10 Tips for Preparing for Instrumental Auditions

Many ensembles and colleges require a performance audition in order to be admitted into their programs or groups. I have worked with many students in my school and through private study to help them prepare for auditions for youth orchestras, honors orchestras, and colleges. I have noticed that it is sometimes difficult for my young students to stay on track, keep focused, have a positive attitude, or make effective progress in preparing for the auditions. With that in mind, I will highlight 10 ideas on how to prepare for auditions that will hopefully prove helpful to parents of music students and musicians alike.

Auditions can certainly be a source of stress and produce much anxiety. I think that with time and practice, the audition process does become easier the more it is done. It is also true that the more prepared you can be leading up to the actual audition, the more confident you will feel going into it.

1. Be Aware of the Audition Requirements

Each ensemble you are auditioning for will have different requirements. Be clear on what those requirements are. Auditions for youth orchestras, honors orchestras, and colleges will often require a musician to prepare several scales, a piece with two contrasting movements (a slow and fast movement), and sight read at the audition. Some auditions will state the solo piece they would like to hear and others may not. It is also important to know the correct edition of each work the judges may want to here. Many colleges may ask a student to demonstrate music theory skills or aural theory skills. It is important to be clear on the requirements for the audition you will be taking and prepare accordingly.

2. Prepare Well in Advance

It is important to prepare for an audition well in advance of the set audition date. Just like we can’t cram for a test, we can’t cram practicing. Being prepared for an audition takes time and diligence. It is important to know your music and the requirements for the audition several months prior to the actual audition date. Spend time in the weeks prior to the audition honing your pieces and skills. If the audition requires sight reading, practice sight reading through anything you can get your hands on.

3. Know the Whole Piece

Some auditions may ask a student play an entire piece from beginning to end, however, many just ask for a excerpt from the piece. This excerpt may be from the middle or end of a movement. This may be a less familiar section, therefore, know the whole piece of music! Many students may be able to perform the beginning beautifully, but not be as familiar with the middle section or ending. Practice all parts of a piece of music and be prepared to potentially play any section from the music.

4. Practice With the Audition Goals in Mind and Set a Schedule

This may seem obvious, but it is easy to get off track and only focus on the aspects of music we enjoy, like working on a solo piece or excerpt. Many of my students do not necessarily enjoy practicing scales, however, they need to know their scales and fingerings in order to know their music and meet the audition criteria. In this case, I try to help them set obtainable goals so they can be successful, stay on track, and be as prepared as possible for the day of their audition. Therefore, I may come up with a quick schedule for them.

For example, if the student has to learn nine scales for the audition we may set a date that they will have learned all nine scales or at least have gone through them all, even if some are still a struggle. We may then schedule two scales a day, one easier scale and one more difficult scale. We may then say that at the end of the week they will go through all nine scales. This ensures that they are making progress on their scales, but also working efficiently throughout the week. When possible, set a schedule to stay on track of your audition goals.  

5. Keep a Practice Journal

The idea with keeping a practice journal is to help gauge your progress in preparing for the audition. Within the journal you can write down areas in a piece, a scale, or technical issue that is still difficult and needs work. You may also want to include areas that progress has been made on. You can also include overall thoughts on playing like notes on intonation, bowings, or new discoveries you have made that day. This way you can come back to your notes and review your progress from each practice session. Keeping a practice journal will also help a student think ahead and plan for the next practice session or be aware of what they may need to come back to the next day.

6. Record Your Practice Sessions and Assess Your Progress

A great mentor of mine encouraged me to always record my practice sessions, gigs, rehearsals – basically every playing situation I found myself in. This advice was invaluable. Recordings of our playing give us a realistic view of our playing. Through a recording we are able to see and hear the areas we are strong in within a piece and also make notes on what may need work or more focused practice. I’ve learned a lot about my playing from recording myself. Recordings can help to expose issues with rhythm, intonation, phrasing, dynamics, and all aspects of music. Recordings do not need to be high quality – use whatever tools you have available to you. Because this was a high priority to me, I invested in a solid handheld recorded by Zoom – the H4N. However, use whatever means you have to document your playing, listen back, and take notes!

7. Perform for Others

Grab a friend, parent, family member, or other musician and perform for them. If they are another musician, you can ask for their feedback and for them to give you constructive criticism. It is important to practice performing for others to gain a comfort level with performing solo and in front of others. Many of my students play only in a large group orchestral setting. For them, performing solo, and especially in an audition setting, is a completely new endeavor. Therefore, I encourage them to perform for others in order to gain some comfort performing solo.  

8. Mock Auditions

I have had many students audition for honors ensembles over the years. As the audition date draws nearer, I hold a mock audition for them. While it isn’t the real audition, it hopefully helps to simulate the idea of the audition. Many auditions are “blind” auditions where the judges do not know the candidate entering the room. The judges may have their backs to the student auditioning or some other way the student remains anonymous.

With that in mind, this is how I have worked a mock audition with my students: I will have them pick a card with a number on it. I will of course not know their number. I will then have a scoring rubric, much like the judges would at an audition, with each students number listed on it. I will turn my back to them so that each student will be anonymous and one by one they will perform their prepared materials. I have found that holding these mock auditions really helps the students feel more comfortable and greatly helps them practice their audition skills.

9. Listen to Recordings of the Audition Pieces

When preparing excerpts or a solo of any kind it is important to reference recordings. One of the first questions I ask students when they are working on a solo piece or excerpt is if they have listened to a recording of it. If they haven’t yet, I definitely tell them to find one or look for one with them. Recordings give us the stylistic nuances of a piece and so much information about the piece of music. Of course, performers will take liberties and each performer will interpret a piece of music differently, but regardless, referencing recordings is key to grasping the rhythmic elements, melodic ideas, articulations, phrasing, style, and emotion of a piece of music.

10. Work With a Private Teacher

When possible and funds are present I always encourage students to work with a private teacher. The undivided, one-on-one attention of a teacher will help tremendously when preparing for an audition. They will be able to give important feedback and instruction and be a source of encouragement and inspiration.  

Conclusion

In closing, I always try to encourage my students prior to an audition and remind them that they have worked hard, they have prepared, and they are ready. No matter the outcome, I try to remind them of how hard they worked, the joy of music, and their value as a person and musician. No matter the results of an audition, the process will prove invaluable and through it students will grow tremendously in their musicianship.

I hope these 10 ideas prove helpful!

Do you have other tips on preparing for auditions? Leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you!