Nathan Cole: Lessons From a 20-Year Journey to Concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

Violinist Nathan Cole was recently appointed concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra – remarkably, only the fourth violinist to hold this position in the last 104 years. He has been first associate concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since 2011, and previously held positions in the Chicago Symphony and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. In this episode, Nathan shares insights from his two-decade-long journey of auditioning for concertmaster positions. We explore the unique challenges and expectations of concertmaster auditions, and Nathan explains how he has evolved over the years and what he learned from audition setbacks. He also shares insights on his preparation process, and demonstrates an exercise which highlights the importance of clear musical intentions. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction and Initial Reflections 00:31 Becoming Concertmaster: A Journey 02:01 The Unique Challenges of Concertmaster Auditions 03:56 Understanding Orchestra Culture and Fit 06:10 Leadership and Trust in the Orchestra 08:03 Balancing Assertiveness and Respect 10:26 Learning from Feedback and Growth Opportunities 18:18 Preparation Strategies for Auditions 31:10 The Importance of Musical Intentions 37:45 Detailed Musical Preparation Techniques 47:56 Balancing Technical and Artistic Preparation 49:46 Final Thoughts and Resources Access complete show notes, including transcript and additional resources at: https://bulletproofmusician.com/natha... NATHAN COLE Web: https://natesviolin.com YouTube: @natesviolin Instagram:   / natesviolin   NOA KAGEYAMA Performance psychologist Noa Kageyama is on the faculty of The Juilliard School and the Cleveland Institute of Music. A conservatory-trained violinist with degrees from Oberlin and Juilliard before pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology at Indiana University, he now specializes in working with performing artists, teaching them how to utilize sport psychology principles and more consistently perform up to their full abilities under pressure. Noa's work has appeared in media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, NBC News, CNN, Slate, WNYC radio, Strings Magazine, Musical America, and Lifehacker. WEEKLY NEWSLETTER Get a new research-based practice tip to experiment with every Sunday: https://bulletproofmusician.com/newsl... FREE 7-DAY PRACTICE CHALLENGE Learn the #1 thing top practicers do differently, and how to become more "pressure proof" on stage: https://bulletproofmusician.com/press... THE BULLETPROOF MUSICIAN Blog: https://bulletproofmusician.com/blog Instagram:   / bulletproofmusician   Facebook:   / bulletproofmusician   DISCLAIMER All of the information on this channel is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or personalized advice from a qualified professional. If something here raises concerns for you, please consider speaking with a licensed healthcare provider who can provide guidance specific to your individual situation.