Auditions/Examinations

Thats right folks, its that time of year! College and University auditions are among us! Feel free to discuss your upcoming auditions/RCM examinations, along with past auditions/RCM examinations. Have questions? Tips or tricks for your fellow musicians? Post them here!

My only advice is practice, practice, practice. When I had juries coming up at university (I was an organ performance major) I practiced a minimum of 8 hours a day for two weeks before.

I got an A of course.

My only advice is practice, practice, practice. When I had juries coming up at university (I was an organ performance major) I practiced a minimum of 8 hours a day for two weeks before.

I got an A of course.
:lol: But of course!

The problem I would have with that is, as a voice major, I can't physically practice that many hours. Right now, it's a bit of a stretch for me to do anything more than 45 minutes, but that's partly because I'm still pretty young where the singing world is concerned. :)

For auditions, I would recommend getting enough sleep and trying to spend some time relaxing before the audition. Last minute practice sessions might just freak you out, but spending some non-practice-focused time reading or something can do wonders for your nerves.

I just did my audition at Queen's University (I'm a flute player) and it was a really good experience. Getting enough sleep is definitely good advice. And there is no point in cramming practice sessions in...either you're ready, or you're not. Although practicing 5-8 hours a day prior to your audition or exam may seem daunting, its okay as long as you break it up! Just be as prepared as you can. You'll be the only one embarrassed if you're not.
Also, don't go into your audition with stuff you just played in band at school. A lot of people just have no idea that there is specific repertoire that you need to have prepared, and you really should be enrolled in private lessons. Music isn't one of those fields you can just walk into, school doesn't prepare people who are looking into going into university for music. Most schools require you to have done your RCM Grade 2 Rudiments (theory) exam, and your RCM Grade 8 Practical exam. A lot of people just don't know that, or just don't have it.
Good luck everyone!

Well, for all the little kids out there... my grandson just auditioned for All City Orchestra. And when my children were in school taking music they didn't audition, they just took everyone and then all the people who couldn't keep up didn't show up the next day. I fussed about this and I see they have finally taken my advice.

Anyway... I am his viola teacher. They did not practice the audition music in his orchestra class so we went over it together and I told him the parts I thought he would have to play. I was right and since he practiced them over and over he got in.

Unfortunately, not everyone can afford a private teacher and this makes music a rather elitist major, if you ask me, since 99.9% of us are not going to get rich at it, especially playing classical music. There are only so many paid positions in big orchestras, and only so many of those. Most of us end up teaching privately or in public schools, working for churches (as I did for 33 years), and volunteering in the local symphony orchestra... for which we may have to audition!

My oldest daughter is a college professor and she is a fine cellist. She did not major in music because you have to work so hard practicing and doing all the rest of your work also. She auditioned at her undergraduate university for free music lessons and I went with her as her accompanist. We piddled around some with music and then ran through a cello concerto together. We were waiting for someone to come get us when the head of the music department poked his head in and said she had passed muster. They were all listening outside the door! Previously she was asked what make of cello she played, when it was made, etc. Good grief! She had free lessons all though uni and played in two city orchestras and a professional string quartet (auditions again!) and was able to use her music to help pay for her undergraduate and graduate schools.

She has a rock band and she plays her cello in it along with my violin. Her cello cost more than my first house! Of course the band has gigs and they are paid for them but thank goodness she got her Ph.D. because her main income is from teaching French.

I plan on being a music major (composition) but I don't take private lessons. A friend of mine told me about her teacher and she only charges I think $30-$50 a week. But I don't know if I will be ready for them because I haven't started taking them yet. My dad is always like "we'll see...we'll see" I'm not a good sight reader at all I know I need lessons since the band at my school is just a joke. But I don't know if I'll be ready this time next year for auditions.

What do you do at auditions?

My recipe for auditions: practice, practice, practice... and pray for the jury is in a good mood that day, and, especially, for keeping you safe of colds, injures and Murphy's Law in general.

A couple of months ago, I took an audition for my University choir (it's not professional, though a very serious one. They usually sing with very good orchestras). I had to sing two numbers from The Messiah, which I knew perfectly well because I had sung them in December with another choir. I had been practicing for about a month, it sounded great at home... But some wicked virus slipped into my throat and waited exactly for the D-Day to show up. I sang the best I could, but my throat felt like sandpaper and a parrot would probably have sounded better than me. Obviously, I was very politely rejected. Pity.

So, you know: if you're believers, try also to have the Great One on your side.

I plan on being a music major (composition) but I don't take private lessons. A friend of mine told me about her teacher and she only charges I think $30-$50 a week. But I don't know if I will be ready for them because I haven't started taking them yet. My dad is always like "we'll see...we'll see" I'm not a good sight reader at all I know I need lessons since the band at my school is just a joke. But I don't know if I'll be ready this time next year for auditions.

What do you do at auditions?

For an audition, they usually ask you to play 2-3 contrasting pieces at a required level. For my university auditions, I had to play 2-3 contrasting pieces at the RCM Grade 8 level. They will also ask you to sight read, maybe ask you a few questions and ask you to play some scales. There is usually a ear test and a theory test (Grade 2 Rudiments)
Your teacher will get you all set up for your audition, and will help you pick pieces. It's hard to pick them on your own, especially if you haven't heard them before!
And remember: HAVE AN ACCOMPANIST! And whatever you do...don't show up with band music. Have your repertoire prepared, and practice, practice, practice!

For an audition, they usually ask you to play 2-3 contrasting pieces at a required level. For my university auditions, I had to play 2-3 contrasting pieces at the RCM Grade 8 level. They will also ask you to sight read, maybe ask you a few questions and ask you to play some scales. There is usually a ear test and a theory test (Grade 2 Rudiments)
Your teacher will get you all set up for your audition, and will help you pick pieces. It's hard to pick them on your own, especially if you haven't heard them before!
And remember: HAVE AN ACCOMPANIST! And whatever you do...don't show up with band music. Have your repertoire prepared, and practice, practice, practice!

The highest I've ever played was a grade 6 =/ Thats the highest we have here. They say that they'd only want like a solo and another piece like a technical and musical I think

I used to be a judge for these.

What judges are looking for is you playing to your strengths. Pick music that will highlight these. Also, work on sight reading, know as many scales as possible (major and minor), and look like your having fun : )

Percussionists, start with your best instrument first (whether snare, timpani or mallets). Get a good momentum going. Then, pick your next best and down the line. This will help with your confidence throughout the audition.