What Makes a Successful Audition? – Part 2

In Part 2 of the Audition series, we continue our conversation with Astrid Schween (The Juilliard School, cello), Danielle Belen (University of Michigan, violin), and Patricia Weitzel (Columbus State University, double bass). We explore what makes a candidate stand out and some common audition mistakes.

 This is this second part of a three-part series.

What makes a candidate stand out?

AS:  Candidates stand out by showing their potential.  Of course, everyone develops in different ways and at different rates, so as jurors, we are noticing these differences and trying to ascertain each candidate’s potential for artistic growth. I have found that musicians who are technically comfortable enough to sing through their instruments in order to create a meaningful performance tend to capture the attention of audition committees.

 DB:  Personality, confidence and charisma! Most of the time, this goes hand in hand with great playing, but sometimes a shy performer shows their potential in other ways, like an impeccable ear for cleanliness. Then stage personality must be developed, which is possible, but the desire must be there. 

PW:  There are a lot of great players out there, but I have noticed that the ones that stand out have a particularly high attention to detail...and they make the most out of it.

 Key takeaways:  Present a well-prepared and confident performance that shares your story of the music and is rich in expressivity and attention to detail.

 

What is a common pitfall you encounter in auditions and what can candidates do to improve?  

AS:  Sometimes, people get into trouble by selecting repertoire they think will impress the jury. This is often the case with concerto or etude selections that are just a bit too challenging for the current level of the player. Since it is so important to be comfortable with your repertoire, I think the best time to audition with a piece is after living with it for a long enough period that you almost can’t bear to play it anymore. That’s when you know it will be ready for an audition!

DB:  When performers try to play perfectly, they usually don’t. Especially if they are too consumed with their left hands. Perhaps a single bit of important advice would be to do everything in your power to focus on your bow arm while you perform. Even from a visual perspective, looking at your bow arm while you perform makes you appear more artistic and free, and the side effect is that your left hand can relax and, ultimately, have much more accuracy.   

PW:  Underestimating the time to prepare for auditions! Due to our day-to-day activities, generally we have much less time than we expect. It takes time to prepare yourself mentally and physically for an audition. Make sure that part of the preparation includes not only becoming familiar with the repertoire, but also looking up all the necessary information to participate in the audition so you minimize the risk of running into last minute problems.

Key takeaways: Choose repertoire that suits your level and strengths and that supports the ability to perform with accuracy and comfort. Focus on freedom of sound and expression and allow ample time to prepare intellectually, physically, musically, and mentally.