Hi folks,
I recently perused about 160 resumes that have been submitted for our principal trumpet audition here in Charlotte. I'm happy to say that we figured out how we could concievably hear everyone, so we won't be eliminating people based on their resumes.
However, there were a few things about how the resumes were put together that popped up often enough that I thought I'd post some pointers on the orchestral resume - mainly for the benefit of the newly aspiring pros out there.
Let me say again that no one was eliminated based on any of these things. I offer these bits of advice purely in the spirit of lighthearted professional guidance (FWIW):
__________________________________________________ ______________________
1. It's spelled "principal" not "principle". Like the person who ran the school.
2. If you've subbed with a big orchestra, know whether they are a "Symphony", "Philharmonic", or just "Orchestra". When someone says they've subbed with the "Cleveland Symphony", we sort of scratch our heads.
3. When you list groups you've played with, include dates.
4. Indicate if you played with a group as a sub/extra. If you just put "Chicago Symphony" you're not fooling anyone.
(BTW: this includes Civic and New World).
5. Orchestras usually ask for a 1-page resume. Please don't send a 7 page curriculum vita. Those are for teaching jobs. All we really need to know is your PROFESSIONAL orchestra experience.
If that is really light, include other professional ensembles you've played with, where you went to school and with whom you've studied (on a regular basis) and possibly list auditions you've advanced in or made the finals for. Here in Charlotte, if I see someone's been a finalist for New York Phil, etc., I'm impressed. (It probably doesn't matter as much to the bigger orchestras - I don't know). I know my own resume still includes any big jobs I've made finals for in the past couple of years.
The bottom line here is that if you don't have much experience, that will be clear regardless of what your resume says! Don't pad your resume with irrelevant stuff. If an orchestra is going to eliminate people based on resumes, it usually comes down to "do they have a job or not?". Listing all the masterclasses you've participated in won't increase your chances.
6. That whole thing at the top of the resume with "objective: ...." doesn't make much sense to me on an orchestral resume. I know it's standard on resumes for other fields, but I think you could leave it off of your orchestral resume. We already presume that you would like to win the job!
7. Keep it simple - no need for fancy colored paper or flamboyant fonts. Likewise any cover letter you include should be short and sweet. "I'm submitting my resume in application for your "......" position advertised in the recent International Musician (or wherever you saw the ad). Thank you for your consideration".
8. Be honest. This is a small, small world after all.
__________________________________________________ ______________________
Hope this is helpful. Thanks - and good luck!
Bob