Contact author Janis Weller for seminars, workshops, course development, and
individual coaching information at jweller@elisioninstitute.org or 763 - 522 - 8544
Source: http://www.elisioninstitute.org/youth-audition.html
College Audition Tips
By Janis Weller
In the performing arts, an audition is one of the most important aspects of your college application process. Depending on the school you are interested in attending, grades and test scores may carry less importance than actually showing what you can do musically.
Auditions are usually conducted live and in-person, at the school itself or sometimes at regional locations around the country. Auditions may be brief or very comprehensive. In addition to playing, they sometimes include theory and ear-training exams, interviews, and even keyboard placement too. At some schools, scoring well on theory tests can sometimes serve as a tie-breaker between two otherwise equal applicants, or it may just determine your placement in a class once you enroll.
Occasionally the audition may be in the form of a lesson with the teacher. Other times the audition format is like an adjudication, with a jury of several people writing critiques furiously as you play.
Here are a few quick tips to help you prepare:
LIVE AUDITIONS
Before the Audition
- Check requirements carefully for each school. Check for specific works or style periods, scales and other technical requirements, sight-reading, orchestral excerpts.
- Learn about the format of the audition. Length, who will be there, other requirements besides performing.
- Select music that you love to play and that shows your strengths along with a variety of technical, stylistic and musical aspects.
- Prepare thoroughly with your teacher and with lots of focused practice. It doesn’t work to cram—period.
- Perform your music many times before the audition, in different situations, for a variety of people.
- Videotape and critique yourself.
- Be sure your instrument and other equipment (reeds, bow, etc.) are in top condition.
- And make sure you are in top condition too—plenty of rest, good nutrition, exercise, vitamins. Musicians are “small muscle athletes,” after all.
The Day of the Audition
- If possible, plan to arrive a day ahead so that you are well rested.
- Arrange your day so that you don’t have to rush.
- Drink lots of water, and locate rest rooms near the audition space.
- Eat lightly for energy (if you can); bland is probably best.
- Bring duplicates of the music you will play for the judges.
- Warm-up thoroughly, but don’t wear out.
- Locate the audition room well ahead of your appointed time.
- Dress appropriately. Dress-up a bit, but don’t overdo it—be business-like, comfortable, clean and neat, not a prom queen or king.
The Big Moment
- Be personable and respectful when it’s your turn to play—first impressions count.
- You will probably not play all the way through any piece. Time is limited and they want to hear several examples of your playing. Expect this and don’t let it bother you when they cut you off.
- Stay focused on the music. Let your musical personality shine.
- Anticipate less-than-ideal circumstances just in case. The room may be acoustically dry; the judges may be unfriendly. The room may be too hot, too cold; too small, too big.
- Remember, they are looking for teach-able students, not perfection.
- Be prepared for questions from the jury. And be sure to have some well thought out questions for them as well to show your interest in their school.
Follow-up
- Send a brief thank you note to someone—your prospective teacher, head of the department or someone in the admissions office.
Pitfalls--what NOT to do at an audition
- Don’t ignore their requirements for repertoire or other expectations.
- Don’t select music that is too difficult or doesn’t highlight your strengths.
- Don’t be under prepared.
- Don’t listen to other people’s auditions.
- Don’t be late.
- Don’t make excuses.
TAPED AUDITIONS
Some schools will require a recorded preliminary audition. From the taped auditions, selected individuals are then invited to audition in person. Although some schools will allow recorded auditions for students who live far away, not appearing in-person puts you at a distinct disadvantage. Whenever possible, try to arrange a live audition either at the school or on the specific dates they hold auditions at designated sites.
To create a recorded audition
- Confirm requirements for repertoire, length, tape or CD format, accompanist.
- Use the best equipment you can find—microphone and recorder.
- Be sure you have technical support: An audio engineer (or at least someone to operate the equipment and keep track of each take) will save a great deal of time. You should concentrate only on playing well.
- Record in a room with flattering acoustics—you will be more relaxed and the sound will be enhanced.
- If the format is not specified exactly, put your best work at the beginning of the recording.
- Be sure to listen all the way through the completed recording before mailing it to make sure it’s all there with no pops or drop-outs.
- Label the recording appropriately and clearly.
— IMPORTANT —
It is your responsibility to be thoroughly prepared for your audition in every way—repertoire, scales, sight-reading, perhaps theory, ear-training, keyboard. That’s your job prior to the audition.
But also remember that just like the professional audition world, there are many variables that you cannot control. Each school will have particular needs in a given year, and may be emphasizing certain instruments, styles, or levels. One teacher may be eager for more students, someone else may be cutting back. In many conservatories, spots for new students on any given instrument may be not only very limited, you may be competing with graduate students years who are both older and more experienced. In other words, these schools are looking for a trombonist, not necessarily a freshman trombonist. This is not your fault or your issue—just do the best you can and be sure to apply to several schools.
General college application wisdom applies to musicians too: apply to at least one school where you’re pretty confident you will be accepted, a ‘stretch’ school, and a ‘safety’ school.
Good luck to you!
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Here are some links for useful additional information on the topic of college auditions. Also check for specific information and requirements on the websites of schools you are interested in attending.
Copyright 2004 Janis Weller. All Rights Reserved
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