high school all-state audition.  This was a professional gig and we were all adults.  They would certainly have excused me to get some water.  And I could have at least started on the last page.  If they had frowned on such a request, that would have been fine.  At least I could have had the opportunity to play my best.

Anyway, so I was disappointed that I didn't show them my real ability.  However, I did get a call sometime last week from the conductor (who is French Canadian and difficult to understand) and he invited me to play Flute 2 on the concert.  The piece that requires a 2nd flute is the overture to the Marriage of Figaro.  There are two other pieces on the concert--a string serenade and the Symphony No. 40 by Mozart.  I was really hoping to be able to play the Symphony--but it only calls for one flute.

So now my curiosity is up as to who is first flute.  Is it someone from the symphony 70 miles away (where the conductor is also director), or is it someone local.  I'm very curious.

Well, I just keep asking myself, what if I had done my best, would it have made a difference?  Would I have been asked to play the first part, and play on the Symphony?  I don't know.  I just regret that I didn't get to play my best.

But I'm not complaining, per se.  I'm glad to be playing at all and playing in the orchestra on some real music again!  AND getting paid!  Who knows, maybe they are going to "audition" each concert (four a year) and I'll get an opportunity on further concerts to play first.

Anyway, I am excited.  My sister-in-law was asked to play horn 2 on the overture as well.  Steve has not been contacted yet, but they do not require trombones on the first concert anyway.  They were only getting an idea of the talent in the area for future concerts.