Audition "Journal" for UMiami Frost School of Music

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>God works in mysterious ways. In my case, mysterious is quite the understatement! The school informed me they wanted all students to be there at 8:30 am (which for my semester off is like asking me to tweeze my leg hair off.)</p>

<p>The morning of, February 8th, I wake up earlier than the sunrise. And I immediately start prepping: I took a mucinex to make sure I wouldn't have any gunk (which thankfully at first I didn't,) used my new Neti Pot (which actually tends to work for the first three hours until congestion sets in once again,) inhaled steam from a pot, and used some nose spray to help get everything out. That must have been too much! I didn't realize it at the time, but through the ninety minutes it took us to drive down to Miami from maybe 40 miles north in Boca, I found my voice to be very gravelly and rough sounding, not normal. </p>

<p>Meanwhile, we're 20 miles away, and it's 8:40 am. I called the school and they told me "you should have been here at 8:30 and known the rush hour." I didn't know people go to miami from afar! Anyways, we get there...about 9:40 I am shaking of fear that maybe they won't let me audition! I got there too late to sign up for the dance portion of my musical theater audition (so I cancelled that and just stuck with my classical voice audition.)</p>

<p>After many a theory test, aural training, and slugging across the campus for this and that, I was able to warm up. That's when I realized things weren't headed towards cloud 9 :-. </p>

<p>I couldn't hit the high note, etc. etc., so I just tried to make it so that I could showcase my voice if possible, and get out and go to sleep. </p>

<p>Since I got there SOOO late, they gave me a 4:15 audition slot! So I had all the time in the world to just tan if I so chose to (which didn't happen because there was an alligator in the lake where I was going to just plotz.) </p>

<p>Finally, I go inside at 4:00 and take my temperature, not feeling so great. It's 102. Wondaful!! It always happens that things like this should come on an audition day; a day that decides your fate--will you get in? or will you not?</p>

<p>4:10, the very personable judges call me in. They really were all that I could've asked for! Really nice, asking lots of questions. Then they informed me I would be videotaped, which...further enhanced my adrenaline. I start my first song, my nerves and sickness kind of make things difficult, and I feel my face twitching! I don't know why I twitch every time I get nervous! </p>

<p>There was one part where I remember in the second song (nel cor piu non mi sento) when I was going to emote and sound mad, frustrated, I ended up cracking because of my rebellious voice. And, well, the emotions didn't come through well. </p>

<p>Meanwhile, the entire time I'm there I completely forgot I was being videotaped, and noticed the judges never looked up at me once. So I kind of laxed my performance...and wouldn't you know it the second I was done I realized I totally screwed up as the last judge turned off the camera. </p>

<p>Five minutes after I finished the audition I felt completely better, no fever...How does this happen?? But, I stood outside the door and listened to the last few auditioners--they were excellent: healthy, great tone, timbre, so I left feeling a little underconfident.</p>

<p>But you know what? If I don't get in, I got some experience in. I learned at least you can only do SO much and then it gets obsessive! And...peanut butter apparently is a HORRIBLE thing to have before an audition (tip #411)</p>

<p>Now all I have to do is wait till march...maybe the "mystery" will be cleared up! And...maybe I'll get in? Who knows. All I know is I am not even close to being done with auditions yet.</p>

2

<p>Yes, that was quite the learning experience! Sounds like you have a good attitude about it though. I know I'm beating the dead horse, but always, always ask the locals how long it takes to get from point A to point B when you book a hotel. We were in an area where it took 45 minutes to go 6 miles in morning rush hour. Here's hoping the others will go more smoothly.</p>

3

<p>Jeremy, all you really need is ONE "knock 'em over" audition. Good luck at the remainder of your auditions. Where else are you going? Gee...I didn't know you had decided to take the semester off.</p>

4

<p>Nor did I! Are you on "sabbatical" from Tulane or did you just drop out? You wind up starting from scratch next year with theory, wherever you are. Good luck.</p>

5

<p>jeremy, no one nails every one. It's an audition, a crapshoot. There will be days you are stellar, and not make it, days that you're "eh" and are at the top.</p>

<p>Try to not create you own obstacles, there are always enough you can't control to deal with anyway.</p>

<p>And remember, it ain't over till it's over.</p>

6

<p>Hahaha yes it was quite an interesting day to say the least! Yeah, I can't say "Dropped out" because I am going back to college but yeah tulane is history lol.</p>

7

<p>Jeremy, where are you other auditions and when?</p>

8

<p>I am doing:</p>

<p>Loyola in new orleans (March 1st)
Otterbein (March 6th I think it is)
Duquesne (March 14th)
Point Park (March 15th)
NYU (not sure yet.)</p>

9

<p>Although I might not do either nyu or otterbein. But that's pretty finalized (the list lol.)</p>

10

<p>You should do Otterbein. It is a great school. My D is accepted to their vocal performance program. They give great scholarship money and talent award money.</p>

11

<p>Hello Linnlew,</p>

<p>Well I am strongly considering it! I've not heard ONE negative thing about it (and as you mentioned, the money thing is a huge concern for me and--I guess it is funny I am applying to nyu heh.) What did your daughter think when she went to visit for auditions? Supportive or cut throat people? Just out of curiosity.</p>

12

<p>OMG Jeremy, </p>

<p>The most supportive people ever...the faculty and the auditioning students. I will say it over and over again...Otterbein has the absolute nicest people working there. My daughter had a very good audition experience. They make everyone feel so comfortable. She also got to meet some current students in the music school and had lunch with them and some other auditioning students. You should definitely check it out!</p>

<p>Cartera45's daughter is supposed to be auditioning at Otterbein today and we are having the worst weather ever! I hope they made it here safely. </p>

<p>Good Luck to you!</p>

13

<p>Thanks Linnlew! I am excited now~ (and have never been to Columbus so that should be nice!)</p>

14

<p>just an observation...i know that nyu does not allow transfers to enter without a minimum of 32 college credits to their name. so it sounds like that since you have only been in college for one semester, i don't know if they will allow you to apply for the fall</p>

15

<p>Are you sure that's not for tisch? I thought steinhardt was little more lenient lol.</p>

16

<p>yes i'm postitive. i have a friend who is a freshman at muhlenburg and wanted to apply to steinhardt VP for spring 2008 and was told by admissions he would have to wait til the fall and spend his whole year at muhlenberg so that he would have enough credits to consider his application.</p>

17

<p>Bummer :(. At least I have OTterbein and others haha.</p>

18

<p>Hi all - we are STILL in Westerville Ohio - no way was I driving 7 hours in this weather so we booked another hotel room and are waiting until morning to head back. We have rain now, but there was a forecast for ice and snow between here and Maryland. The audition at Otterbein went well - they are incredibly nice here. Go for it Jeremy.</p>

19

<p>Glad it went well. Do be careful, catera45! Lorelei</p>

20

<p>See Jeremy,</p>

<p>Cartera45 said the same thing! Have a safe trip home, Cartera!</p>