College Auditions

[treble97]

I'm a senior in high school this year with a bit of a late interest in piano performance in college. I've played for years but only recently started to be truly serious, and I'm having a bit of trouble choosing audition material. Pieces I'm working on right now are the moonlight and Pathetique sonatas, Rachmaninoff's 2nd piano concerto, and an assortment of smaller works by Liszt and Chopin. I'm a bit overwhelmed looking for a Bach piece from WTC, as I don't have much experience with fugues on the piano. Also, I'm not sure whether my sonata repertoire at this point is too cliché for an audition and if I should look for a new piece. I've seen most colleges require a 20th century work, but I'm afraid the only piece I've really played there is Claire de lune, another cliché I'm sure. Lastly, I'm not sure if the concerto could count as a romantic work, as it involves an orchestra. I know at this stage it will be a ton of work, but I'm willing to log plenty of hours at the piano. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[dcstudio]

wow..  you are playing the Rach second and yet you are overwhelmed by Bach WTC---you know you will have to play Bach every semester---better start learning counterpoint.

play what you play best---cliche or not.

moreso than your playing---they look for whether or not your are trainable.  If you want to impress them than have a broad theory foundation---can you play all your major and minor scales--do you know your key signatures---(btw if you are playing the Rach 2nd and you don't know your key signatures.... )  I have to ask sorry...

they will also put a melody in front of you  and ask you to harmonize it..  most people can't do it--be one who can...  be open and friendly but NOT overly talkative...  thank them for their time with a big sincere smile right before you go---shake hands if at all possible...

the chair of the piano dept will be choosing his students---if he/she likes you --you are in like Flynn.

Number one thing to remember---it's a business and they want your money....  they will probably let you in...  its getting out that's the problem.


Good luck to you....  music school is a blast.

[treble97]

Haha, I know, it is pretty ludicrous... The thing is, I come from a small town, and since I'm probably my teacher's best student, she let me do what I wanted to, which was usually romantic era. I've played Bach a lot in orchestra, though, so I know the fugal structure, I just was wondering if anyone had ideas on which pieces to play from WTC that would be impressive (but maybe not five-parts...). There's a lot of pieces in there.

And yes, I do know my key signatures 

[dcstudio]

Haha, I know, it is pretty ludicrous... The thing is, I come from a small town, and since I'm probably my teacher's best student, she let me do what I wanted to, which was usually romantic era. I've played Bach a lot in orchestra, though, so I know the fugal structure, I just was wondering if anyone had ideas on which pieces to play from WTC that would be impressive (but maybe not five-parts...). There's a lot of pieces in there.

And yes, I do know my key signatures 

Awesome! ok...you are serious.. GREAT.

and as far as having an issue with Bach---many do...  counterpoint is not my favorite thing to play either..  I think a bit too vertically and chordal because I play a lot of jazz..  I dreaded the Bach I had to play every semester...  I found though that the Suites were easier for me.  I played a couple of sections of those every semester...  and they were fine with it.   The French Suite was my favorite... must it be from the WTC..?  in that case  I always liked the Cmin which is cliche but so much fun to play...the prelude and the fugue are both cool.   I should say it was played a lot in my day but that was a couple of decades ago...  it may not be anymore.

like I said music school is a blast... but also a business.   Unless you are planning on one of the super high profile conservatories.. you will have no problem getting in... don't sweat it.