<p>Clarimom - There is no way I could have accompanied my kids for auditions! I used to love being their accompanist for festivals when they were younger - I got to go in when other parents didn't! I accompanied my D's entire violin studio, so I got to see how the other kids did, too.</p>
<p>But college auditions were a whole new ball game. The stakes were too high. If my kid had a bad audition due to me, it would haunt me forever. Two out of four of my S's auditions were accompanied, and the money we paid was well worth it!</p>
<p>Some schools expressly prohibit applicants from using a parent as their accompanist. Anyone planning on doing this should call all of their schools far enough in advance to check the individual policies and arrange for a different accompanist if necessary.</p>
<p>S is not at college audition age yet; still a junior. When he reaches that point, we certainly will be looking carefully at the accompanist rules. I was talking about high school competitions, recitals, etc. Having a DMA in piano performance myself, I'm pretty picky about the piano playing, especially when it comes to my own kids' accompaniment. :-) I wouldn't have had it any other way--both of my children and I have had some great moments together making music.</p>
<p>I accompanied my kids for school festivals/solo & ensemble contests (S1 all through h.s., S2 earlier). S2's repertoire outgrew the time I had to master the accompaniment during his sophomore year of h.s. His college auditions were all unaccompanied. </p>
<p>I found for H & I that the secret of supporting them on the auditions was keeping our mouths shut. No advice, no offers of help. We just sat quietly with a book/puzzle/laptop and worried while holding his coat, water bottle, case, etc. I knew he wouldn't eat all day because he didn't want to have to brush his teeth (plays a reed instrument), but we had energy bars and extra water with us, along with all his emergency music supplies. We also tried not to pepper him with questions when he was done.</p>
<p>For audition #1 (safety), he was nervous to the point of shaking. I knew I had to be extra calm, but once he started to play, he was okay and was really exhilirated when it was done. For audition #2 (first choice, maybe a reach, where he is now), he was not noticeably nervous, but we knew how important it was and how much he wanted it. The whole focus of his preparation had been getting into the school. We heard two of the 3 parts of his audition and were moved to tears by how he played. He was a bit annoyed that we were so excited. Audition #3 was not really a consideration, so it was stress free, except for the 12-hr. round-trip drive in the aftermath of a snow storm in barely 24 hours. </p>
<p>Good luck to all those auditioning this year. The kids truly are amazing.</p>
<p>Can someone post some specifics of CIM's violin auditions? Is it just 10 mins, or do they really pick apart your repertoire? I've heard they're really organized on audition day...can anyone give me a sense of what it's like?</p>
<p>S begins auditions for entry to jazz studies programs in 2 weeks. I probably am more nervous about it at this point than he. Naturally, father wants best for S. His coolness is likely a reflection of his love of jazz.</p>
<p>My son was a pretty cool cucumber throughout his jazz auditions, too! It's hard for me to relate to, but perhaps it is the natural approach of the true jazz musician. Good luck to everyone--we have a special place in our hearts at our house for the jazz kids--but, I wish all smooth sailing.</p>
<p>Good luck on the CIM audition! There may be some changes this year (the requirement for DVD prescreen is new, perhaps there will be other changes?), but I can give you some specifics based on past years experiences by a number of students.</p>
<p>1) The faculty is very warm and supportive. They do hope to hear students do their best and may chat briefly - something innocuous like the weather or greet you if you've been in contact earlier - to help you calm down. (Of course for some, that may be worse than a strict let's get to business, no nonsense approach!)</p>
<p>2) In the recent past, auditions have been a full 15 minutes. Expect to play more of your concerto than the 1st several pages. Many students play virtually the entire mvt - even long 1st mvts like Tchaikovsky. (Obviously, it shouldn't be a problem to play an entire 1st mvt of the choosen concerto, but so many even top conservatories hear just 2 - 3 pages, so some think that's all they really need to have down!)</p>
<p>3) Bach - definitely will hear an extended chunk. Memory slips (if they occur) aren't considered a major problem if everything else is stylistically correct and well played. (and if the concerto is well presented showing high ability) Nerves can effect Bach unexpectedly!</p>
