Behind the Screen
29 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 3 years ago -Do you remember auditioning for 'first chair' back in high school band? Professional orchestral auditions are an entirely different beast, and host/violist JT Kane brings you world-class guests and a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at this incredibly competitive process. Produced by bassoonist Matt Corey and sponsored by www.insightfortheblind.org
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Episodes
BTS Episode 28 - Matt Howard
July 22, 2021 11:30 - 52 minutes - 71.6 MBIn our final episode of Season 2, we welcome the Principal Percussionist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Matt Howard. Matt is from Los Angeles and he talks to us about his experience taking an audition for his hometown orchestra, and how he wasn’t invited the first time (we’ve heard this before from several of our other guests). He lets us in on his routine for taking auditions, what it’s like being on the other side of the screen listening to auditions, but also, he talks about br...
BTS Episode 27 - Ricardo Morales
July 08, 2021 11:30 - 42 minutes - 58.3 MBRicardo Morales, Principal Clarinet of the Philadelphia Orchestra is our guest on this episode of Behind the Screen. Before winning his position with Philly, Ricardo was Principal Clarinet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. He talks about his experiences with both auditions as well as sitting behind the screen when listening to auditions. He talks about how to prepare for an audition and what he believes the panel is listening for and what is the differentiating factor when choosi...
BTS Episode 26 - Carol Jantsch
June 24, 2021 11:30 - 49 minutes - 68.2 MBCarol Jantsch, Principal Tuba of the Philadelphia Orchestra joins us on Behind the Screen to talk about her experience with taking, and winning, her audition with the Philadelphia Orchestra – while she was still in college!! As we’ve heard before from other guests, she wasn’t invited the first time. How did she win? Carol lets us in on what she works on with her students who are preparing for auditions, and their routines. We talk about being on the other side of the screen, what it...
BTS Episode 25 - Michael Sachs
June 10, 2021 11:30 - 49 minutes - 68.3 MBMichael Sachs, Principal Trumpet of The Cleveland Orchestra joins us on Behind the Screen to talk about auditions (imagine that…). Mike won his position back in 1988 but he wasn’t initially invited! Listen in to how he ended up finally being invited and how he was able to win. Mike talks to us about how playing is very physical, and he equates practicing to training for the Olympics and having proper fundamentals. Mike has three words that he wants to hear when listening to an audit...
BTS Episode 24 - Demarre McGill
May 27, 2021 11:03 - 46 minutes - 63.7 MBDemarre McGill, Principal Flute of the Seattle Symphony joins us on Behind the Screen. Demarre walks us through his audition successes, and how he prepares for them. He talks about his philosophy called the “Habit of Playing Beautifully” and how you need to train yourself to sound beautiful, regardless of what you’re playing. This conversation is a deep dive into the mind of a great musician who has a wonderful outlook on life and music. Thank you for subscribing and let us know yo...
BTS Episode 23 - Cynthia Phelps - "A Balanced Life"
May 13, 2021 13:49 - 52 minutes - 72.1 MBCynthia Phelps, Principal Viola of the New York Philharmonic, joins Behind the Screen on this episode titled “A Balanced Life”. She talks about the love of playing music and to have a depth of knowledge in the excerpts that you’re playing. It’s the little things in these excerpts that will distinguish you from the others and show who you are and what you have to say. We talk about the pressure of taking an audition, to make sure that you have a balanced life, and to always be open t...
BTS Episode 22 - Winging It
May 05, 2021 14:18 - 24 minutes - 33.9 MBOn this episode of Behind the Screen, Matt and JT call two New World Symphony Fellows! Michael Turkell, violin and Kathryn Bradley, bass join BTS to talk about Michael’s recent audition, Kathryn’s preparation for an upcoming audition, and about a day in the life of an NWS Fellow. We have a ton of fun and they bailed us out -- so thank them by tuning in! Thank you for subscribing and let us know your thoughts or who’d you like to hear on Behind the Screen at [email protected] ...
BTS Episode 21 - Alex Kerr
April 29, 2021 14:29 - 57 minutes - 79.1 MBAlex Kerr, Concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony, joins Behind the Screen to talk to us about his journey after winning the Concertmaster audition for the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra when he was only 25 years old! He tells us what it takes to be a Concertmaster, and shares what he is listening for when he’s behind the screen listening to auditions. Alex talks about his teaching philosophy and how you must know every facet of your playing, as well as how to be consistent. Tune in to...
BTS Episode 20 - Kristen Bruya
April 15, 2021 11:30 - 50 minutes - 69.1 MBKristen Bruya, principal bass of the Minnesota Orchestra joins us on Behind the Screen to talk about her journey in taking auditions. Kristen talks about how she developed a routine and honed her audition taking skills (let’s dance!), going back to school, and how she was able to learn and find humility from her colleagues. Be honest with yourself, leave your ego out of it, and try to remain open. Kristen has such a wonderful sense of humor, an infectious laugh and incredible insigh...
