When classical musicians audition for a symphony orchestra, they play behind a screen.  They are completely anonymous to the committee on the other side of it, who knows them only by a number.  Those auditioning are advised to wear soft-soled shoes.  They are prohibited from speaking to the committee. Prior to the audition, the musician is given a list of classical repertoire pieces from which he will be asked to play a number of excerpts, anywhere from one to three minutes of each selection.  The selections of music will vary depending on the player's instrument.  When the audition is over, the musician leaves and waits to hear if he was chosen for further evaluation.  Subsequent auditions may again be behind a screen, and the performer may be asked to sight-read a piece of music he had not prepared. This process is one of the fairest on the planet.  Not the age, sex, or race of the player is known to the...(Read Full Post)