Audition Scheduling (Early or Late in the day)

College Majors Music Major
1

We have the opportunity to choose a time for an upcoming audition. Does anyone have an idea of when is the best time to audition? Should he go early when everyone is fresh-late so she is remembered or in the middle?

One other factor at this school is all of the teachers already know him (from camp)

Thanks

2

This article might be helpful or interesting, concerning timing: https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/magazine/do-you-suffer-from-decision-fatigue.html

My daughter had a couple of experiences when going first was not the best thing, however, and both times had to do with the panel not being early-morning people. Her college audition for the place she eventually went (and did very well) was at 7:30 am and the teacher leading the audition (who became her wonderful teacher for four years in the end) actually got her name wrong and asked for a Bach movement by name that was not on her program. She was so thrown, at 17, that she played under-par and ended up on the waitlist. The story had a happy ending, but she’s not a morning person and neither is he (nor probably anyone else on that panel.) For a precollege audition (one she didnt make) she was also first of the day and several key members of the panel did not even hear her play. I saw them get off the elevator and stand in the hallway clutching Starbucks cups while she was playing on the other side of the door. So, I wouldn’t pick the first slot if it’s early morning when auditioning for a panel of musicians.

3

Don’t be the last person right before lunch.

4

If it is for voice, early morning is typically not good as the voice usually takes some time to “warm up”. In addition to the comments above, you may want to check with your son for when he thinks he would play/sing best.

5

Right after lunch. Everyone will be in better moods.

6

My S had strong ideas about this. Not too early, but in the first four or five so people arent bored yet. I suspect it doesn’t matter much but if it makes him feel more confident, go for it!

7

We never had a choice about this, but luckily it didn’t seem to matter much! D was FIRST in the am (9 am) at Oberlin, and ended up there, so I guess everything turned out okay.