<p>I did a search throughout the forum but couldn't find anything directly related to this topic.</p>
<p>For one of my auditions the website says that accompanist's are not required for instrumentalists. I am wondering if having one/not having one will matter at all to my audition?</p>
<p>I have heard arguments from both sides but would love some personal experience/feedback.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Every situation is different. The best thing to do is ask the teachers who will hear the audition, or someone who is very familiar with their preferences. Some prefer to hear pretty much everything unaccompanied to see whether the applicant can play in tune for an extended period without having anyone else to lean on. Others prefer to hear the work with an accompanist if one is called for.</p>
<p>I’m wondering about this, too. My daughter is auditioning at NEC on February 21. The studio there is high on her wish list. She was not planning to bring an accompanist-- we don’t know one in Boston and we will only be in town the night before her AM audition. Yesterday at a different audition I talked to a mom who told me that when her daughter had a lesson with a teacher there the teacher suggested that she bring an accompanist and gave her the phone number. I wonder if we are making a mistake? But on the other hand, if it is unnecessary to bring one or hire one, I’d prefer to do without. Any suggestions or thoughts?</p>
<p>When my son auditioned at NEC on cello he did not use and accompanist and was admitted. This was a number of years ago. However, he also thought about auditioning there for grad school just 3 years ago (decided not to) and was not planning on using an accompanist even at that level. I don’t think that it will make much difference one way or the other.</p>
<p>DS also auditioned at NEC (trumpet) in 2003 and also was accepted. No pianist. He never used a pianist at his auditions for undergrad or grad school.</p>
<p>My daughter was told that accompanists were not even permitted at her auditions, but that may be the way the bass world works.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reassurance. We’re going to skip the pianist.</p>