Seating Auditions - HELP!!!!

juneroses · Post by **juneroses** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:31 pm

I have seating auditions coming up in a few short weeks. I will get the piece one week in advance and there's a sight reading but I want to brush up on lots of things before I have the piece to worry about. Things like, tone, intonation, etc... I really really really want to get a really good chair this year especially since I have a really awesome insturment this year to audition on! So please give me your tips, what kinds of things do you guys do to really wow people during the seating auditions? What kind of advice do you have for like nervousness and things like that? Any handy tricks would be really truely greatly appreciated. There are about 30 flute players in our school all divided into 3 seperate bands. I wish to make the first row of flute players in the second-hardest band so I will have the option of auditioning for a piccolo part later in the year. So as I was saying, any thoughts or suggestions on how I can prepare for this audition I've been agonizing over all year would be totally totally appreicated

(even if you think it's stupid and useless, post it anyway!)

Schof · Post by **Schof** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:20 pm

Dyou know the room that your audition is being held? If you don't you should try playing in it a little so you get used to the accoustics. It you are used to playing in some muffled shop classroom, it could surprise you when the sound doesn't come back to you. Hearing yourself play in that room will help you decide what you need to work on that you might not have noticed in your living room.

juneroses · Post by **juneroses** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 6:24 pm

it could be held in one of two rooms:

- a soundproof practice room. The sound pretty much stays in the room. I have the oppertunity to practice any day during lunch and after school. The room is small and square shaped.

-a tiny music office. It's full of lots of desks and shelves its quite crowded and occupied by lots of teachers during the day. It's very cramped. I'm pretty sure it'll have the same effects as the soundproof room.

gollum · Post by **gollum** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 12:24 am

Nervousness strikes everyone, be prepared for the adrenaline rush and use it to your advantage playing. Who ever you are auditioning for is probably well aware of everyones nerves so don't worry about it. Since you know where you're aiming for and have been preparing for it, you're probably on top of things musically. You're expected to know the notes and rhythm, so give them all you've got in dynamics. What else is important? Your attitude. Have faith in yourself, show your confidence. Picture yourself wherever you are most comfortable playing and imagine you are alone and just want to hear your music soar and move you.

A very important note I read after someones audition, after mentioning the tone, articulation etc., "confident, but not cocky". Aim for that. Good luck!

Starqle · Post by **Starqle** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 8:35 pm

Alright, I don't know if you've already had that audition or not.

If not, here's my advice:

Stop thinking about what chair you want to get. When you walk into that room, don't worry about impressing whoever is listening to you. 1) It'll probably make you nervous. 2) That leaves you will less room to think about what you're actually do. So... just play your best. Enjoy the music as much as possible. Yes, you'll sound better... but more importaintly, it makes music pleasurable rather than a rat race.

Stuff to practice:
- Scales. Even if you don't have to play them, they'll probably help you with the sight-reading.
- Sight-reading.
- Auditioning. If you have a willing friend/parent, play in front of them.
- Tone.

Remember to not over-practice the day of or the day before the audition. Your lip muscles may get tired, resulting in a bad tone that day.

juneroses · Post by **juneroses** » Sat Oct 15, 2005 11:42 am

thanks. that helps a lot. if anyone has anymore advice or things to think about then please post! my audition has been moved to the 31st at 7:15 am. thanks!