Morgensterns and the Musicians' Union (MU) are pleased to announce that we are launching three pilot Orchestral Audition Masterclasses in January and February 2013 to help musicians with professional orchestral experience refine their orchestral audition skills.

Participants will perform orchestral excerpts to a panel of experienced orchestral principals and an audience. They will then, crucially, receive feedback and suggestions on their performance - something which rarely happens at a professional orchestral audition.

Please complete our Application Form if you would like to take part in our Audition Masterclass series. Places are still available for the masterclasses listed below, and we are also building up a reserve list for future masterclasses.

The pilot masterclasses will take place on
• January 13th 2013: 10am - 1pm (RCM, strings masterclass)
• January 13th 2013: 2.30am - 5.30pm (RCM, strings masterclass)
• January 31st 2013: 10am - 1pm (Fairfield Halls, Croydon, brass)
• January 31st 2013: 2.30am - 5.30pm (Fairfield Halls, Croydon, woodwind)
• February 10th 2013: 10am - 1pm (RCM, strings & woodwind)
• February 10th 2013: 2.30am - 5.30pm (RCM, woodwind masterclass)

Principal Viola at the LSO Edward Vanderspar says: "You need instant focus and poise, both technically and musically, to be able to play your best in such a challenging and judgmental environment as an Audition"

Please click below to reserve audience tickets
• session 1 tickets
• session 2 tickets
• session 3 tickets
• session 4 tickets
• session 5 tickets
• session 6 tickets

MU National Organiser Diane Widdison says: "Audition Masterclasses are an exciting contribution to the MU commitment to providing Continuing Professional Development to all members"

Orchestral Audition Masterclasses - Proposal

'What other profession gives you the opportunity to do what you are passionate about, namely to perform wonderful music with some of the world's greatest artists - from David Oistrakh to Evgeny Kissin, and for legendary conductors like Maazel, Sawallish, Svetlanov, Sanderling. I have also had the opportunity to travel all over the world, including trips to the Urals, Brunei, Japan - something I would never have done by myself.'  Morgensterns questionnaire respondent

With opportunities like these, it's not difficult to understand why there's so much competition to succeed in the orchestral profession. It's not just orchestral work that provides employment - successful players are also booked for sessions, shows, cruises and function music.

Musicians trained at UK institutions are also a valuable cultural export, with players employed by orchestras all around the world. We have clients working throughout Europe, and with orchestras in the Far East such as the Malaysian and Hong Kong Philharmonics.

Training opportunities for young musicians

However, as many musicians discover, just being a good player is no guarantee of success in the orchestral world because, unlike most other professions, there is no obvious career structure leading from apprenticeship to the top of the profession.

This means that players not only have to practice hard to maintain a high standard of playing, they also have to develop a commercial instinct - they have to learn how to promote and manage their careers. In effect, they are running a small business, the product they are selling is their skill as a musician and their personality.

This is the reason why all the major music colleges run professional development departments. Their aim is to help prepare students for the business aspect of postgraduate life.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Our Audition Masterclasses proposal has been developed to provide a continuing professional development resource for musicians at this critical moment in their career, when they feel ready to expand their orchestral horizons, and would benefit from the advice of trusted colleagues to help them to achieve their aims.

The question is, who to turn to for advice?

We always point out that although there is no structured path to success in the orchestral world, this does not mean that there is nothing that a musician can do to further their career.

One of the most important pieces of advice we give is to take consultation lessons with experienced orchestral players. These are musicians who can give valuable insights and guidance into the techniques a professional orchestral player needs to focus on to expand their orchestral network.

The problem is that it's not always easy to make contact with busy orchestral players who, quite naturally, want to protect their time and privacy.

Audition Masterclasses Proposal

Our proposal is to provide audition masterclasses for professional orchestral players, giving them the opportunity to perform orchestral excerpts in front of a panel of experienced orchestral players, and a fixer if possible, in a professional but non-competitive environment. Please click here for a list of orchestral principals who have agreed to be panellists.

The panel will listen to the musicians perform orchestral excerpts and then comment on all aspects of their presentation including the quality of their preparation and playing. We anticipate each performance slot lasting about 20 minutes.

How do Audition Masterclass differ from normal orchestral auditions, or from music college training auditions?

The proposed Audition Masterclasses are arranged for the benefit of the participants, and are designed to take place at a time when, having already started out on their professional orchestral careers, they are now looking for expert advice to expand their orchestral network, and to help realise their full potential as orchestral players.

Educational

We are hoping to provide participants with a recording of their contribution to the masterclass for future reference.

