AUDITION ACCELERATOR
The fastest, most efficient route to audition mastery.
Enrolling NOW for Fall ‘24
Winning a job in a major orchestra is one of the most complicated goals in the world. It takes immense time, money, and effort.
The Audition Accelerator gives participants a “fast track” to their dream.
In this intensive hybrid course, a hand-selected group will learn the techniques that took me three decades to compile.
Is this for you? Want to learn more?
“I feel like I’ve had MAJOR breakthroughs in my auditioning and am finally able to play the way I want in those situations.”
Jon, Trumpet
“This is the best I've ever felt for an upcoming audition. I know my excerpts better than ever, and feel really confident.”
Mitchell, Horn
Want to win auditions?
Then you need to watch this video.
Can you relate?
You've taken auditions that felt great, but you still didn't advance.
You want to be "ready,” but you're not sure what "ready" sounds like.
You're confused as to why some people advance and others do not.
You have a feeling there will never be enough hours in the day to learn an excerpt list.
It feels like committees just want robots, and you're wondering if this is for you.
You're sick of people telling you to practice with a metronome, because you already DO!
I hear you.
I’ve been there, and I can show you what to do.
"Before working with Chris, I constantly struggled with time management and I felt like my days were getting away from me. I've only just begun, but I know for sure that this will yield great results. I'm excited to see what the future has in store!"
Eddie, Percussion
"Boy have I got a win! Houston Symphony has added me to their sub list based on yesterday’s audition. I’ve been taking their sub audition every two years like clockwork for the 15 years I’ve lived here, and FINALLY I’m added. FINALLY GUYS!
Thank you Chris for this amazing program. Following your recommendations has really paid off. Don't ever give up! I refused to give up!!"
Lisa, Flute
Who is this for?
The Audition Accelerator is for advanced college students through aspiring professionals.
The program is for all instruments.
Via Zoom meetings, pre-recorded lessons, a robust online academy, and individual exercises, you will learn how to:
stand out from hundreds of candidates
maximize every second you spend in the practice room
learn more music in less time
be able to deliver your best, whatever the circumstances
use apps, timers, recorders, and metronomes to supercharge your performance readiness
feel like you’re delivering a mini-recital, rather than facing a firing squad
go from the rat race and into the tenure track years ahead of your colleagues
Want to see if we’re a good fit for each other?
Book your introductory call below.
How does this compare to an in-person festival?
Attend from anywhere
Convenient and budget-friendly, with no need for room and board fees. You can even attend from an in-person festival.
Targeted, practical information
A deeper dive into the topics that win jobs. Most content and lessons are pre-recorded, so you can watch them over and over. But it’s not just talk—you get worksheets, apps, and specific techniques to solve problems.
More access to instructors
You’ll have easy access to our experts, including at least one who plays your instrument. Plus, we connect you with a supportive network of motivated, focused peers all working towards the same goals.
I can’t guarantee you’ll win your next audition, but I can guarantee you’ll supercharge your learning curve.
How do you win an orchestra audition?
In my first ten orchestra auditions, I was clueless. The second ten, I started to “get” it. The third ten, I saw real improvement. The last ten, I made lots of finals and won the jobs I’d always dreamed about. This took me 15 years.
I hate seeing motivated, talented musicians facing the same odds I did. Just like me, they really want to play, but they don’t understand the challenge of winning an orchestra audition:
They have unrealistic ideas of how they sound.
They don’t actually know what a committee is looking for.
Their daily practice is based on guesswork.
Should we chat?
I love meeting motivated musicians. Let’s set up an introductory call.
How much does it cost to win an orchestra audition?
There’s no cost to audition, but that doesn’t mean it’s free.
Each of my auditions cost me* up to:
*These are average figures and have not been adjusted for inflation.
$1600 for airfare + hotel
$200 for food
$300 for rental cars/taxis/parking
$600 for special lessons
$1000-$5000 for flight cases, auxiliary/special instruments, and other equipment
$300 for sheet music and recordings to prepare
$4,000 per audition
$4,000 x 40 auditions = $160,000
So $160,000 for 39 learning experiences and 1 dream job.
Is it like that for everyone? No—the vast majority of people quit and give up, somewhere between auditions five and ten. Among the people with “big” orchestra jobs, my experience is average. (Note that I’m not even mentioning the cost of instruments, degrees, and the music festivals I attended. I didn’t finish paying off my student loans until I was in my forties.)
So the financial strain was huge (as was the emotional strain).
When students started flying from other countries to work with me, I realized there had to be a way to deliver the same information, without making people go into massive debt or put their lives on hold.
That’s when the Audition Accelerator was born.
Let’s chat to see if my information might work for you.
The Audition Accelerator isn’t for everyone. But it is for:
College/conservatory students, freelancers, and orchestra professionals looking to advance their career.
Teachers who want to give their students an edge.
Musicians who love playing in orchestras.
People who understand that more practice isn’t always the answer.
Musicians who understand that a strong work ethic will get you farther than your talent.
People who want the shortest route to their goal.
Meet your Team
In addition to Chris and Amanda, each Audition Accelerator program welcomes numerous guest speakers and teachers.
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Trumpet player and Founder, Honesty Pill
Christopher Still is a trumpet player with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Before moving to LA, Chris was a member of the Colorado Symphony, the Dallas Symphony, the Charleston Symphony, and the Orquesta Sinfonica de Galicia. His own path to audition success was long and difficult. He loves showing students how to reach their goals in a fraction of the time it took him. When students began traveling from other countries to learn his audition process, Chris had the idea to found the online business Honesty Pill. Through Honesty Pill, he can reach the students who would most benefit from his advice, no matter where they live.
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Clarinetist, Honesty Pill Coach, and Entrepreneur
Amanda McIntosh is a clarinet player-turned-entrepreneur. She has been a member of the Orquesta Sinfonica de Galicia, the Sarasota Opera, has performed and toured with many of the world's leading orchestras. Amanda was a finalist in multiple major auditions at the same time that she was working full-time as a business consultant, traveling the globe and advising Fortune 500 companies. She is an expert in time management and efficient practice. When she's not chatting with Honesty Pill clients, she helps musicians market their businesses. Her startup, Take My Face Off, creates award-winning, environmentally friendly skincare products.
"In order to kick ass, you must first lift up your foot."
-Jen Sincero, author, You Are a Badass
Let's turn your dreams into concrete goals. You'll never know if you're good enough to win until you actually enter the race.