Because I want a job with you.
Now for the serious answer.
I've been working on recording myself practicing. (Got some new equipment and I'm learning how to use it so I can show the kids how use it and incorporate it in my curriculum. Well, ok, it's fun, too!) Today after school I was doing the solo in the 3rd movement of the Piano Concerto. First take, it sounded way too slow and labored. I just couldn't quite find the right place for it tempo wise. I ended up at about quarter=113. I want to be sure I'm above where it might need to be so I have a reserve, and be in the right area.
More directly: I was eliminated in 2 auditions. 1 was lack of experience and preparation that got me released in round 1, (but...they person who won...Eric Berlin..he's a bear! I honestly had no idea what I was getting into there but learned pretty quickly) the other I got completely thrown off in the Ballerina Dance when they asked me to play the little triplet lick that happens before the snare solo. I added a fermata (why? couldn't answer that, honestly), miscounted the rest, and fell apart rhythmically from there. Never gonna happen again. If I have the chance again, I intend on being fully prepared for anything that comes at me. Not that I want to leave the bandroom behind; my interest is solely in a per-service gig outside the school day. I feel in pretty good shape, and don't want to lose it. A freind of mine asked me right before the last audition this question, and the conversation haunts me still:
"So, you must be in the best shape of your life right now, eh?" And honestly, Manny, I could not answer him with an emphatic "Yes." THAT did me in, and I don't ever want to go into an audition and not be able to make that statement.