music major audition

[ilovemusik]

i had my audition last year for my music major. I was so nervous. I really don't like playing in front with a lot of people. My hands were shaking, it was a nightmare! i played so bad and my pieces are so simple,  i did  a lot of mistakes etc. They think i am not ready for this, they were kinda confused why i want to become a music major. However, i got in. of course i was happy about that but i am just confused why they accepted me because i am not good in playing piano.

[thalberg]

Music departments need students to keep running.  I have seen many bad students get accepted, and make it through the degree, but then they get out into the world and cannot make a living in music because they are not good enough.  Someone should have done them a favor and told them this, but unfortunately this does not happen.  The teachers let the students spend their time, energy, and money on a losing endeavor.  You cannot trust the faculty to tell you if it's best not to major in music.

On the other hand, I do know one person who was a horrible pianist when she auditioned as a freshman.  She was surprised they let her in.  She had a lot of talent, and a good college teacher, and she practiced with all her time, and she eventually became good and successful.  But this is the exception. 

If you doubt your abilities, perhaps double major in business to be safe.  Business is easy and will not take away from your practice time.

 

[Bob]

Ditto that.

I would say nearly everyone who comes in at least improves.  Some improve faster.  The people I see who graduate and are the top of the crop were already very good going in.  If you start off on the weaker end, you probably end up better than you were before but still not the best.

Colleges are businesses.  They are concerned about money and they do just "process" students.  Take a look at how many students are entering the program compared to how many are leaving.  Is it equal or is there a big difference and most drop out?  What kind of jobs are those graduates getting?  I have heard "everyone gets a job upon graduation" but really what does that mean?  Everyone might be getting a job at a fast food place, or more realistically, everyone is getting the straight-out-of-college, bottom-of-the-pile crappy starter jobs.  Also keep in mind with the number of grads, you will be competing against them and every crop from previous years and years coming up, and that's just at this one school.  (No pressure, huh?)

In auditions, the profs are looking for potential.  They look for musicality over a few mistakes.  They want a student who is willing to learn and follow their advice, as opposed to one who thinks they know it all and doesn't listen to the teacher.  Willingness to learn, expression, potential, and potential to suceed during and after schooling is what the teachers are looking for.

That makes me think you might also end up with a naive student who doesn't play well, but has the money for college.  They getting accepted, take up space, pay the college, and then don't get anything after graduation.  Kind of the ultimate suckers who keep the colleges in business.  Not that that's you, but I do think that is happening out there.  A place of higher education pulling the ultimate joke by extracting money from people who are supposed to be more educating than the ones not going to college (but who still have their money).  Something to think about.

[dan101]

It's tough to say whether you played badly or you thought you played bad. There is a difference, often times. If it's any assurance, my humblest students often play the best and are also the hardest on themselves. However, I would get some 'second' opinions form other pianists or colleagues, with respect to your level of playing. Good luck.