Klarinet Archive - Posting 000364.txt from 1997/10

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Thoughts about college auditions
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 17:58:07 -0400

In the spirit of helpfulness, here are a few thoughts for all you high
school students who are preparing to do auditions for college. Just a few
minutes ago, I sat on an auditioning committee for a student who was
playing her audition, and several things occurred to me which might be
useful, and I present them for your consideration.

First, it goes without saying that you must carefully prepare the
materials you are going to play. Remember that what the committee wants
to know about you varies from school to school, but generally, they want
to find out if you will be able to learn in a four period what they want
to teach you. Don't feel that you have to play a perfect performance in
order to be accepted. If you were already a professional, they wouldn't
have anything to teach you.

These basics out of the way, most of what I would like to say relates to
more incidental matters, but important ones if you are going to be able to
present your abilities in the best light.

1. Find out what the audition requirements are for the school or schools
to which you are applying. If they want a particular solo piece, or
etudes, or certain scales played in a certain style or speed, know that
before going into the audition room. This information is not secret, and
every good school will be pleased to tell you that in advance. If given
free choice, get the advice of a teacher and make appropriate selections.
Do not take the 3rd clarinet part or the 2nd bassoon part of a band work
from your band folder as audition material.

2. Take care of the fundamentals. Make sure your instrument is in good
condition, and if you are a reed player, that you have a reed which works
reasonably well. Warm up properly before going into the room, but by no
means make the auditioning committee wait for you while you try to get in
a little last-minute practicing. Be on campus early enough to find out
where the audition room is. Be on time, or a few minutes early.

3. Dress appropriately. Jeans, shorts, short skirts, sandals, etc., do
not help make a good impression. Don't have your hair made over into a
hip, movie-star or starlet style, and don't wear extremely heavy makeup.
Be business-like. Dress comfortably, but presentably. For women, high
heels are almost always a bad choice. If your knees begin to shake a
little, this lesson will be brought home in a very real way.

4. Remember that you are being assessed in many ways in addition to the
evaluation of your musical performance. Be straight-forward, respectful,
direct and congenial, but not overly familiar. Try not to convey
arrogance, fear, resentment, conceit or too much non-chalance. If someone
offers their hand, shake hands firmly - no dead fish handshakes, please.
Smile!

5. Focus on the task at hand. Don't devote any mental energy to
wondering what the auditioners are thinking about what you are doing.
Stay in real-time. That is, don't think about any mistakes you may have
made in the music, or any difficult passages coming up. Enjoy the music
you are performing.

6. If the auditioners ask you any questions, answer as completely but as
concisely as you are able, in a firm tone of voice. Look directly at the
person to whom you are talking. You can't be prepared for any and every
question you may be asked, but prepare a little. Have a copy of your high
school transcript or resume at hand. Prepare a repertoire list. Know the
name and something about the background of your private teacher back home.
Oh, yes - be able to properly pronounce the name of the composer of the
music you are performing. Know what to say if asked what make and model
of instrument you play.

7. When you have finished and are excused, smile and say "Thank you."

8. If you _really_ want to make a good impression and be thought of as a
truly special prospect, when you get home, send a brief note to someone at
the school, perhaps your prospective major teacher, the head of the music
department, or someone in the admissions office, thanking them for
listening to your audition and for making you feel at home (if they did
so.) _Very few_ students do this, and it can make you stand out in their
minds.

9. Remember that those listening to you want to make you feel comfortable
and at ease. They have their job to do in the audition, just as you do.
It is not their intention or in their interest that you fail to do as well
as you are able. They are on your side.

10. Remember that the audition and acceptance process is a two-way
street. You are auditioning the school as much as they are auditioning
you. The whole purpose is to make a proper match between students and
schools. Try to find an opportunity to establish communication with the
person who may become your major teacher. This person will exert a major
influence in your life.

I hope you find some of these items helpful. Good luck! Would others on
the list care to add to the above?

Ed Lacy
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Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
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