BTS Episode 19 - Weston Sprott
April 03, 2021 13:18 - 58 minutes - 80.7 MBWeston Sprott, trombonist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra joins us on Behind the Screen to talk about his journey - both with taking auditions, and listening to them. Weston shares how the Met Orchestra, one of the world’s best and most diverse orchestras, holds their auditions and how that should be a model for all orchestras. Listen in to Weston share his philosophy on taking auditions and what you should (or shouldn’t) do in each round. As he says, “You’re playing a solo reci...
BTS Episode 18 - Brinton Smith
March 18, 2021 10:30 - 59 minutes - 81.6 MBBrinton Smith, principal cello of the Houston Symphony joins Behind the Screen. Brinton has amazing insights to auditions and what it’s like being on the other side of the screen -- not only about what he listens for, but how he listens. As he says, “you listen differently when the screen is up.” Brinton has taken at least 40 auditions and listened to even more, so he knows what he’s talking about! Most importantly, he explains how everyone behind the screen is actually rooting fo...
BTS Episode 17 - Jerry Schwarz (Part Two)
February 25, 2021 12:00 - 25 minutes - 35.2 MBPart two of our interview with Jerry Schwarz. We talk tenure, trials, communication, and of course, auditions. Hear more of Jerry’s thoughts and his great stories. Thank you for subscribing and let us know your thoughts or who you'd like to hear on Behind the Screen at [email protected]
BTS Episode 16 - Jerry Schwarz (Part One)
February 11, 2021 15:03 - 32 minutes - 45.1 MBBehind the Screen is Back!! We are thrilled to be back and speaking with our wonderful guest about auditions and their experiences. In our opening two episodes we talk, with the Conductor Emeritus of the Seattle Symphony, Gerard Schwarz. Jerry has been listening to auditions for decades with a TON of different orchestras and has wonderful insight as to what a conductor might be looking for when they are listening to an audition. This is a great discussion about the other side of the...
BTS Episode 15 - JT and Matt Season Finale!
December 18, 2020 23:49 - 53 minutes - 72.9 MBIn the final episode of the first season of Behind the Screen, JT and Matt review the amazing guest we’ve spoken with and dig a little deeper into what Matt does (who is the person behind the voice?) We talk current events, family, what’s happening with some orchestras in the time of COVID and catch up. Happy Holidays and see you in the New Year! Stay safe, and wear a mask. Charlie Rosmarin, Percussion, New World Symphony Rebecca Oliverio, Trumpet, Lyric Opera of Chicago Nath...
BTS Episode 14 - Erich Rieppel
November 26, 2020 12:00 - 48 minutes - 67.3 MBOur last guest of the season is the principal timpanist of the Minnesota Orchestra, Erich Rieppel. He joins BTS to talk about his recent appointment, dealing with the cold weather (he’s used to -40 degrees), and how lucky he feels to be playing with his hometown orchestra. He walks us through a timpani audition, and the difference between the American and German setup, the different types of timpani heads, and the different types of actual timpani. Erich had trials with three major ...
BTS Episode 13 - Emma Gerstein
November 13, 2020 00:10 - 50 minutes - 68.7 MBEmma Gerstein, the 2nd flute of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, joins us to talk to us about how she went from playing with the New World Symphony, to winning a position around the world with the Auckland Philharmonia in New Zealand! And then, how she won her current position with her hometown orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She talks about how she prepared for the CSO audition while having a full-time job, and prioritized practicing her excerpts vs practicing for that w...
BTS Episode 12 - John Wilson
October 29, 2020 11:00 - 44 minutes - 61.1 MBPianist John Wilson joins BTS to discuss what it’s like to take an orchestral piano audition. John is the orchestral keyboardist for the San Diego and San Francisco Symphonies, and he tells us what it’s like to play a number of different keyboards (even accordion!) and the need to adjust when you show up to play with an orchestra that has a different piano than you’re used to -- or even a really bad piano! What’s John’s sound image? What is sound image? Is it just an illusion? Can t...
BTS Episode 11 - Natsuki Kumagai
October 15, 2020 11:00 - 45 minutes - 63.1 MBJT and Matt speak with Natsuki Kumagai, violinist with the Minnesota Orchestra.
BTS Episode 10 - Andrew Brady
October 01, 2020 11:00 - 54 minutes - 74.3 MBAndrew Brady, principal bassoon of the Atlanta Symphony joins BTS to and walks us through the two times he took the Atlanta audition. He explains how the little things (maybe not so little!) make the difference and what he changed between the first audition when he made it to semi-finals, and when he won the second audition. Did it help? Andrew talks about preparation for an upcoming audition, why an excerpt is on the list, and of course we talk reeds. Andrew finishes up giving his...