<p>4) I have heard of very few students that played their prepared Paganini and none who were asked to play any other etudes. </p>
<p>5) Auditions in past years have not been in a room with a stage.</p>
<p>6) The day is well organized with lots of student helpers. Ask them anything about the school including dorm and social life if you are interested. </p>
<p>7) Theory test - same for both undergrad and grad - gets harder and harder as it goes on. They don't expect undergrads to be able to do all the skills - and if the playing is good, a poor theory test result (if it happens) is not a deal killer for admittance. I've known kids who have placed as high as counterpoint (normally junior year class) for their 1st freshman theory class and others who have been required to take pre-conservatory theory. They expect a range of theory backgrounds.</p>
<p>Anyone have any description of the "scene" for jazz auditions at Oberlin, Peabody, McGill, New School? Allmusic has been a great reference (and counselor!)--anyone else gone through these particular auditions?</p>
<p>I can only comment on the New School. You can arrange for a tour and info session on your audition day. They have lovely people doing their public relations for admissions, and part of the tour is sitting in on someone's ensemble practice. My son got to watch Reggie Workman work with some of the top kids at the school, and he was pretty starstruck. Reggie did my son's audition as well. It was fairly short--maybe 10 minutes. He played with some undergraduate back up musicians, and Prof. Workman spoke some cryptic jazz-speak to him, like "ok, now walk it around the room once and take it out the door," or something like that, which I think my son talked about for weeks. All in all it was positive, relaxed and great fun. Especially if you get to meet Workman, who is a legend.</p>
<p>My piano performance daughter is flying to Indiana University tomorrow to audition on Friday. She wants to wear her usual long black dress, but she's going from 80 degree Calif. weather to 15 degrees. Do the girls just wear nice pants and blouses with flat shoes for auditions in freezing weather like that, or do they change into more formal, but colder clothes in the bathroom once in the building? Also, if anyone can share their experience of auditioning at IU, Univ. of Houston, or Rice, please do so.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Nice slacks and blouse certainly appropriate for instrmentalists; DD dressed that way for all her auditions. Voice majors tend to go the dress route.</p>
<p>She should wear what is comfortable - but the long black dress may be over doing it for pianists. Sometimes the girl cellists are in long black dresses, but not many instrumentalists will wear long black, except pants outfits. Zep has good suggestions.</p>
<p>Good luck to your daughter! Last year's auditions for violin at IU were 10 minutes (strictly!) with almost no give-and-take between violinist and listeners. They use different rooms and the experience varies widely from that point of view. My son was auditioned in a blackened theatre with full stage lights. It was the only audition he did which was that formal. He was wearing a black shirt over black pants - no jacket or tie. He played the pieces on his rep list (parts of them), was asked no questions and left through the stage door. It was very formal with almost no interaction with the faculty. There are about 12 violin faculty at IU, but only 3 were at the audition so I suppose it can be a crapshoot. I understand that they try to have at least one of the faculty there who was chosen by the performer if your child listed preferred teachers. Other schools he auditioned had had the full violin faculty in the room. It was a good setting for him, luckily, and he now goes there. But he had no clue how it was received at the time - couldn't even see their faces.</p>
<p>I understand that there can be an issue with finding practise rooms. He didn't have a problem, but it would be a good idea to allow plenty of time to find a place to practise before hand.</p>
<p>Oberlin auditioners, apart from female singers, who wore dresses, were fairly informally dressed, especially the jazz auditioners; a suit and tie would be ok, but not necessary. Dockers, a shirt, and a sweater would work fine.</p>
<p>Thanks for the IU info, Stringfollies. We are heading there tomorrow for a Friday violin audition. She had a short lesson with a professor there early this fall; he liked her and asked that she notify him of her audition date so that he could be there and suggested another, hour long lesson prior to the actual audition. So that's the plan, and hopefully the early morning lesson will make her more relaxed and confident for the actual audition!</p>