CPD for orchestral musicians

Each masterclass will have it's own flavour, because panelists, being associated with different orchestras, will have different expectations from musicians applying to work with their orchestra. For example, good sight reading may be essential for a Symphony orchestra, but not quite so important for an opera or ballet orchestra.

However it will be expected that all participants prepare their orchestral excerpts properly for the masterclasses - one experienced orchestral player, consulted about the project, commented that 'although the masterclasses are supposed to be non-competitive, participants will be playing to a panel of professionals who will send you packing if you do not prepare properly.'

Client feedback (please see below) suggests that the Audition Masterclass idea is not just attractive to musicians who have recently joined the profession, but also for experienced professionals who might be planning for their retirement from an orchestra and looking for help with preparing for auditions, and also for players re-joining the profession after taking time out.

Workshops

How can orchestras benefit?

The masterclasses are there to provide a valuable educational resource for musicians looking to improve their audition technique.

CPD for orchestras

An experienced moderator would lead these orchestral training sessions, advising panelists on best recruitment practice.

It is worth noting that, as this is not an official orchestral audition, panelists should not feel constrained by the legal requirements of the official recruitment process and they should feel free to comment on, and evaluate the performances of participants.

Panelists will be required to complete participant evaluation forms for each participant. A copy of their evaluation form (see below) will be given to each participant and the originals will be retained by Audition Masterclass management for future reference.

Conservatoire Alumni Departments

What does the audience gain?

Why is Morgensterns involved?

Morgensterns is a booking agency for orchestral and session musicians, with a client base of 500 experienced freelance musicians (see www.morgensterns.com). Because we work closely with orchestral musicians, we have a keen interest in helping them to promote their careers.

We have an outstanding client-list of musicians who work for all the major UK orchestras, west end show orchestras, session orchestras and for many international orchestras.

We are well known in the orchestral world for providing both musicians and orchestras with a super-efficient and proactive service. Because of this we are in regular contact with fixers from orchestras throughout the UK and Europe, and so we are able to talk to members of the orchestras' management to encourage them to embrace this initiative.

We work in collaboration, not in competition, with the institutions, such as orchestras and conservatoires, we would like to involve in the scheme, and so our hope is that we are in a position to generate widespread interest in this initiative.

Project Administration

It is already proving to be of interest to our clients, so we are looking for opportunities in collaboration with orchestras and other leading UK music institutions to trial the masterclasses in 2012 and early 2013.

To discuss the project further, please contact Julian Morgenstern at 020 8681 0555 or at teleteam@morgensterns.com

Morgensterns essential diary management services...
Who are Morgensterns? read more
Morgensterns Diary Service is more than a simple musicians answering service and more than a simple musicians diary service. Morgensterns is a booking agency for orchestral and session musicians, with the special advantage of an outstanding client list and an expert teleteam who actively seek work for clients through our unique suite of fixer support services, our availability list service, who's doing my date list service and through our finely tuned, instantly responsive computerised diary management systems. Our teleteam are dedicated to offering clients, and the the fixers who book through Morgensterns, a caring, personal service where you're always a name, never just a number. Over the past 20 years we've established excellent relationships with all the leading UK orchestral and session fixers. And our unique suite of fixer support services generate a lot of work for our clients. And when fixers place bookings through Morgensterns, our teleteam strive to offer clients the highest possible professional representation - they're always evaluating options from a client's perspective. It's this special combination of efficiency, sense and sensitivity that makes Morgensterns so successful. "The great thing about Morgensterns is that they offer me choice. Their Teleteam refer dates, even when there are clashes in my diary - it means I'm always in control of my work. That's why I've been a client for over 20 years’ David Stewart, Bass Trombone.

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We respond quickly with your bookings Our reputation's built on our responsiveness - and as soon as we receive an enquiry, our teleteam jump into action. We'll try to contact you immediately, by telephone, mobile, email, fax and text, wherever you are in the world. It's always been important to our clients that we pass on their bookings fast - it's our speed that puts them in control of their work. And we're always happy to relay your replies to fixers. If the fixer needs to see a client profile, we can generate one, instantly, from our diary database, which shows an up-to-the-minute "snap shot’ of your recent work history. And, of course, there are also the 100's of client work-profiles available on our web site. "If I had the time, energy or talent to manage the complex, and all too often conflicting demands of my diary, then I would do it myself. How fortunate then, that I am able to delegate this onerous responsibility to Morgensterns. They provide me with a friendly and exceptionally professional service, which additionally benefits from an extraordinary instinctive touch, and a perceptive understanding of my own detailed requirements." Leon Bosch (Double Bass).

