 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: HeatherCG
Date: 2015-01-21 04:16
This is probably a slightly weird question since it's more about attire and not really about the clarinet. But I'm about to head off to my graduate auditions in less than a week. And I just have no clue what I should wear.
Someone told me not to wear a dress because no one will take me seriously in one. I don't want to be too casual but I don't want to be too dressed up.
What have you guys worn for auditions like this? Examples will really help me out.
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Author: Filettofish
Date: 2015-01-21 05:13
I don't think anybody would take me seriously either in a dress (ha) but I've found that business attire is usually a smart choice for audition day. At my most recent college auditions I have not felt out of place wearing a suit and tie, however I've seen everything from jeans and a flannel shirt to full on tuxedo; somewhere in the middle is preferable.
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2015-01-21 06:07
Business attire is definitely a bit harder to define for females... I've felt comfortable before in black pants and a nice shirt with a black blazer. For shoes, just whatever's comfortable. I personally wouldn't go with heels, but whatever you're comfortable in.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2015-01-21 18:54
>Someone told me not to wear a dress because no one will take me seriously in one. >
Then that's a good reason to wear a dress, as a weed-out, because studying under or working for anybody with such a grossly sexist attitude would be total hell.
Only slightly kidding about that.
The last two weekends, I judged high school Public Forum debates (teams of two against two), in a large, invitational forensics tournament at George Mason University and at a smaller regional forensics meet at a nearby high school. Suggested attire for students was similarly vague: "business" or "business casual (but not too casual)." Most of the young men wore either suits and ties or slacks and sports coats with ties. Most of the young women wore either trouser suits, slacks with sports shirts or simple black or dark-colored dresses with flats or low heels. The length of the dresses ranged from just above the knee to mini. Either way the young women looked (and sounded!) as if they expected people to take them seriously. I think judges and fellow students did indeed take them seriously (and anybody who didn't would get no respect from me).
I did think the mini dresses weren't the best choice, though, because when the young women sat down, facing the opposing teams, they had a squirmy time keeping the clothes under control. The potential for unintended exposure is a distraction you don't need if you think you might need to sit facing an audience or judges at any point. And heels -- yikes, they're so uncomfortable that I've quit wearing them altogether, but even back in the days when dinosaurs ruled the earth, I never tried to play a clarinet or a sax while standing up in high heels.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
Post Edited (2015-01-21 18:56)
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Author: Kel
Date: 2015-01-21 20:13
A retired HS band director I played with in the past said he knew he'd never pass his piano test. So he rented formal wear, tails and all, to wear at his audition. They laughed and gave him a mercy pass.
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2015-01-21 23:56
Why wouldn't all such auditions be behind a screen? Whatever justification there is for removing all influence of appearance, clothing, age--- in some settings, should apply always. Or it shouldn't apply in any settings. Anyone care to argue for 1) always 2) never or 3) sometimes?
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2015-01-25 02:01
Not sure how much this helps you specifically, I auditioned at the Royal College of Music for their Master of Performance course in December. I wore trousers and a shirt, not formal, just nice casual. I'm a guy though so as I said, not sure how helpful this is.
I got in though!
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Author: eac
Date: 2015-01-28 22:41
As a general rule, match your attire to the music, i.e. no frayed jeans for classical repertoire. But more importantly for women if you ever want to perform or audition in a dress or skirt is the length of the skirt. If any chance exists that you would be on a stage with the audience or judge sitting below the floor of the stage, the view from the audience will be up your skirt. This is NOT a flattering look, no matter how good your legs or age. Futhermore, low heel looks better than flats. High heels leave the audience wondering how comfortable is for the player to stand. It is also worth making sure that the soles of the shoes don't click or make noise on stage. And it is really worth it to look very critically when you wear a short sleeved or sleeveless top or bodice for unsightly bulges or flabby upper arms. Your goal is for your music to be the focus, not your attire.
Liz Leckey
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