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Re: Nervous auditions

Author: Morrigan
Date: 2013-09-22 16:40

I find it interesting to look at WHY you get nervous, and turn it around to your advantage. For example, if I get nervous about an audition or competition, it is because I'm afraid of being judged because I CARE so much about the outcome of the audition. I'm afraid that if I don't play well, I will not be judged in a good manner and it will invalidate my hard work and sense of self-worth.

I then look at that first part - me really caring about how I'm viewed. I care about the outcome because I'm auditioning because I want to be in that ensemble. This is called enthusiasm. You're nervous because you care, and you're enthusiastic. If you didn't care, you might not get nervous, but you'd probably give a really deadpan performance.

Just today I was adjudicating a competition and the performers that did well were enthusiastic, had energy, enjoyed themselves and the music, but weren't necessarily the most technically competent people there. The most technically competent people looked almost bored, their playing lacked musical direction. Therefore I was bored too. It almost seemed like they didn't care...

I think what I'm trying to say is, don't be afraid to care about what you're doing and to take yourself seriously. You're out there showing a piece of yourself; your personal artistry. Show that. Sell yourself. If you're nervous because you care a lot, so be it. This will shine through and trust me, the panel will pick up on it and might just enjoy the music as much as you!

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