AN AMERICAN ECONOMY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 11, 14 January 1932, Page 19

AN AMERICAN ECONOMY

CUTTING OUT;AUDITIONS

* A ;?»ow--, audition':: system, has' been adopted by .the National Company. -..Up to now' almost anyono could.; jfnn a-hearing," but this .is'-no: longer:,true. Only persons with, experience : or; persons supported by the .endorsements .of recognised authorities are given auditions. This.plan is'described as lets altruistic,,than a wide-open: policy and,-is. believed;;to,.be more ■ practical. Thus 'one of thei'most colourful featured etndib^vanishes—-the heterogeneous crowd of waiting '• hopefuls. '-..-^V' '~ L . ■' ' ■- .....

Heretofore ''thousands,-: of auditions have been -granted, approximately,3; per cent, of the applicants-passefd the preliminary tests but-only one~out of a

hundred were put on the air. This percentage seemed: too low to.'justify the expense and ; tjme devoted to the quest of new material. The system was based on ; -the theory'vthat r the," .broadcasters should never overlook an opportunity to : diseover a new voice. ■ •" ' • :

'.-.- The aspiring; musician, whether vocalist or inßtrumehtalist,must present hia application; in. writing^' answering questions as-to trajning, experience, >tyle, and, if the aspirant is. a .vocalist, quality and strength of voice. - ; The audition staff do not see the applicant at the miorophone during test performances. They judge by sound alone. If the candidate is successful, .then £■second audition is ■ held for a groupi.of programme'- executives^ If .they; approve, a ndw name is added to the.lbngMist of '• those available for broadcasting. . . '.