Fearless Auditioning
Internationally acclaimed hornist Jeff Nelsen has spoken on Fearlessness all over North America, Europe, Asia. Inspiration, strategies, and charm abound as he reveals his concepts on fearlessness that have brought him many audition successes for major orchestras in Canada, first runner-up showings for American orchestras like the Chicago Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and membership in the world’s most famous chamber ensemble, Canadian Brass.
What is Fearlessness?
Fearlessness is a mental state of complete faith in the moment at hand, and any task ahead. There is a lack of awareness of any obstacles, self-imposed or otherwise.
“Obstacles are the things we see when we take our
eyes off our goals.” – Hallmark card
In order to be fearless, we must embrace the things in our favor, act on what we can improve, and surrender to anything we might possibly perceive as a barrier. There are degrees to which we can and should live in this state, and it changes with each breath we take. Some fears are healthy, and keep us out of harms way… BUT… when walking into an audition, we need to be as close as possible to an optimal fearless mental state. Jeff Nelsen has shown we have the ability to practice, perfect, and call upon this state anywhere, anytime.
“Fearlessness Auditioning” reminds us all of our natural capacity for unique greatness. The book inspires us to keep dreaming, and to achieve the goals we set out for ourselves, one fearless step at a time.
“Most people don’t aim too high and miss,
they aim too low and hit.”
“While you’re making excuses, someone else is in a practice room learning how to do something they couldn’t do yesterday.”
– David Ohanian
November 14, 2006
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“Jeff is the best future of the horn because his fearless nature lies within his life and not just his instrument.”
Martin Hackleman, Principal Horn - National Symphony Orchestra
(Former Solo horn- Canadian Brass and Empire Brass)
Through his infectious enthusiasm
for his art, Jeff becomes a teacher to
all those he encounters. If you know Jeff, you are better for it. If you don’t know
Jeff, you should.
Skip Snead, Director
School of Music, University of Alabama
“I have known Jeff Nelsen for over a decade as one of the outstanding horn players of his generation. He gave a superb performance of Edward Gregson’s Horn Concerto in Manchester for the Royal Northern College of Music Brass Festival, which I conducted in January of 2005 and which was broadcast on BBC Radio 3. He is a great musician, a wonderful colleague and a magnificent example to younger players.”
Bramwell Tovey, Music Director
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
