MOCK AUDITION PROGRAM

APPLICATION PACK

DOUBLE BASS

CONTENTS

Page

Welcome & Program Information 1-3

Recording Tips 3-4

Excerpts 6Composer Work Part

Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet Bass 6Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet Bass 7Verdi Othello Bass 8

1

ORCHESTRA VICTORIA Mock Audition Program | 2020: Orchestral Instruments

Thank you for your interest in the Orchestra Victoria Mock Audition Program (OV MAP). It is

important that you read this material in detail. If you have any further enquiries, please

contact: OVMAP@australianballet.com.au

Welcome to the OV MAP Double Bass Book.

We are very excited to be launching this project, and we hope you enjoy polishing up these

excerpts.

We are very much looking forward to hearing your final recording, and seeing you at the

feedback meeting.

About the Program:

Orchestra Victoria’s Mock Audition Program (OV MAP), is a new interactive initiative

designed to give orchestral musicians an opportunity to prepare opera and ballet audition

excerpts and receive feedback from the musicians of Orchestra Victoria. This program is for

orchestral musicians aged 18 and over, based in Australia and New Zealand and is offered

at no cost to participants.

Orchestra Victoria is committed to connecting with our future colleagues, sharing opera and

ballet repertoire, and encouraging and supporting young players who are seeking

opportunities to practice their audition technique. This online program provides Orchestra

Victoria with a unique opportunity to engage with emerging professional musicians as never

before, in a personal, connected and highly accessible format.

About Orchestra Victoria:

Now in its fifth decade, Orchestra Victoria is one of Australia’s two specialist opera and ballet

orchestras. It is the performance partner of The Australian Ballet, Opera Australia and

Victorian Opera, and works with companies from across Australia and the world, delivering

more than 200 performances each year. Orchestra Victoria is committed to creating

opportunities for all Victorians to experience orchestral music, and also presents concerts

and education workshops in regional and outer metropolitan centres across Victoria.

2

How to Participate:

1. Apply online at: https://orchestravictoria.formstack.com/forms/ovmap_application_form

2. Prepare the excerpts in this application pack and record your video (instructions

overleaf)

3. Upload the video files by Friday 28 August 2020 (instructions overleaf)

4. Attend your live video feedback session with two musicians from Orchestra Victoria, to be delivered in September/October 2020.

KEY INFORMATION:

APPLICATION FORM:

Online application form: https://orchestravictoria.formstack.com/forms/ovmap_application_form

KEY DATES:

Applications close: Friday 28 August 2020 – recordings must be submitted by 6pm.

Video feedback dates released to participants: Monday 7 September 2020

Video feedback sessions: Monday 14 September – Wednesday 7 October 2020

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

All participants must be:

- Australian or New Zealand citizen or hold a visa that allows you to study and/or work in Australia.- Aged 18 years or older by Friday 28 August 2020.

If you are applying on more than one instrument/part you must submit a

separate application.

All enquires with regards to the OV MAP will be answered during business hours (9am - 5pm) in Australian Eastern Standard Time.

RECORDING REQUIREMENTS

Each participant must provide a recording of themselves performing the set excerpts.

- The recording must be both audio and video.

- The recording should be undertaken as a single take.

3

HOW TO SUBMIT A RECORDING

Electronic Transfer:

- The recording must be one of the following file formats: a. mp4b. wavc. ISO

- The file name must include the participant’s full name and instrument.

The file is to be uploaded to the Orchestra Victoria sharefile, located at

this website: https://australianballet.sharefile.com/r-ra4881ada16f4f10b

FEEDBACK PROCESS

The participant will receive a date and time to attend a 15-minute Microsoft Teams meeting

where they will be given feedback from a two-person panel from Orchestra Victoria. All

feedback meetings will be delivered in business hours.

Feedback will be constructive and based on Orchestra Victoria’s unique context as an opera

and ballet orchestra. All feedback is subjective in nature.

Submitted recordings will remain confidential and will only be reviewed by a member of

Orchestra Victoria’s management team and the two panel members assigned to the

participants.

OV MAP recordings do not replace the casual audition process.

Tips for preparation and recording:

Preparation:

- Listen to the excerpts (many recordings can be found for free on Spotify and YouTube).

Consider listening to a range of different versions, particularly those created by

orchestras/musicians that specialises in opera and ballet repertoire.

- Find a full score to look at your part in context. Many scores are available on IMSLP

Recording:

- Record in as quiet an environment as is available to you, using the best equipment you

have, which can include a smartphone or tablet. All recordings will be accepted and

receive a response, but a better quality video will help our musicians provide you with

more detailed and personalised feedback.

4

Please note: you can often improve the quality of audio by considering the placement of

your recording device in relation to your instrument. Have an experiment to see what

sounds best. Also, where possible, a dry acoustic in an uncluttered space is best to be

able to hear a true representation of your playing.

- Try to frame your video so that both you and your instrument are visible completely.

- Dress as you would for a live audition, as this can help to recreate a similar environment.

- Aim to record yourself at least a week from the deadline so that you have time to review

your recording and address any issues uploading, should they arise. Please feel free to

get in touch via OVMAP@australianballet.com.au if you have any questions about this

process.

- Consider recording a test run to check the you are happy with the quality of the audio and

video before sending it through.

5

In accordance with conditions regarding Orchestra Victoria auditions, certain limitations and restrictions apply.

This audition book:

• is to be utilised solely for the purpose of your Mock Audition Program submission;

• is not to be copied in any manner;

• shall be maintained under your sole control and possession

Thank you.

6

ORCHESTRAL EXCERPTS PROKOFIEV, SERGEI Romeo and Juliet Double Bass

EXCERPT 1 Act III No.43 Adagio

7

PROKOFIEV, SERGEI Romeo and Juliet Double Bass

EXCERPT 2 Act III No.48 Andante

8

VERDI, G. Othello Double Bass

EXCERPT 3 Act IV