Leader shortly taking band for audition (7)

I believe the answer is:

hearing

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'for audition' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'leader shortly taking band' is the wordplay.
'leader' becomes 'head' (head is a kind of leader).
'shortly' means to remove the last letter.
'taking band' becomes 'ring' (a ring is a band of metal. I am not sure about the 'taking' bit.).
'head' with its last letter taken off is 'hea'.
'hea'+'ring'='HEARING'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hearing that I've seen before include "Her gain (anag.)" , "court case" , "Perceiving sound" , "Earshot; trial" , "Perceiving sounds" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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