<p>Hi everybody! I need your help, my friend from Australia is flying all the way to Baltimore for an interview for a Masters in Music audition. I really want to help her do well so I wondered if anybody out there has any experience of the audition days: the tests, interview etc. I (and I'm sure she) would really appreciate any advice you guys (parents, previous applicants, current students etc) might have.</p>
<p>Thanks again everyone!</p>
<p>Every program’s audition will be different. Is this for Peabody? At this point I don’t think there’s much she can do to prepare. If she doesn’t already know music history, theory and what she wants to do with her music, and is already doing with her music - there’s not much she could do to catch up. But I doubt that’s the case! Good luck to her.</p>
<p>First, it would help to have a little more information. Is there an instrumental audition involved? Are the exams for placement purposes or are they important in the admissions process? Some schools have very relaxed interviews, others (at the extreme end of the spectrum) might grill a little with questions on music history or favorite composers, that kind of thing.</p>
<p>I would vote for a relaxed attitude, honestly. I think the most important thing is to have a strong sense of what you want to do as a composer, and how the program can help you achieve those goals. Often composer applicants will be asked about aesthetic style, composing process, how he or she likes to work with a teacher and so on. Some master’s programs are heavy on theory and history and have prescribed requirements, and others are freer and let the student explore while also ensuring rigor in other ways.</p>
<p>Overall, I hope your friend can just be herself. Being herself both personally and musically is the best possible thing. So a good night’s sleep, a good breakfast, and some excitement about writing music are probably the best preparation!</p>
<p>p.s. Checking school websites can be really helpful in finding out what to expect. Also, it is fine to call admissions with questions.</p>
<p>If it’s Peabody, I can ask my son, who interviewed there last year.</p>
<p>My son says that at Peabody prospective MM composition students had to take an ear training test and a theory test. There was an optional part of the theory test for those who wanted to apply for an assistantship in theory. He thinks there may have also been an optional music history test, but he isn’t sure. There was also an interview with the composition faculty–all at the same time–which he said was friendly in tone. He said the difficulty of the tests was pretty standard, but not easy.</p>
<p>Hi Spiritmanager thank you so much for the response. She is indeed auditioning for Peabody. Can’t believe I missed that out! I think your advice sounds spot on. Thanks again for taking the time to write.</p>
<p>Compmom, also really helpful. No instruments involved. Peabody is as Hunt has said: ear training, theory, plus faculty interview. I’ve just been talking to her about knowing what she wants from her music and I think your suggestions are exactly what she needs to hear. As for sleep, the flight over is 32 hours so hopefully the jet lag wears off! Thanks again.</p>
<p>Hunt thank you so much for taking the trouble to talk to your son. I really appreciate it. That sounds like the Peabody process she described but it is reassuring to hear that the interviews aren’t too bad. If your son, or you, had any more experience to share from the interview process overall it would be really welcome. Thanks again everyone! </p>
<p>Just want to add that the most important thing is the music itself. That can help a person relax in the interview and test situations. The music has already been submitted…</p>