How do I keep Morgensterns up-to-date with my diary? read more

It's easy to keep Morgensterns up-to-date. Simply call, email or fax your diary to keep us up-to-date with your commitments. Please include date, time, orchestra and venue, for input to our database. Going away on holiday or for a family event? Please tell us that too. That's all you need to do. We then use our constantly updated database to put fixers in contact with the players they want to book, fast - for anything from a one-off gig, to an entire season's work. Remember, we need the most current, detailed information possible to do our bit properly. Ok, so how do you deal with clashes? We always refer all work, including clashes, directly to you, leaving you free to make up your own mind as to which gig to accept. Our mission has always been to provide an administration that puts you in full control of the work you want to accept, at all times. And that's just for starters. We also offer the benefit of all our other computerised fixer support services plus knowledgeable support and advice, should you need it, to help make sure that not only you, but also your career are heading in the right direction. "As a freelance musician, and orchestral manager, I find Morgensterns very helpful and understanding." Paul Allen (Orchestral Manager, English National Ballet)

Do I need to keep my Morgensterns diary up-to-date? read more

It's essential, for the efficient management of your diary, that you keep your Morgensterns up-to-date. After all we're a diary service, and Fixers expect us to know about the engagements you have in your diary. The following Morgensterns services depend on us holding accurate client diaries • Dealing efficiently with fixer booking requests • Providing accurate Availability-Lists • Providing accurate Who's Doing My Date Lists • Providing clients with backup diaries if they mislay their personal diaries • Ensuring your web profile work history is up-to-date Remember, we need the most current, detailed information possible to do our bit properly. "I remember talking to you some years ago when you were planning your new diary service, and I am very grateful now for its existence and for the way you run it. Your support in times of crisis has always been invaluable to the NSO, and your reliability and professional, but personalised service, is immensely appreciated by all of us here." Anne Collis, (National Symphony Orchestra, Managing Director)

What's special about your Availability-Lists, and how can they help me? read more

In a world where depping is so prevalent, you can imagine how busy we are providing musicians and fixers with our Availability List solutions. In fact they are one of our most heavily used services, and they enable us to take fixers through a comprehensive, A - Z list of client availabilities, for any category of instrument they require for their dates. Availability Lists increase your exposure and the chances of securing more work.     My surname ‘W’   Do you bother to look at all the options when you run through a list with a fixer? Most certainly, it's only fair that we do so! Our policy has always been to review all the players listed to give the fixer a complete picture of who might be available to accept their work. "Morgensterns are discreet, professional and knowledgeable, and I trust them 100%." Edward Vanderspar (principal viola, LSO)

What is a Who's-Doing-my-Date-List? read more

Who's Doing my Date Lists, are invaluable when an emergency strikes... "my car is playing up and I need a lift to the gig in Birmingham today. Can anyone help me out?". They're also valued by fixers when, for example, a rehearsal venues change, and the fixer needs a quick way to identify the clients Morgensterns teleteam need to contact - another reason why it's important to keep diaries up-to-date. "... the care you and your staff take with my diary, and your consistently high quality service. These are my reasons for staying with Morgensterns since your books opened" Christopher Gunia (Morgensterns first client)

How do Web Profiles and iCal calendars work? read more

Web Profiles Just email your cv, biog, photos and any sound files you want to have played from your profile and we will do the rest. Web profiles automatically include orchestral bookings from your diary, so this is another reason why it’s important to keep your diaries up-to-date iCal If you want to import your Morgensterns diary into your calendar application, call us and we'll email you a .ics calendar file which you'll need to import into your calendar. Please make sure you import into a new calendar, otherwise you run the risk of overwriting dates in your existing calendar. "It's so reassuring to know that our requests are dealt with immediately and that you keep us informed on progress." David Wilson (Orchestral Manager, London Mozart Players)

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We’re open from 8am to midnight - seven days a week (with the exception of Christmas Holidays). "Morgensterns provide a fantastic service!" Jane Moss (fixer and previously Orchestral Manager, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) "It's so reassuring to know that our requests are dealt with immediately and that you keep us informed on progress." David Wilson (Orchestral Manager, London Mozart Players)

What are your quarterly fees? read more

Morgensterns Diary Service operates on a membership basis, with every musician paying a fixed quarterly fee for access to all diary management, fixer support and career development services. Our fees are reasonable, thanks to the efficiencies of our management systems. Direct Debit: £130 plus VAT per quarter Cheque £140 plus VAT per quarter How does your Young Professionals Discount scheme? Musicians joining on our Young Professionals Discount scheme receive a 50% discount on their first year with Morgensterns, if they join with in two years of graduating from Music College or University. "I would not hesitate recommending Morgensterns diary service to other musicians" Mansel Bebb (Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestral Manager)