Mastering Your College Audition: Advice for Future Music Majors

College Music Audition Advice

Auditioning for a college music program can feel intimidating for many high school musicians. Beyond preparing your repertoire, it's important to mentally prepare for the audition process. Here are some tips that I've gathered after my audition experiences:

1. Do Your Homework

• Research Prospective Programs: Begin by reflecting on your personal career and educational goals to identify schools that align with your aspirations. Take into account preferences such as location, cost, and size. The school's website can be a great place to learn about degree programs and specialities.

• Reach Out: Contact each prospective school and/or professor to let them know that you are interested in their program. Many professors are happy to provide a trial lesson for free or for a discounted rate. If you can, take the time to tour the school in the fall to make sure that the program is the right fit for you before you commit to an audition.

• Select Your Repertoire: Be sure to research each school's audition requirements for your instrument ahead of time. If you get to choose your own repertoire, select pieces that showcase your strengths and set you apart from others. If asked to perform contrasting works, include pieces from different musical eras and styles.

• Prepare Application Materials: Aside from the audition, there are often other materials required for admission. Be sure to prepare statements of purpose, resumes, and ask for letters of recommendation well before the deadline.

2. Preparation is Key

• Plan Ahead: Preparation is the key to building confidence. Create a daily practice plan with specific, achievable, and measurable goals before you even open up your instrument case.

• Take Private Lessons: If you don't already take lessons from an instructor who specializes on your instrument, now is the time to start! Mentorship and advice from a professional who has been through music school auditions themselves will be invaluable to your preparation.

• Create a Practice Schedule: Develop a regular practice schedule based on your peak productivity hours and ideal practice environment. To maximize productivity, set a timer for 5-10 breaks throughout your practice session.

• Practice Efficiently: Rather than playing through the whole piece each time you practice, prioritize practicing small sections that present specific challenges. Remember to use your metronome, tuner, and recording device to listen back to your practice sessions.

  
  

3. Build Stage Presence

• Mock Auditions: Auditioning isn't just about how well you know your music, it's about how well you can perform in a high pressure situation. Simulate a live audition by performing in front of friends or family.

• Practice Visualization: While you're practicing, visualize yourself performing in the audition space. Imagine that you are performing with your best tone and technique in front of the committee.

• Audition Attire: Plan out your audition outfit ahead of time and practice in it (including your shoes). Most importantly, wear something comfortable that also makes you feel professional and confident.

4. Audition Day Advice

• Deep Breaths: It can be normal to experience some anxiety before an audition. Deep breathing can calm anxiety by increasing your oxygen levels and helping your body to relax.

• Utilize Your Warm-Up: Most schools provide students with a designated space to warm-up before their auditions. Take this time to play through your usual warm-up routine and practice sections of your audition music at a slow tempo with your best tone.

• Think Positively: Approaching your audition with a positive mindset can improve your self confidence, alleviate performance anxiety, and positively impact the attitudes of those around you. As you enter the audition room, embrace a sense of excitement for the opportunity to showcase your talents to the committee.

5. After the Audition

• Follow Up: Thank the professor/committee for taking the time to listen to your audition. This can also be a great opportunity to ask any remaining questions about their program.

• Reflect on Your Experience: Take time to evaluate your performance. Consider what went well and areas for improvement moving forward.

• Reframe Your Mindset: Regardless of the results, try thinking of the audition as a positive growth experience. No matter what, you improved while preparing and that's what truly matters!

Remember that the outcome of an audition does not define your worth or potential as a musician, it's only a small part of the process.

Please comment below if you found this advice helpful and feel free to share with a friend. Follow @lindsey.flute on Instagram for more music and flute content.