<p>I can speak to both jazz and classical auditions, so ask away!</p>
<p>In terms of dress, the jazz kids were clearly more casual. My son wore black dress pants, a dark shirt and tie, and looked appropriate everywhere. We saw some kids in suits (looked too dressy) and some in jeans (who looked underdressed).</p>
<p>For classical, the female voice auditioners were pretty "decked out", at least where we saw them. It seemed like most classical kids were in dress clothes, but only a few boys in a full suits; most were in more conservative colored shirts and ties, some with sweaters. The girls were in dark pants, or in skirts. I didn't see any casual pants (no khakis or jeans) at the classical auditions.</p>
<p>We tried to get to the farther auditions the day before, in order to get acclimated, and in case there were issues with travel. We did have one where we had to run from the train to the subway...and I wouldn't recommend that!</p>
<p>It sort of bothers me that donuts would be served at all before an audition. My son would be so gittery from the rush of sugar! I would think a plain croissant or plain bagel and some fruit, & bottled water, would keep some of the sugar gitters at bay. He even turns OJ down because of the rush. </p>
<p>I know kids don't want the healthier choices but hey, it's an all important audition.</p>
<p>My D never touched any of the stuff provided at the auditions. She always has snacks with her that she is comfortable eating in the hours before an audition. I think the parents eat more of the donuts than the kids. I was always too nervous to eat anything though.</p>
<p>I agree with Allmusic that the dress code for jazz students is sort of casual. My son had a pair of nice grey pants, a blue shirt and black v-neck sweater that turned into his audition outfit. He looked very professional dressed that way, but still like a kid. Some kids do the black shirt/black pants jazz uniform thing--undergrads at MSM wear this for performing, so it could be a good way to dress for their audition! Neat but not too dressy seems to work for everywhere. Jazz is loose, right?</p>
<p>My son seemed to be rock steady through a couple of stressful situations that were out of our control like an icestorm the night before the Purchase audition and a forgotten amplifier at Hartt (well, that was our fault). Things that shook me up. So, you can't always have things perfect and smooth--stuff happens even when you plan well. Remind your child to have lots of extra copies of lead sheets, maybe make a check list of the little things that you can go through the day you leave home and the night before the audition in case you have to run out and find something last minute! This happened to us in Amherst and we had a fun adventure using our GPS to find the closest shoe store. </p>
<p>I tried to get my son to look around the town and campus the day before because I think it was relaxing to see what the greater community is like outside that audition room. Somehow, going in with a little feel for the school, adds to their confidence and gives them things to talk about as well.</p>
<p>Rudysmom - my son, the cellist, has always worn black pants and a black dress shirt, black dress shoes. No tie and no coat. He really dislikes ties and avoids them when possible and the coat is restricting. He also has very long hair that he ties back when playing. He has had some very successful auditions so I think the outfit has not been a problem. Comfortable and conservative works.</p>
<p>My daughter did basic orchestral blacks for all her auditions as well. Being a bassist who stands for solo work and sits on a stool when playing orchestral passages (don't ask me, I don't know why either), she went with pants rather than a skirt.</p>
<p>No powdered sugar donut BEFORE the audition...but make sure you grab one (or three) on the way out:)</p>
<p>I didn't mean to "jump all over" the poster suggesting getting somewhere two days in advance. If that is financially and logistically possible, go for it. I will say, my son (and all of his music major friends who were auditioning at the same time...and in other years too) were already missing numerous days in ADDITION to those for auditions. For example, DS missed almost 20 days of school his senior year between auditions, festivals, competition, festival auditions and the like. His school was very understanding about auditions, especially the ones that were far from home, and his absences were excused. But some schools are not that understanding.</p>
<p>Agreed...you need to get there early enough to relax, be well rested, and get your bearings.</p>
<p>We always traveled the day before an tried to be there early in the day if possible to settle. DD had a ritual for night before and AM before voice auditions. She did well with all of them. For her, going too early would stress her more, not less. You need to understand yourself, too.</p>
<p>Thanks, Violadad--S2's first audition is NEXT MONDAY! he is as cool as a cucumber and I am a nervous wreck! I wish this were one of his safeties, but alas it is not. We've absorbed all of your great advice CC posters, so I think he's as ready as he'll ever be!</p>
<p>Good luck - it is as it should be that you are the nervous wreck. That is exactly the way it was with my D. More than once, she looked at me lovingly and said - "I'll see you AFTER the audition - okay?" That was my cue to disappear so she could get herself ready. I'm one who would do it all over again though - the time together was great.</p>
<p>I tended to hover before the audition. My D would eventually look at me and say, "Dad, don't worry, I'll be fine. Go relax." She was exactly right. </p>
<p>I'm sure your S is both talented and well-prepared. He's sure to find the program that's just right for him.</p>
<p>At one audition I was pacing around, and I asked my son if he wanted me to go get him water. He just stared at me. I said, "ok, I'm going to get ME some water so I'll be out of your hair!" It's amazing they survive us.</p>
<p>DD always let me know when it was time for her to go on her own to practice/warm up room and for me to go elsewhere. If I was lucky I could time my return so I could be outside the door without her seeing me. One time while she was waiting someone thought she was there all by herself and tried to adopt her. They were with their entire family. She just told them I was upstairs and she was quite capable of managing an audition thank you. </p>
<p>They are amazing. They do handle it better than we do . Good thing, since it will be their life.</p>
<p>Since I have always been accompanist for both of my kids' auditions, solos, recitals, etc., they always have Mom in there with them. Good news is that we have saved tons of money by not having to pay a pianist, bad news is that I'm doubly nervous now--for them as well as for my own playing :-) But it's been fun to always be a part of what goes on behind those 'audition doors'. Anyone else accompany their kids?</p>