I love talking with audiiton winners.   Learning about how they designed and implemented a long-term plan is fascinating.  What went right?  What went wrong?  How did they adjust course?  What did they do to get through the low points?  When did things start to click? That's what Caleb Quillen and I dig into on this episode. Caleb is the most recent addition to the bass section of the Kansas City Symphony.  He studied at New England Conservatory and Rice University prior to winning the Kansas City job. We talk about: Caleb's long-term audiiton plan getting out of the "bass culture" when playing excerpts concept of cognitive shifting and mental replacement how running helped Caleb with auditioning managing frustration and discouragement in audiiton preparation It was such fun connecting with Caleb and talking auditioning with him.  He and I had actually met years ago at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago when his high school orchestra performed.  Caleb was principal bassist of his orchestra and had a solo in a piece, and I went up to the stage and congratulated him after the performance.  Small world! More audition-related content: previous audition winner conversations: Robin Kesselman (Houston Symphony) Joe Conyers (Philadelphia Orchestra) Brandon McLean (Pittsburgh Symphony) Ian Hallas (Lyric Opera of Chicago) Winning the Audition (podcast series) Part 1 – Preparing for Audition Success Part 2 – Practicing Techniques for Peak Auditions Part 3 – Preparation Routines That Work Part 4 – Sealing the Deal Winning the Audition (the book!) Orchestra Excerpt Breakdown with John Grillo Opera Excerpt Breakdown with John Grillo Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to your inbox! Learn how you can support the show at contrabassconversations.com/support   Thanks to our sponsors! This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut. Enter the D’Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings! Hosting for Contrabass Conversations is provided by Bass Capos.  Bass Capos are an excellent choice for any bass player using or looking to implement a double bass extension. Easy to install and adjust, cheaper and more reliable than hand-built latches, also lighter and quicker in operation.