Auditioning for College
The competition for admission into college music programs is becoming more selective every year. High school students aspiring for admittance in to quality programs must possess numerous attributes, including quality singing and a professional demeanor. The first impressions a student gives can make or break an audition.
One of the most difficult choices a student will make in the audition process is determining the schools they are willing to invest their time and money. Students who audition at a number of schools usually have better chances of admittance and scholarship consideration. Students who audition at only one school (and there many who do this) can be overlooked even if they have exceptional talent. The following guidelines can aid the student in the college audition process.
Most colleges have a website. Taking time to explore the website and gathering any pertinent information it has to offer is a good place to start when investigating schools. This is a way to gather information concerning curriculum, ensembles, tuition costs, scholarship opportunities, and the names and specialties of the faculty. Having this knowledge will help students be well-informed and articulate when talking with teachers during an audition.
The next step is to make a list of potential schools and schedule visits during the school week (preferably not on a Friday). Students should ask for a lesson with one of the teachers, letting the student decide if he/she would feel comfortable with the teacher, and giving the instructors a chance to become familiar with the studentÕs voice, ambitions, and personality. These lessons also can make the student more comfortable in the audition, allowing for a better performance. While on campus, auditionees should talk to the students at the school. Students enrolled in the program can provide the inside information on the school, its programs, and teachers.
It is standard practice for schools to send out specific audition requirements in their initial or audition-confirmation correspondence. Most music departments also post their requirements on the collegeÕs website. Adhering to audition requirements is very important. If a student auditions outside of these parameters, it demonstrates an inability to follow rules and a lack of motivation to meet the provided guidelines. Audition music should always be memorized even if the school does not require it.
Choosing appropriate repertoire is crucial for an acceptable audition. Students should sing pieces that optimize their strengths and reflect their potential. Too many young students audition with music that is beyond what they can physically, technically, and emotionally sustain with a high degree of success. It is not important to choose flashy or difficult repertoire to impress the audition panel. Rather, it is important to choose music that demonstrates the studentÕs ability to make music and communicate.
What a student wears to an audition says a great deal. Among the first details the audition panel notices is the singerÕs attire. A student dressed in jeans and tennis shoes presents an image -- however inaccurate -- of someone who does not really care to audition. Clothing that draws attention to itself can distract from the performance. For example, while a floor-length formal gown may be appropriate for an evening performance, it is inappropriate for an audition. It is better to be remembered for an outstanding performance rather than for the clothes worn during the audition. Ladies should wear slacks, dresses, sweaters, or suits. Gentlemen should wear at least a comfortable shirt/tie combination and nice slacks. Adding a sport jacket or suit are certainly acceptable. Comfortable shoes that allow for easy and graceful movement are important for both women and men.
A resume does not have to be extensive. It should list vital information such as name, address, phone number, and e-mail. It should also include a list of any roles performed, ensemble memberships, awards, special talents, and additional training (dance, piano experience, instrumental background, language study, etc.). Bringing a resume to the audition demonstrates that the student is serious about being a college music major.
It is important that students are available on a scholarship audition day, even if the student is unsure if they are good enough for a scholarship or that there is no financial need. If a student is going to audition, they should go ahead and audition for a scholarship. If special arrangements for a separate audition date have to be made because of waiting too long or because of a school conflict, the student often runs the risk of not being considered for scholarships.
A good accompanist helps make any audition successful. A poor one can create an uncomfortable atmosphere in which music making is very difficult. Understanding the collegeÕs accompanist situation for auditions is the studentÕs responsibility. If the student does not have access to a good accompanist that can travel to their audition he/she must make early arrangements with the school to secure a competent accompanist. If the school asks for music, it is better to send it through the mail than to fax it, since faxes are often difficult to read. It is important to provide music to an accompanist early to ensure a good collaboration.
Students should give themselves ample time to study their audition music with a voice teacher. By the end of the junior year the teacher and student should be looking at a variety of music that might be possibilities for auditions. If a private teacher is not available or the student cannot afford private study it is crucial that they use their high school choir directorÕs expertise in preparing for their audition.
The Practice Audition
To help prepare for an audition it is very helpful to create a mock panel of teachers and peers to practice the entire audition process. This offers the opportunity to work out the kinks in the music and calm the studentÕs nerves before entering the real audition. If possible, arrange to do this in front of a portion or all or the studentÕs high school choir; it can impress upon younger students the value of the numerous elements of the audition process.
Knowing what to expect during an audition makes an enormous difference in a studentÕs comfort level. It is important to understand everything that might be asked of the student during an audition. These expectations will vary from school to school. An audition could include any or all of the following elements:
This is the essential part of the audition. The student should walk with confidence to the piano, state their name and the title and composer of their audition selections. It is important to speak clearly, slowly, and be able to pronounce correctly the title of the piece and its composer. Too often students have learned a foreign language piece and never learned to say the title.
Learning a system of sight reading and practicing it on a daily basis will dramatically help any sight-reading audition. If a student is ŌborderlineĶ for admittance, but can read music well, it can improve their chances for admittance.
A tonal memory check is much less intimidating than it sounds. One of the teachers will play a series of pitches on the piano and ask the student reproduce the sounds on a certain vowel.
Sometimes a teacher will want to hear something specific about a voice that the audition did not cover. He or she may ask to vocalize the student a bit. This should neither be considered a good or bad sign during the audition. It simply answers a question that the teacher might have after hearing the audition.
The better prepared a student is for an audition, the greater the likelihood of success. Incorporating good musical and technical habits into practicing can lead to improvement and the same is true for practicing good audition habits. By researching different schools through the Internet and college visits, students can garner knowledge about the faculty and their program philosophies before entering an audition. Students should also prepare appropriate pieces well in advance, following the repertoire guidelines provided by the college. Presenting a resume and dressing professionally for the audition will help to create a good first impression. Securing an accompanist early and meeting the needs to the accompanist is crucial for a successful audition. With practice, sincere preparation, and a bit of guidance, the college audition process can be a positive and rewarding experience.
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Choose
and start working on audition repertoire and sight-reading exercises. |
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Explore
different school websites. |
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Discuss
different school options with high school teacher/private teacher/guidance
counselor. |
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Write
or call for written materials from schools you are interested in. |
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Create
resume to send to schools or to take the audition. |
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Schedule
school visits (Monday-Thursday). Ask to sit in on classes, talk with
students and schedule a private lesson. (This is often done free of
charge.) |
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Visit
schools. |
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Write
a thank you note to a teacher if you received a complimentary lesson. |
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Schedule
audition date and time. |
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Arrange
for an accompanist and schedule time to rehearse. |
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Decide
on attire for audition. |
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Schedule
and present a Practice Audition at least two weeks prior to audition. |
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Plan
to arrive early to the audition to have time to relax and center your energy
before the audition. |
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