<p>Looking for suggestions here. My daughter had planned to wear a fairly formal black dress that she's worn for recitals, competitions, etc. However.....</p>
<p>This friday's audition involves a full day at the school, audition, interview, tour, etc. A little black dress doesn't seem appropriate for that type of day (especially given that it's late fall in Princeton). </p>
<p>Would a skirt/sweater combo be appropriate? Looks like we're heading to the mall after church, but wanted to ask the crowd in case someone was online early.</p>
<p>One option is to wear comfortable yet appropriate attire like the skirt/sweater combo, find a bathroom, and change prior to or after the audition. The attire should be interview appropriate, although the dress would be fine for that. A lot depends on how your day is structured. You’ll need comfortable shoes, so don’t forget if you do the two outfit route.</p>
<p>DD always traveled with a change of clothes. The black dress for the audition because that is what she felt best in, but the change of clothes for before or after if there were other activities. It is easy to change in the restrooms. You will find everyone doing it. </p>
<p>I carried the bag - just call me the bag lady for all auditions. I had the extra copies of everything with the backup CD resume and head-shot in case something was needed, the clothes and shoes and extra stockings, hair and makeup fixes if audition was later in the day, the water, the high energy snack. I carried the outerwear when she went in. Most times those things weren’t needed, but insurance.</p>
<p>Just curious. I’ve scanned the audition dress threads, and the suggested attire seems a bit formal for a jazz guitarist. Or am I completely out of it? Do they show up in slacks and black, etc?</p>
<p>Whatever you do, just don’t underdress. I came to my first audition dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt and felt extremely out of place as everyone else was dressed nicely.</p>
<p>BeezMom - I can’t remember what your D’s area is - voice? Instrument? Voice students seem to get dressier than instrumentalists, and classical instrumentalists seem to be dressier than jazz folks. Most of the instrumentalists I have seen at auditions were wearing dress pants and nice top (girls) or collared shirt, often with tie and jacket (boys).</p>
<p>When my D did her first audition last month (voice), it was a day-long event, filled with school tours, sessions with the music conservatory faculty/students, performance attendance. So, she brought the outfit and changed into dress and heels before the audition. Her dress is made of one of those knits that won’t wrinkle no matter how you stuff it in your bag. So, she was really comfortable during the day, but dressed appropriately for the audition.</p>
<p>My son was oblivious to the idea of dressing up. It was winter - which is foreign enough to a California boy - so he dressed for comfort in a long sleeve t-shirt and hiking boots for the snow! This was at Michigan for a composition audition - which included an audition on his primary instrument. The other instrumentalists were in suits, or tuxedos! And the other composers looked so strange to my son, dressed in jackets and ties. The professors on the composition panels kept wanting to talk about the graphic on his t-shirt (which belonged to his older brother and of which he had absolutely no connection) - probably they meant to put him at ease about being so underdressed - but since he was oblivious to the whole thing he just thought they were interested in the dinosaur skeleton! It never bothered him in the least that he was dressed completely differently than the other applicants - although just like the actual students milling around. (I, of course, was a bit mortified.) Earlier in the fall when he had an informal interview/meeting with the head of the composition department at USC he was in ragged cut-offs, flip-flops, and a tie-dye t-shirt. Again, he fit right in with the student body…</p>
<p>His clothing seemed to have no effect whatsoever on the outcome - at least not in a negative way. But I would certainly have encouraged at least a button shirt for the audition, and maybe nicer shoes…</p>
<p>Binx - D is auditioning as a Music Ed major - voice primary. She’s decided to go with a look that she feels would be appropriate for a teaching interview - Straight knee length skirt in black w/grey detail, grey and black open front cardigan, black dress boots(medium heel) and a teal blue cowl neck. Hair down with a headband. She can remove the cardigan for the audition. Friday is supposed to be sunny and 39 degrees, so I think the layers will be a bonus!</p>
<p>Quick update: The most common attire for the day was the jersey (fabric, not the state) version of the little black dress. 50/50 split between heels (high) and flats. Well, 49/49, because my Daughter wore mid heel boots. I have to admit to some palpitations on that one, but I kept saying to myself “they are dress boots, they’re okay. Breathe.” One young gentleman was in full performance tux attire - I’m guessing piano perf major. My takeaway - wear what makes you feel comfortable, professional and competent.<br>
Best of luck to everyone auditioning this weekend!!!</p>
<p>Oooh, not liking that idea of formal wear. It never looks proper before the sun goes down (!) and is not the thing to do for school auditions, no matter what how “important” the reputation of a college. Then again, I never understand why guys wear tuxes for daytime weddings either…
The flats vs. heels debate occurs every year, and is really a matter of personal preference- my D dislikes singing in flats and will only do so if required for a costume!
