<p>I think musicprnt was clear about what she meant by concert attire, and that didn’t include tux or gown, so I think the last few posters are in basic agreement about the clothes, if not the terms for describing them. Last year, during audition season, it did seem to be a little different for vocal performance majors (definitely more glittery, formal). My own daughter never wore a dress to any of her violin performance auditions, or heels for that matter. She opted for black dress slacks and blouse (not showy or shiny). Whether that was perceived as a negative, I have no idea, but it certainly didn’t impact her results… The range of outfits for the gals seemed to fall in the range musicprnt indicated; for the guys, while some suits were in evidence, I also saw a fair number of folks with slacks and nice button-down shirts (with and without ties). So…no big deal, really. Like previous posters said, since you want the judges focused on your music and not your outfit, your attire should probably not draw attention away from your performance, either by being over-the-top formal or too casual. </p>
<p>I will consider this question put to rest, then. Thanks all! ;
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musicprnt is a music pop! :)</p>
<p>Oy. Whoops. As someone often assumed to be a mom on notice boards even when I use my actual name, my sincere apologies, musicprnt!</p>
<p>I thought you would appreciate that, StringPop! :D</p>
<p>@stringpop no problem…Ican’t tell with screen names who is what (which is a good thing, since everyone’s thoughts are the same). BTW, when I spoke of concert attire, it reflects what I have seen with pre college and college level instrumental performances, not for example what the NY Phil wears:). In the end, it is the talent that will matter, but it could be some people on panels want to see a kid who seems put together and such…it isn’t a big deal, my S wore a black pair of pants, black shoes and a black shirt with a tie, and it worked fine:)</p>
<p>My D has worn the same dress for each of her 4 auditions (classical voice) & it will need to hold up for 2 more - it is her “lucky dress” by now & she feels very comfortable with her outfit. But it seems to pretty much conform with the code discussed so far. It is sleeveless (but she is quite tiny) & knit with stripes of black & dark blue. Black hose, black pumps with a cute strap. I have seen many girls in taffeta too - this is too much of a “young” look in my opinion.</p>
<p>As a parent that has traveled to auditions from NYC to LA and many schools in between, I hope my comments help future students put their best foot forward. Each school, albeit a conservatory or large public institution, has an energy and vibe to the music program. Some pride themselves on a laid back approach to music, some are overtly buttoned-up and serious. Your best bet is to do your research first. Watch a performance on YouTube. What are the ensembles wearing? Are THEY casual? If so, dress in commensurate form. Typical big band/large ensemble performances require a jacket, gentlemen. Perhaps you don’t do that in your high school band, but dress like you’ve “been there”. I have yet to attend the Blue Note or the Village Vanguard with jazz icons wearing all black and a purple tie. In other words, what are the pros wearing? Sorry to the khaki-lovers, and worse yet, the jean-lovers, but this is your one shot to look like you are a serious candidate. If you walk into your audition and your adjudicator/professor is wearing a jacket or dress, and you’re not…hmmm. This is all about proving and convincing a school that you want to be your BEST! Consequently, your first impression is paramount. Did you look your best? Did you care?</p>
<p>I don’t think you can go wrong with all blacks and a snazzy tie for any audition.</p>
<p>Took my son shopping for an audition/senior picture/ graduation outfit. All he owned previously was Tee-shirts & blue jeans or his all black performance clothes. He wanted something professional but not too formal. We walked into Banana Republic on one of their sale days and just asked them to hook him up! It turned out great- a pair of dress pants, a button up with a slight pattern, a cool solid textured tie & a V-neck sweater to throw on top. The salesman there said that the most important item was a really great looking pair of shoes!</p>
<p>What we weren’t counting on is seeing so many of the same people at many of the auditions! It is SUCH a small world! Hopefully they don’t notice that he wears the same clothes at every audition :"> it was a little awkward when he auditioned at CCM and then 2 days later @ CIM with the same clothes!</p>
<p>@MWstringmom - you’re definitely not alone. it was hard enough to put together one outfit, let alone one for each audition! We’re hitting the dry cleaners this weekend with D’s lucky dress.</p>
<p>My S had the same outfit on for all his auditions that he had on his pre-screenings–all black with a colorful tie. Luckily he has several pairs of black pants and several black shirts, but to the judges (and fellow auditioners) it will all look the same!</p>
<p>My daughter bought her own audition dress, it’s a rusty red color and has some beading at the neckline - it’s a sheath dress, no sleeves (but she’s tiny). I had one that I preferred more than this one, but her hair is rusty red, her hose are reddish brown, she wears black shoes, so when she wears this dress, your eyes go right to her face, because she is, in classic Irish style, extremely white. </p>
<p>DD has her red sheath knee length dress with sleeves and a black one that is almost identical for auditions. she has been wearing the red one and is quite comfortable in it. (She has learned the joys of dress shields) She is auditioning for VP. But I gag when we go to auditions and see young women in party dresses, club dresses, street walked dresses. with slits, with cutouts, with boobage showing in high high high heels, with fishnets, with seamed stockings, with their moms sitting next to them acting very proud. I know talent and ability stands on its’ own but come on. And these sitings are at “better” schools and conservatories.
However for a change on Friday she auditioned at a state school to remain un-named and of the entire audition group of maybe 45, vocal and instrumental and composition she was the only female not in jeans or leggings (or shorts) and only one young man had a jacket and tie on. It looked…like someplace I don’t want to send her.</p>
<p>It looks like you hit the perfect sweet spot. Still aghast at cutouts, fishnets and “boobage” At least that’s one issue that I know my son won’t have. :)) </p>
<p>@vivasolar-</p>
<p>Hmm, that sounds more like contemporary music auditions (ie I wanna be a pop tart) than classical <em>lol</em>…on the other hand, at least for voice, how many female opera roles are about women with less than stellar morals? <em>smile</em></p>
<p>@saintfan-
The only issue your son might have is if he was auditioning at the same time and had to witness such manner of dress:). One audition my S was at, there was a girl auditioning who was wearing a dress and heels that left little to the imagination…he told me he figured she was a piano student,and later saw she in fact was, they all seem to want to dress like Yuja Wang <em>lol</em></p>
<p>My daughter also wore a red dress to every audition. Bright red and sleeveless with a black cardigan over, sheer hose and her Laducas that she got for her birthday.</p>
<p>I think vocalists dress differently from instrumentalists. My daughter just wears black pants (nice ones, like you would wear in orchestra) and a black top (again, a nice one.) And heels, probably against advice, because she’s not very tall.</p>
<p>Yep - We started with classical VP, swung through classical instrumentalists, arrived at jazz instrumentalists which was my particular concern, and have now rounded back out at classical vocalists again. I got my answer in the middle there, so feel free to carry on as desired from here. :P</p>