<p>Hi, Everyone. Was wondering if anyone’s S or D was at today’s audition. Spoke to my S and he was unsure of how it went … said his accompanist played slower than what his songs called for. Anyone experience that? I know there were 2 accompanists. Told him not to worry…it’s the vocals, etc, they are looking for and this can happen. We’ll see how it all turns out…many more auditions to go…</p>
<p>I have a student who is at Ithaca's audition today but obviously have not yet spoken to her as she is still on the trip. </p>
<p>For future auditions, when your son hands his music to the accompanist, he should mention the tempo he wants for the song, and mark the music accordingly as well. Also, remember that the accompanist's job is to follow the singer and not the other way around. He should sing the song at the tempo he wants and the pianist should follow his lead. He should not try to follow the pianist, in other words.</p>
<p>I have had this problem as well. But if they accompanist isnt playing at the tempo you have requested, you may just sing a little faster. If the accompanist is good, they will follow you. Thats my experience anyway!</p>
<p>Dealing with an unfamiliar accompanist is one of the challenges of auditioning, for sure. As soozievt says, the best way to prevent difficulties is for the singer to speak briefly with the accompanist ahead of time and discuss tempo, etc., as well as for the singer to have the cut of the song clearly marked. </p>
<p>Gotta say that one advantage to having to bring an accompaniment CD to auditions is that you avoid all these variations in tempo, etc. because the music is just recorded the way a singer likes it!</p>
<p>My D auditioned off campus (in the DC-Virginia) area for Ithaca and used a recording. </p>
<p>Best of luck, everyone, with the auditions at Ithaca! It's a great program.</p>
<p>Hi, Sooziet -- I only spoke briefly to my S but he did mention that he just kept singing ...felt the accompanist wasn't too good (I should mention that my S is an accomplished Pianist who accompanies his friends when needed!). Anyway, I'll hear more when he gets home. I'm interested in your advice about having a CD ---we just assumed that if the accompanist is provided it was better to go with the "live" music. This is the first time that this has happened (anyone want to give some input here ---Live or tape?)
Thanks!</p>
<p>OOps -- sorry Soozievt--I realized I got my people confused (NotMamaRose..love that name!) talked about the CD.</p>
<p>Most places would not give you the option of live or tape... I think NMR was referrring to some off-campus auditions who don't have a pianist, and you must use recorded accompaniment.</p>
<p>Even if you had the choice, I would go with live.</p>
<p>I really think when the live accompanist is provided (as a majority of BFA programs have at on campus auditions), you gotta go with that. When NMR mentioned the CD accompaniment, that is because SOME BFA programs do not provide a live accompanist at Unifieds or off campus audition sites and require a CD accompaniment, as is the case with Ithaca. In your son's case, he had to use the live accompanist. </p>
<p>I understand his frustration with the accompanist. The tips I (and others) passed on may not avoid the problem entirely but are suggestions that may help the next time. And in the real world of auditions, it will be with a live accompanist and not a recording and so it is important to go over the tempo you want with the pianist, mark it well, and also let the pianist follow your lead and don't try to follow the pianist. </p>
<p>It is not as if you choose whether to use a CD or a live accompanist at these college auditions. You have to use the accompanist at the schools that provide one and then a CD at schools or off campus sites that don't provide an accompanist. For my D's 8 BFA auditions, she did them all on campus and did not attend Unifieds. All schools but NYU (though NYU has since changed this effective THIS year) provided a live accompanist. She only used a CD for NYU that year.</p>
<p>EDIT...I cross posted with MusThCC and we basically are saying the same thing.</p>
<p>Thanks for your replies, everyone! I think I'll let my son read them! He is generally a realist --- this was his 3rd Audition and I think it will help him in future auditions . His Music is well marked. I'm not really sure how much time they gave to talk to the accompanist (they still aren't home, yet!) I'll talk to him when he gets home .</p>