Info Box
Hello, I’m Marcello Hong, double bass professor at the Hochschule für Musik
Karlsruhe in Germany.
Many young players send me messages after seeing my audition stories on
Instagram (@_marcello_hong). That’s why I wanted to write this, to share the story
that touched people the most: my roughly 50 auditions.
I only counted them later and was surprised myself. If someone had told me in my
early twenties that I’d have to fail about 50 times to get where I am now, I probably
would have put the bass down and tried something else.
Auditions in my twenties were really hard. Dragging the double bass onto trains,
arriving just in time, playing for five minutes, then hearing “Thank you.” Coming
home and feeling down for days, wondering why nothing was working for me while
friends were already finding positions. It really hurt my confidence.
There were plenty of times I thought, maybe this path isn’t for me.
But in the end I always looked for the next audition notice, filled out another
application, and went back to the practice room.
The reason was simple. I truly loved classical music.
As a kid I loved daydreaming and often felt a bit detached from the real world. I was
more comfortable in my imagination. Then classical music came along and
completely captured me. Once I felt what it’s like on stage, when the music brings
everyone in the hall together as one, no matter how tough things got, I couldn’t
choose any other path.
After the 10th, 20th, and 30th audition my perspective began to shift. At first every
rejection felt like I’m not good enough. Later it turned into my style just didn’t fit that
orchestra. Every ensemble wants something different. Some prefer a bright clear
sound, others a deep rich tone. It’s not about being good or bad, it’s about chemistry.
Over time, I developed a habit that helped. After a rejection I let myself feel sad,
those feelings are completely normal. Then, when things calmed down, I quietly
looked back at the audition. The tempo wasn’t quite steady in that passage. That
orchestra seems to like stronger dynamics. Next time I’ll try it this way. Each time I
picked up a small insight, and in the end those 50 auditions weren’t just failures, they
became 50 valuable lessons.No parent or teacher could give me that kind of learning.
It came only from my own experience. Looking back without being too hard on myself and caring enough to
learn from it, that process, I realized later, became a quiet way of looking after
myself.
Teaching now, the hardest thing to see is when a talented student gives up after one
or two rejections, thinking this isn’t for me.
I understand that feeling completely, I lived it. But here’s the reality: in most
auditions, only one person gets chosen. That means even incredibly talented players
will face rejection, often many times. Most rejections aren’t simply because you
weren’t good enough. Timing, the orchestra’s current needs, musical direction, and
that hard-to-explain chemistry all have to come together.
What if we started seeing auditions as experiments instead of final exams? A way to
discover does this place fit me? When it doesn’t work, you’ve just gathered one more
piece of information. It’s okay to feel sad. Just remember to ask yourself afterward,
what did I learn this time? If you do that, you’re already growing.
I reached this position after those 50 auditions.
Without that journey I wouldn’t be the musician I am today. Each rejection made me
a little stronger and a little deeper.
To all the young double bass players reading this.
I believe the difficulties you’re facing right now will lead you to the right place. Keep
playing, keep trying, keep growing.
I’m cheering for you!
Prof. Marcello Hong
Double Bass Professor
Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe, Germany