Thinking of joining an orchestra or an ensemble that requires an audition?
Here are some tips…
Before the Audition
- Be Courageous
- Be a Detective – find out where, when, the requirements, and read the notice carefully.
- Self-Assessment – Do I have a piece to play? Do I have the right scales to play? What if my sight reading is terrible? Is my equipment in good working order?
- Ask a music teacher, friend or grown up to help:
- select a piece to play;
- check if the scales are the correct ones;
- find random pieces around to sight-read;
- play for family, friends, pets, stuffed animals, etc. (dress up if you would like!);
- continue to practice and repeat #3 & #4 often!
Pre-Audition Checklist
- Do you have the sheet music that you will be playing from?
- Do the requirements ask that you bring copies of your music for the judges?
- Is your instrument and your body in good working order?
Day of the Audition
- Arrive early to get settled, find out where the audition room will be.
- Find a place to unpack, tune and focus on yourself (regardless of distractions).
- Review your scales and piece.
- Be in close proximity to the audition room when it is close to your appointed time.
Entering the Audition Room – “I am so nervous! What do I do next?”
- Walk confidently towards the adjudicators to hand them your info sheet (if required).
- Look for clues where to stand/sit, such as the music stand! That’s the best clue!
- Introduce yourself (if you would like)
- Introduce your scales and pieces (if you would like)
- Sight-reading: Look through the music carefully, silently go through and check:
- Rhythm – what time values are those notes? Quarter notes? Eighth notes? Rests?
- Sharps and Flats, What key is the music in? Do you see any accidentals elsewhere?
- What’s my best guess how fast this should go?
- Play through the piece, silently fingering the notes and rhythms. Don’t forget to include the rests too!
Be courageous! You can do it!
Designed for ESYO by Yvonne Hseuh
