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It is of utmost importance to musicians, managers, and conductors that auditions be conducted in accordance with guidelines ensuring competition that is fair to all who audition while providing the best results for orchestras seeking musicians.
Therefore, the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM), and the Major Orchestra Managers Conference (MOMC) propound the following ethical and fair audition practices to which all parties should adhere, subject to local contractual considerations.
1. Notices of auditions should be given only for genuine vacancies, including newly created positions, which the management intends to fill as a result of those auditions, with no predeterminations having been made as to who will be hired. Musicians taking such auditions should only do so with the intention of accepting the position if it is offered.
2. Auditions should be advertised in appropriate places, including the International Musician and the AFM central auditions office. Notices should be clear and complete, specifying the position intended to be filled by the auditions, the person to contact in response to the notice, and the dates that applications are due and that auditions will be held. Notices should appear far enough in advance of auditions for interested musicians to apply and to adequately prepare.
3. All applicants should be sent written responses to their applications. Invited applicants should be sent clear instructions setting forth the date, time and place of the audition, the complete audition repertoire (excluding sight-reading repertoire), and parts for announced excerpts not generally available. All parts supplied by the orchestra should be legible and identical for all candidates.
4. Applicants should be given notice that if they choose not to attend the audition they should promptly notify the personnel manager or other designated person.
1. In preparing for and conducting auditions, all participants should be aware of policies and procedures governing those auditions, including this code.
2. Although the existence and composition of an audition committee and the nature and extent of its participation in auditioning and hiring is determined locally, musicians' involvement should at least include the initial screening of applicants.
3. Applicants should not be disqualified from auditioning on the basis of information about them obtained from current or previous employers or from other institutions to which they have applied.
4. Auditionees should be given sufficient time and, to the extent possible, adequate private facilities in which to warm up and practice.
5. Parts supplied by the orchestra for auditions should be in good condition, legible, and clearly marked as intended to be played at the audition.
6. There should be no discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, creed, national origin, religion, or sexual preference; steps ensuring this should exist in all phases of the audition process.
7. There should be reasonable accommodation for the handicapped.
8. Auditionees should be given opportunity and encouragement to comment, anonymously if desired, to the audition committee and management about the audition process.
9. Auditionees should be notified of their status in the audition process immediately upon such determination. Candidates under active consideration after auditions are completed should be so notified and given an estimated time of final decision.
10. Auditionees should be informed prior to auditions of the orchestra's policy regarding reimbursement of auditionees' expenses for additional stay or travel incurred at the request of management.
A joint committee of representatives of the Major Orchestra Managers Conference, ICSOM, and the AFM Symphony Department shall be established to oversee and review this code periodically.
(published in Senza Sordino Volume 23 #2, December 1984)