Articles

Some Thoughts on Auditions

by Laurel Ann Maurer

Auditions are a fact of musical life. To those of you in high school or college who are seriously pursuing music, you will probably take many auditions in the next few years.

Auditions may seem scary, but you can learn a great deal from them and have a positive experience as well. Treat each audition as a performance. When the audition is over, evaluate your performance. Write down both the things that went well and the things that did not. Be objective and try not to let your emotions cloud your thinking.

Many people take numerous auditions before they get the results that they want. Be patient and positive. What follows are a few observations that I have made over the past 15 years. I hope that you find these suggestions useful.

In an audition situation you have three factors -- the judge or judges, the room and you. Let us address each issue separately.

The Judges

In most cases, judges want you to do your best. They are looking for talented and skilled players. They are on your side. Remember that you are not competing against anyone else, because this is not a race or a spelling bee. Each player will bring their own artistry to the audition. The judges will pick the player who has the qualities that they require. Never stray from impeccable musicianship.

The Room

The second aspect is the room or hall. You may not have a chance to practice in the hall to hear the acoustics, although in some auditions you may be given this opportunity. Be prepared for anything. One of my teachers used to practice in the most "dead" space that he could find so that he could be prepared for the worst.

He would also turn down the heat so that he could play in cold temperatures. This might seem a little odd, but he had a point. Over the years, I have played in really cold halls and sweltering halls; extremely live halls (where the Mendelsohn Scherzo echoed back to me as I was playing it -- with about a measure delay) and extremely dead halls. Practice your audition program in different locales and in front of an audience -- don't be shy. Use family, friends, neighbors and colleagues to listen and give you feedback. The more you perform your program, the more you will (hopefully) feel at ease.

You!

The third aspect is the most important -- YOU!!! Use your mind to train yourself to be calm. Some musicians use visualization techniques to prepare for auditions and performances. They imagine themselves taking the audition and playing flawlessly. They do this often, and many attest to its success. I also recommend a fine book on the subject called The Inner Game of Music by Barry Green. Learn to understand your own psyche when it comes to nerves. If you do feel nervous, learn to channel that extra adrenaline into the music.

Also, remember that nervousness is just a feeling. You are bigger than your feelings. I think that sometimes people get scared when they feel nervous because it feels so weird! All of a sudden they have sweaty palms or butterflies in their stomach and they feel that they can't control these "symptoms." Whether you can or cannot, you can probably control your motor skills. Focus your energy on the simple act of breathing. It can often calm you down.

Non-Musical Tips

Now let's say that you are as mentally and musically ready as you can be. Here are a few non-musical tips.

1. Be yourself. You will be more comfortable that way and you will project that comfort. An audition is not the time to try a new hairstyle or wear more make-up. Be well-groomed and nicely dressed. Dress conservatively. If your attire is a distraction, how can the judges give their full attention to your playing? Stick to simple, classic attire. Stay away from too casual, trendy or "funky" outfits. When in doubt, a white blouse and dark skirt for women and a white shirt and tie and dress pants for men will do nicely. How you dress is part of your presentation.

2. Be friendly and polite. SMILE! You may feel nervous, but a smile can break the ice and make you feel better too. If you have not had the opportunity to play in the room, you may want to ask if you can warm-up for a moment. But remember, everything that you play is being judged-even your warm-up.

3. Be open-minded to any musical suggestions that the judge may have. Try your best to play in the manner that they ask. When it comes to orchestral excerpts, practice them at different tempi so that you can be ready for anything.

4. If possible, arrive in the audition city at least a day in advance so that you are not tired from travel. This also gives you a chance to get used to the time and climate differences.

5. Show up to the audition early. The last thing that you want is to race in with only a few moments to get ready. Settle into the audition environment. But take care that too many backstage conversations do not distract you from your purpose.

6. Take care of your body. It must serve you well. Avoid junk foods, salty or fatty foods or too many sweets. Get enough rest and drink plenty of water.

In conclusion, if you hear little voices in your head telling you what to do as you play, set them aside. Get your mind back on the music. Hear the music. Feel the sensation of playing the instrument. Lose your self and be the music. When we let go of our ego, we can perform how we have trained to perform.

GOOD LUCK!!!