Audition Advice

[Pumkinhead]

Hey everyone. In less than nine days, I'll be auditioning for Peabody. From now til' March, I'll also be auditioning at USC, Eastman, NEC, MSM, and UCLA. My audition repertoire is:

Audition Repertoire:

Bach- Prelude and Fugue in C# Major, no. 3
Beethoven - Sonata No. 17 in D minor "Tempest"
Mendelssohn- Variation Serieuses
Dello Joio - Capriccio on an Interval of a 2nd
Chopin- Etude in C minor No. 24, "Ocean"

The thing is, I have absolutely no idea what to expect. Am I allowed to choose my first piece? If so, would starting with the Dello Joio be a bad decision? Do they try to hear snippets of ever freakin piece? I don't know, I'm just getting unbelievably nervous. I have only one shot to nail this thing, and I want to succeed more than anything. Any tips or words of encouragement, guys? Thanks anyways

[rob47]

YOU CAN DO IT!

[whynot]

You CAN do it.  I don't know the Dello Joio, but you have some great audition pieces there.  They won't ask for part of everything.  Most likely they'll let you choose your first piece, and that should be something you can "play cold," because you'll get a warmup but on a very different piano, and you might have to wait to play.  Start with something you could play if the house were burning down around you.  After that, they will probably ask for a piece of their choosing. 

Expect the following: 
-- to be cut off mid-piece
-- to be asked for more or less music than you expected to play (neither of these is a "sign")
-- to hear them TALKING OUT LOUD while you're playing-- don't let this bother you.  Everyone does it.

Don't try too hard not to make mistakes; just make the sounds you want to make.  Stay in the moment, take a few chances.  If you know anything about the school or faculty, give it a brief mention, "I read that Dr. So-and-so just performed in Germany," so they know you're interested in their program.  My favorite trick when really nervous is to create a very small, attainable musical goal for the performance.  It makes it feel more like normal practicing, and gives me something to do besides panic.  I learned this from a marvelous performer, who would have me choose one tiny thing to do better in a concert.  I found it calming, and I actually did play better.  I'm sure you will be wonderful! 

Very best of luck.       

[pita bread]

So they probably won't ask for every piece you have prepared?

[arensky]

Hey everyone. In less than nine days, I'll be auditioning for Peabody. From now til' March, I'll also be auditioning at USC, Eastman, NEC, MSM, and UCLA. My audition repertoire is:

Audition Repertoire:

Bach- Prelude and Fugue in C# Major, no. 3
Beethoven - Sonata No. 17 in D minor "Tempest"
Mendelssohn- Variation Serieuses
Dello Joio - Capriccio on an Interval of a 2nd
Chopin- Etude in C minor No. 24, "Ocean"

The thing is, I have absolutely no idea what to expect. Am I allowed to choose my first piece? If so, would starting with the Dello Joio be a bad decision? Do they try to hear snippets of ever freakin piece? I don't know, I'm just getting unbelievably nervous. I have only one shot to nail this thing, and I want to succeed more than anything. Any tips or words of encouragement, guys? Thanks anyways

You have about 40-45 minutes of music, audition slots are usually 10 to 15 minutes. When I was auditioning years ago I never played a whole piece through, except the Bach Fugue, every time.  BTW they ALWAYS ask for that and want to hear it, and they probably will. None of those panels asked for the prelude, just the Fugue. They always asked what I would like to start with, I don't think that's  changed. Start with what you feel most comfortable with, don't try to second guess what they might be thinking, there is no way to know. Start with what you want to and then play what they want you to; they may ask you to start from the development section of the Sonata, that happened to me once. Be prepared for that, although it might not happen. If they ask you to stop, it's no reflection on you, they are on a schedule and have heard what they need to. Don't worry. Your program is demanding and impressive. Just go and do what you do...

GOOD LUCK!!!   

[dmk]

You have about 40-45 minutes of music, audition slots are usually 10 to 15 minutes. When I was auditioning years ago I never played a whole piece through, except the Bach Fugue, every time.  BTW they ALWAYS ask for that and want to hear it, and they probably will. None of those panels asked for the prelude, just the Fugue. They always asked what I would like to start with, I don't think that's  changed. Start with what you feel most comfortable with, don't try to second guess what they might be thinking, there is no way to know. Start with what you want to and then play what they want you to; they may ask you to start from the development section of the Sonata, that happened to me once. Be prepared for that, although it might not happen. If they ask you to stop, it's no reflection on you, they are on a schedule and have heard what they need to. Don't worry. Your program is demanding and impressive. Just go and do what you do...

Totally agreed,  I think you have a fantastic and well thought our program!

I can't remember an audition where I was not asked to played the Fugue, none of them asked me to play my Prelude!!!

When I was practicing at home I asked my mum, my sisters, anyone really to say "please stop" or "thats enough" as I was playing through all my pieces so I would be used to people stopping me in the middle of a performance. 

When I had people over and practised playing the pieces through I also asked them to whisper while I was playing so I was used to that.   Because I didn't perform and play in public a lot it was little things like this which really made the difference for me.

If they let you choose I would go with whatever makes you most comfortable, if thats the Dello Jojo then go for it!! You want to feel settled and your best piece is what will achieve that! 

I am not sure about American Conservatorium's but British and Australian panels always asked me why I chose the pieces I had so you might want to have a think about having a think about what you would say (if it is standard in the US that the panel has a chat with you!!)

Best wishes and GOOD LUCK to you.

cheers

dmk

[pita bread]

Is this any different for regional auditions?

[Pumkinhead]

Thank you guys for so much encouragement. I'm glad that you like the program, as I have never been happy with the difficulty or variation, but your remarks are very reassuring. Dello Joio will be kicking off each audition. Peabody and Eastman are both regional auditions, so that also helps that I won't be stared down by some of the best teachers in the country. Wish me luck!

[dmk]

Audition Repertoire:

Bach- Prelude and Fugue in C# Major, no. 3
Beethoven - Sonata No. 17 in D minor "Tempest"
Mendelssohn- Variation Serieuses
Dello Joio - Capriccio on an Interval of a 2nd
Chopin- Etude in C minor No. 24, "Ocean"

Thank you guys for so much encouragement. I'm glad that you like the program, as I have never been happy with the difficulty or variation, but your remarks are very reassuring. Dello Joio will be kicking off each audition. Peabody and Eastman are both regional auditions, so that also helps that I won't be stared down by some of the best teachers in the country. Wish me luck!

I think program is certainly difficult enough, none of these works are what I would call 'light on'.  Your sonata is sufficiently difficult and an excellent choice that they won't here 10 versions of like they will of the 2/1, 10/1, 13 (Pathetique) or 27/2 (Moonlight).  Both you romantic and 20th century are inspired choices.  There is only so much variety you can get with a Chopin Etude and I think your have chosen an excellent Prelude and Fugue.

It is an impressive and well thought out program, it gives you the opportunity to display your talents and artistry and well as solid technical ability.

I wish you all the best.

dmk

[verywellmister]

call me an idiot, but do you actually travel to different states to audition or do you submit recordings?

seems like an awful lot of places

good luck

[I Love Xenakis]

looks fun.



dont accidently get a boner while playing.

[Pumkinhead]

looks fun.



dont accidently get a boner while playing.

Sorry, Xenakis. I really suck at in-jokes!