Audition+Tips

Preparation
Use every possible resource as you prepare for an audition. Consult your music teacher, private instructor, or other community experts to learn about the music. Web searches will also yield some very helpful results too! Recordings (mp3) of most music played for band festivals are available for free on the internet at college music department websites, music publisher sites, or on sites like YouTube or Google Video! Listening to a performance of a musical selection is one of the best ways to learn to play it!

Gradually intensify your //**regular practice schedule**// during the months leading up to an audition. If you have not already established a regular practice schedule, it's never too late! Begin setting aside time for technical exercises, scales, arpeggios, excerpts, solos, and music you will be performing. Don't forget to throw in some fun stuff too! A regular routine of playing your instrument is the only path to success! One famous professional trumpeter said "If I miss one day of practice, I know it; if I miss two days, my fellow band members know it; if I miss three days of practice, everybody knows it!"

Find the most difficult music passages and play through them slowly. Here is an article about the [|benefits of slow practice].With repetition and a gradual build-up of technical and musical understanding, you will play them well by audition time. Next, be sure to practice ALL music needed for the audition; the "easy" parts are also easy to play incorrectly under pressure. Students commonly lose all confidence while sight reading these "easy" sections in auditions! I've witnessed many fine players falling apart in audition rooms after they were surprised when judges asked them to play "easy" parts!


 * [|Performing Arts School.com Audition Tips] ||
 * [|Todd Kerstetter's Tips] - Kansas State University ||
 * [|Barrick Stees's] Tips ||
 * [|Wisconsin Music Educator's Association Tips Page] ||
 * An Article from [|Educationplanner.org] ||

Confidence Building
Think "success" "Visualize" yourself doing well When practicing, press the keys and valves of your instrument down hard to be sure of all finger patterns Learn the dynamics, foreign terms, articulations, and other music symbols as you learn the notes Record yourself and listen critically Do mock auditions for your teachers prior to the "big day" with scoresheets or written commentary

Calming Your Nerves
Relaxation during a stressful audition is difficult to achieve unless you are well-prepared, so set yourself up to be relaxed by being confident and ready!

Judges
The mindset of audition judges is not what you think! I have judged numerous auditions during my career as an educator, and it is always my wish that candidates to sound their very best! Judges in the audition room want the candidates to be relaxed, prepared and comfortable so they can deliver a top notch audition.