Klarinet Archive - Posting 000383.txt from 1997/10

From: "Donald Walkner" <dwalkner@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Thoughts about college auditions
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 23:49:43 -0400

-----Original Message-----
From: Edwin V. Lacy <el2@-----.edu>
Date: Friday, October 10, 1997 5:17 PM
Subject: Thoughts about college auditions

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

Thanks for the informative letter. That will help me with my college
auditions!

Amy
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