BTS Episode 9 - Ryan Roberts
September 17, 2020 12:00 - 41 minutes - 57.6 MBRyan Roberts, English Horn/Oboe of the New York Philharmonic joins BTS to talk about his audition successes -- and the few that weren't so great. He is the second youngest musician ever to become a member of the NY Phil, and won the job after it was vacant for over 9 years (he’s only 24!). Ryan discusses the difference between winning an audition versus not getting past the prelims, and how auditions are subjective and how much goes in to choosing a player. He talks about the import...
BTS Episode 9 - Roberts
September 17, 2020 12:00 - 41 minutes - 57.6 MBJT and Matt speak with Ryan Roberts, English Horn and Oboe, New York Philharmonic
BTS Episode 8 - Steven Moeckel
September 03, 2020 12:00 - 45 minutes - 62.2 MBSteven Moeckel, Concertmaster of the Phoenix Symphony and Santa Fe Opera, joins BTS to talk about his recent win with the Santa Fe Opera, and the long process of getting the position -- plus the difference between American and European auditions. Steven describes what it takes to be a concertmaster, what it’s like being on the other side of the screen listening to auditions, and gives great advice to young aspiring concertmasters.
BTS Episode 7 - JT and Matt Chat
August 28, 2020 12:00 - 38 minutes - 53.2 MBIn this episode of Behind the Screen, JT and Matt talk to…each other! We thought it would be good for our listeners to learn a little about us and why we decided to do a podcast about auditions. Who are JT and Matt? How are we able to get the amazing guests we’ve had so far? What are some current events happening in the orchestral world? Do our mothers listen? Do yours? Tune in to find out and send us an email at [email protected] to give us some feedback, or even send us an aud...
BTS Episode 6 - Billy Hunter
August 20, 2020 12:00 - 43 minutes - 59.9 MBBilly Hunter, principal trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra talks about his “audition sweep” after New World Symphony with his three back to back to back wins with Grant Park, Baltimore Symphony, and finally with the Met. He talks about how important your reputation is in the music world and what NOT to do, as well as how to prepare and perfect your craft like a professional athlete -- when talent can only take you so far. Billy wraps up discussing how important the screen ...
BTS Episode 5 - Lisa Dempsey Kane
August 06, 2020 12:00 - 55 minutes - 76 MBIn this episode we talk to Lisa Dempsey Kane, the Principal Orchestra Librarian for the Juilliard School, about being an orchestra librarian and how being a concertmaster has helped her transition to this role in an orchestra. She talks about how she was introduced to the library, what an orchestra librarian does, and what’s involved in taking an orchestra library audition. Is it behind a screen? How many rounds? What’s the same/different from an instrumental audition? Join us to fi...
BTS Episode 4 - Nathaniel Silberschlag
July 23, 2020 12:00 - 42 minutes - 57.9 MBIn this episode we talk with Nathaniel Silberschlag, principal horn of the Cleveland Orchestra. Nathaniel is the youngest player to join both the Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra! He walks us through his preparation for two different auditions while still at Juilliard, his very large family of musicians, and how positive visualization has helped him with his audition success -- and keep his focus with such a demanding position.
BTS Episode 3 - Rebecca Oliverio
July 08, 2020 16:32 - 35 minutes - 48.9 MBIn this episode, we talk with Rebecca Oliverio about the difference between preparing for an opera audition versus an orchestral audition. She shares her experience round by round, and how she dealt with - and maintained - her drive in the three weeks between prelims and semi/final rounds. We also discussed the correlation between sports and auditions, how it’s not about anyone else not playing well, but more about YOU playing your best - and how that helps eliminate negativity. ...
BTS Episode 2 - Charlie Rosmarin (part two)
July 08, 2020 16:32 - 26 minutes - 36.7 MBWe’re back with Charlie Rosmarin to discuss his recent Philadelphia Orchestra audition and the extensive repertoire list, as well as how he "comes down" after his audition with all the nerves and adrenaline. Speaking of coming down, should the screen come down? Charlie shares his ideas on the process of taking AND holding an audition.
BTS Episode 1 - Charlie Rosmarin (part one)
July 08, 2020 16:32 - 34 minutes - 47.8 MBEpisode 1 – In episode 1 of talking with Charlie Rosmarin (and the debut of Behind the Screen!), we dive into what is involved in taking a variety of different percussion auditions, being a percussionist with the New World Symphony and how that applies to auditions, as well as Charlie's routine and preparation leading up to the big day, as well as adjusting to the venue where the audition is held. We wrap up this episode with the number of excerpts on his recent Philadelphia Orchest...