Protocol varies on musical auditions

Roger Rensvold's letter headlined 'Blind auditions needed for 'Phil' ' (South China Morning Post, February 6) contains a few misconceptions that, without challenging his opinions, still need to be corrected. The 'blind auditions' used by many orchestras are generally restricted to preliminary rounds in the hiring process - not for final rounds, or in dismissal proceedings. The panel that hears them is certainly not composed of impartial experts, but normally comprises the music director (conductor) and a select group of the orchestra's musicians - mainly section leaders.

In orchestras in the United States, decision-making procedures are frequently structured so that the music director holds at least half the votes, thus giving the players in effect only an advisory role. In many European orchestras - especially those that, like leading London ensembles and the Berlin Philharmonic, are player-managed - the conductor may have only one vote. Finally, no conductor ever expects to improve an orchestra, or accomplish anything at all, without criticism. That's part of the job.

RHONDDA MAY

Mid-Levels