We do auditions every year. 99% of the time it's a formality, the lists end up exactly where we expected. Every once in a while a kid surprises me or it's a tie breaker. Our audition packet clearly lists "director recommendation" as a factor so I don't mind massaging the results for the kid who had a bad run or the hotshot who can play all of his scales but can't show up to rehearsal. Having the data has so far kept me out of the admin office over auditions but it's there if I need it.