What is your audition style?
One of my biggest secrets is that I've only ever won one job in my life. And it was a huge blow when I found out later that I was only chosen because they really didn't want the other person, so they went with me and hoped there was nothing wrong with me. Not flattering, not confidence-inducing, and not what I needed to hear. Just when I thought I did things "right" to get the job, it turns out I didn't.
After 15 years of job searches, I often ask myself, "What am I doing wrong?" I never seem to be able to put my best foot forward artistically or say the right things personally. I'd be disappointed in my performance and give myself a failing grade.
Recently, I learned about Anna Papalia's 4 interview styles, and I saw myself in the "examiner." It all made sense.
Papalia explains, “Examiners look at an interview like a test they are either going to pass or fail. They want to get it right, focusing on professionalism and business.”
It made me think of myself. And it made me think of many conversations I've had with orchestral musicians who struggle with auditions. The dialogue frequently revolves around how we can get it "right" - Do I need to play flawlessly? Does one slip mean an automatic fail? Is technique or musicality more important? Should I play in a way that would blend into a section or stand out like a soloist? Is it being the "right" someone's student? How do I ace this? What is it that they want???
There are no right answers to any of these questions, but it doesn't stop us from asking the questions! Especially if we identify as "examiners."
Maybe you are not plagued by these questions, but desperately try to be liked or to demonstrate your qualifications in an interview or audition.
Papalia's research suggests that we all have a natural way we go about interviewing–and auditioning. And we all fall into one of 4 interview styles (read more here):
Charmers: “I want to be liked.”
Challengers: “I want to be me.”
Examiners: “I want to get it right.”
Harmonizers: “I want to adapt.”
These styles give us insight about our natural tendencies.
In the context of auditions, it could mean for the auditionee:
Charmers: “I want to play the excerpt with personality.”
Challengers: “I want to play the excerpt in an unconventional way.”
Examiners: “I want to play the excerpt perfectly.”
Harmonizers: “I want to play the excerpt in a way that this conductor prefers.”
Or as the audioner:
Charmers: “I want the person that likes me and I like them.”
Challengers: “I want the person who pushes against the status quo musically.”
Examiners: “I want the person who executes perfection like a machine.”
Harmonizers: “I want the person who is flexible and plays well with others.”
For both parties, we can reflect on whether these tendencies are doing us the most good.
For example, a charmer auditioner can notice when they easily gravitate toward auditionees who make them feel like they are liked. Examiner auditioners can see how they may over-value the numbers and facts. A challenger auditionee can realize they start off way too defensively.
I know that as an examiner, I can learn from the charmer to focus more on building a connection in addition to showcasing my skills. Papalia says examiners "often forget to make a connection. They don’t engage in small talk; they are very quiet, very private. They really have to open up more in interviews.” That's so me. I can also learn more from the bravery of the challenger to stand up for my point of view and show my true authenticity. Finally, I can learn from the harmonizer to demonstrate more adaptability instead of staying fixed.
When we take these four interview styles and see them as audition styles, we can more easily understand how we approach auditions and hiring musicians. We can be more aware of our natural tendencies, look for clues that tell us about the other party's tendencies, and make small adjustments accordingly.
Maybe that's the answer to the big question of "what is it that they want?" It depends on their audition style.
So, what is your audition style? How does knowing that help you move forward?
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