Is conservatory audition basically different from competitions in that...

[cardinals]

...they look more on potentials than technical or musical perfection?

Actually I couldn't understand this because...I thought the professors would prefer those who can play with less mistakes...you know, in many competitions, it is hardly possible to get good points once messing up the whole passage no matter how they play extremely well the other parts...

Also, could you tell me exactly what kind of potentials they are looking for when auditioning the students?

[amelialw]

they look for both

[pianowelsh]

Both look for both.

Generally speaking Conservatory is a stepping stone to preparing for major international competitions. Most dont compete at the big internationals pre a formal education. Competitions on a lesser level - we are talking local and national style are less forcussed on the percieved notion of musical perfection and tend to appraise 'talent' much as conservatories do at audition. The toughest conservatories expect much closer to the high level expected by international level competitions for entry and this is often reflected in the experience and the number of applicants ..ie Curtis, Imola, Moscow etc