For the orchestral musician, the final steps from a degree of technical proficiency to audition mastery can be mysterious and confusing. We can play a perfect audition and not advance; we can also play a flawed audition and advance. Why is that? How do we become what we currently cannot fathom? If the canopy is the part of the forest that is difficult to see above from the ground, Operation Canopy is a ladder. This is a collection of resources designed to help students and professionals understand the difference between what is merely proficient and what truly stands out in an audition/orchestral setting. Although this is "repped" for trumpeters, it can easily be adapted to any orchestral instrument.

In the document is:

- A checklist of practice items that will help you get traction where it matters to an orchestral committee, and not where you *think* it matters.

- A methodology for developing a fundamental routine based on your individual on each excerpt, your instrument as a whole, and the priorities of a typical orchestral committee.

- A methodology for evaluating progress during audition prep that reflects the priorities of a committee, not just on our instrument, but on every instrument.

- A 6-week structured listening journal containing the most common pieces found on full-time orchestral auditions, including historically important recordings, the best modern recordings, podcasts that address specific pieces, and journaling techniques that work with the above resources to help sound like you were born for the job.