I’m sure your D was terrific today! Was it crowded?</p>
<p>Crowded in the AM - thinned out a bit as performance majors finished, Mus Ed majors stayed for interviews. As we were leaving, the grad auditions were taking place. Those were treated with the respect that is normally reserved for a religious service. We had to go to Admissions to get the HS excuse note, and were re-routed through the side door and definitely hushed. The entire voice faculty listens to those auditions. I have to say - it was nice to know the level of care they were taking to evaluate students that had already invested their lives to the study of music!</p>
<p>Most of the girls auditioning for voice whom I saw yesterday were in skirts, carrying their high heels; I only saw two black dresses. My D was unusual in very dressy pants, but we both felt she was appropriately dressed (especially given the snow in the forecast). The school’s voice majors were gossiping disbelievingly about the violinists auditioning in jeans and hoodies, though.</p>
<p>OK - Here’s the scoop from Oberlin yesterday. All of the singers we saw had on black dresses except a mezzo who had on pants. Boys wore suits. Auditions started at 9:30 and went until 12:20 at 8 minute intervals so you can do the math. Singers had 15 minutes with their accompanist prior to singing. Sing your two songs, "do you play any instrument ?"and then the next person comes in. D got to sing both songs all the way thru. There was a reception the afternoon before where the students get to meet the teachers and chat a little. At the welcome reception, we heard a vocal solo, bassoonist and pianist who were all super. Saturday, they had a financial presentation, four students who talked about their Oberlin experience, a campus tour and the admissions director comments. (Campus tour guide was exceptional) Thanks BEEZMOM for reminding me to get a HS excuse slip. My D forgot to tell me and I was reading your comments on this thread and she said “OH, I need one of those.” So I jumped off CC and headed to admissions. CC is so great.</p>
<p>I would say your attire is important. Remember…before you even begin to play or sing your audition, the committee is likely formulating an opinion about you (and likely your appearance plays into that). DS wore black slacks or khaki slacks, white shirt and a tie. He usually wore a sports jacket as well, but took it off for the audition itself. Comfortable shoes are VERY important. </p>
<p>DD (the one who is NOT a music major) did auditions at two schools. She wore very dressy black slacks and a black top…sweater type in cooler weather and a blouse in warmer weather. She is an oboe player. A dress would not work especially if she was sitting. She wore comfortable shoes…hair pulled back. Simple and comfortable.</p>
<p>Hartt auditioners: guys mostly in khakis of various hues and dress shirts, most with ties, a couple of suits, one guy very casual and looking uncomfortable about it. Girls mostly in dress pants or dresses, including the ever-popular little black dress. We also had snow in the forecast, but like many Connecticut blizzards, this one ended up with a light dusting that’s already gone except in the higher elevations.</p>
<p>The day was pretty well organized to my eye, with helpful signs and student admissions workers buzzing about. Free bagels and coffee, decent and relatively honest info session, lunch coupons, practice rooms reserved for auditioners in the half hour before their scheduled time, and very, very nice audition committee. And they promise results within a month.</p>
<p>I agree that it presents the right “picture” to dress appropriately. Violin/viola young men may not find jackets or ties ideal for comfort when playing. That’s OK - slacks (not jeans) and a button shirt also can present a neat appearance.</p>
<p>Also, agree about the shoes - but wanted to relate from personal experience that sloppy running shoes are not necessarily a deal killer. I would not recommend traveling without “good” shoes, but one of ours arrived from airport without “audition shoes” in suitcase and made his appearance with very well worn athletic shoes (didn’t even match the rest of audition clothes!). Was still admitted to both schools on that stop. </p>
<p>So, lesson, if something attire-wise goes awry, don’t focus on it. Project yourself professionally, even if the unthinkable happens and the airlines loses your suitcase and audition wardrobe!</p>