We all know auditions can be tough, but why exactly?

Here's my top 10 list of reasons why professional musicians often dread auditions:

1. Intense pressure, with years of preparation and no guarantees

2. Limited representation of skills, since you can be eliminated within minutes, especially if your nerves are audible at the beginning

3. Subjective judgments. The best person does NOT always win. (And… ummm….. is the jury dozing or eating lunch behind that screen or actually listening?)

4. Unnatural performance environment. Playing to a screen is NOT natural. It's not how we practice, and that cold, uncommunicative environment isn't what music is about.

5. Fierce competition. And the best person does NOT always win, which can make it all feel a LOT like luck.

6. Financial strain. Preparing for years and taking multiple auditions can get really expensive, especially when you're trying to get better work!

7. Repetitive repertoire. (Don Juan… AGAIN?!!??)

8. Physical toll. Practice, procrastinate, practice hard, REALLY hard… cramming…… OUCH!

9. Emotional rollercoaster: I'm excited! I'm nervous! This is fun…? I want to run away and hide and live on a desert island – all alone…with chocolate

10. Career instability. Do you spend time and mental energy worrying about your future in music, believing that it all depends on how you do at the next audition? Or the next? Can you relate