Piano Audition THIS Friday!

College Majors Music Major
1

Hello, folks!

I’ve just joined this site, though I have peaked around at it before. This Friday (in 3 short days! eek!) I will be auditioning for a piano minor. (I’m already attending the school, so this is my only choice of college.)

I’ll start off with the more basic question: What should I wear?! I’ve been reading around on here, and I see that a popular choice is knee-length, 3/4 sleeve, somewhat-business-y dress, or black slacks and a nice white or black top. I’ve seen the words “business casual” thrown around on here…is that accurate? I own a taupe pencil skirt that goes about an inch above the knee–would that be appropriate, or is black necessary? I also have a red blouse that pairs well with the skirt, but it’s short sleeve, and while it’s nice, I’m not sure if it would be appropriate–mainly because it’s bright red.
Pretty much all of my other dresses have some sort of lace-like knit, either on the top of the dress or the entire dress itself, so I’m assuming that would be out.
Are sleeves a must-have? They seem like a practical idea in any case, as it wouldn’t be good to be cold for an audition! Also, I don’t own any black slacks.

Would something like this dress from Nordstrom be acceptable? http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vince-camuto-side-ruched-jersey-body-con-dress/4031947?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=COBALT&resultback=447
The audition will take place in a studio and not a recital hall, if that makes any difference.

Next, I’m really starting to FREAK OUT! To the point of almost giving up yesterday. If I don’t pass this audition, though, is it possible for me to go back in December and still have a shot at getting in, or do they rarely consider people for admission once they’ve already been rejected once? I’m so scared I’ll completely blank on my pieces (I feel sooo pressured!). Even worse, what if I mess up on the scales and arpeggios?! That is something so basic–if I mess that up, it would be an automatic fail, wouldn’t it? Yikes!

Okay, breathe.

I had been planning to just go for the non-auditioned minor, but after realizing that you miss out on all the best music classes (applied piano, theory/aural skills, etc.) and emailing with an instructor there, we (the instructor and I) made a very spur-of-the-moment decision that I should go ahead and try for the auditioned minor–with two weeks notice! I’m scrambling to get myself musically and mentally prepared, but I’m worried that I’m playing it far too safe with my pieces. I’m playing Grieg’s Notturno Op. 54 No. 4 as my main piece–this was approved by the instructor I’ve been emailing with. I was asked to also select a different piece to show contrasting skills. Until a discouraging practice session yesterday, I had planned to play the first movement of Beethoven’s Sonata Op. 49, No 2. However, I’m almost certain that I will mess it up horribly. So I have to add another selection. I was thinking Bach would make a nice contrast to Grieg; however, I’m realizing just how lousy my repertoire list is! I know several small selections from Bach and other Baroque composers, but nothing of any substantial length. For example, I was thinking about playing the gavotte from Bach’s French Suite No. 6 in E major; here’s the problem–I’ve only prepared the gavotte, so that’s a 1-minute performance! Don’t they want to see something more substantial? The entire audition is 15 minutes–so we’ve got the 5-minute Grieg selection, then 1 minute for Bach? Then what? Should I bring another Bach selection? Should I shoot for the sonata anyway? (The school is pretty relaxed about what I play, since I’m auditioning as a minor…they’re not asking me to follow the strict guidelines.)

Okay, that went on much longer than I had planned! Thanks in advance for any help you can offer–especially on this short notice!

2

First, relax!!

Working yourself up with minor worries such as attire and the sudden decision to do this audition at all is probably messing up your playing. The decision to audition has been made and the audition time scheduled. Now, just sit back for a minute and calmly ask yourself what you would be most comfortable playing. The Grieg sounds solid. Let that be a point of calm for you - you will probably be allowed to start with the Grieg. As for the contrasting selection, go with what ever sounds best and is most comfortable for you. Your choice of contrasting work is going to be dictated by the limited time available to you after making a rather unexpected decision to audition. Don’t worry about it - the repertoire is what it is and just show them the best you’ve got in the circumstances.

As for clothes, wear something you are comfortable in. If you know what the temperature in the room may be - too much air conditioning or perhaps hot and un-airconditioned, take that into account, but other than that don’t over think. Clean, neat, pants or modest skirt or dress. Neat hair. clean short nails, etc. Shoes that work with pedals and didn’t just come off the playing field or on the other extreme, the dance floor. There are multiple acceptable clothing options, mostly just think of showing that you respect the situation in what you choose to wear - no athletic, beach lounging or otherwise totally inappropriate clothes and you will look fine.

It’s impossible to guess the standard required at the unmentioned (appropriately unmentioned) school where you are auditioning. Don’t focus on the what if’s, prepare the most comfortable repertoire the best you can in the given circumstances. It’s quite a cliche, but you really can only control yourself and your preparation, and it doesn’t do much good to worry about other’s (in this case the audition panel’s) reactions. If you’ve done your best in the circumstances, you can’t ask more of yourself. Good luck!!

3

I think wearing something clean and neat will do you well, and what you wear is more about you than them (no, I am not saying wear a ratty tshirt and jeans lol). A black skirt and white blouse would work, but pretty much anything that would be appropriate in a semi formal situation would be fine. I wouldn’t go in dressing like Yuja Wang (playing like her, of course!), mom of adult is right…and within those parameters, what makes you feel comfortable, if dressing in a suit, for example, made you feel more comfortable, do that, if wearing a dress or pants and a nice top works, do that, again it is about going in and focusing on the playing. Based on my experiences with my S auditioning, and from what I hear, there may be some types out there who expect you to come in in a gown or tie and tails or whatnot, but to be honest as long as you come in looking halfway decent, I suspect you only really have to worry about the audition and playing well.

4

Treat this like a job interview, not a recital and make sure you are comfortable in what you are wearing. Then forget about it. If the clothes are too tight or the heels wrong for the piano it will just distract you and the panel from your playing. Good luck!

5

Thank you so much for your kind advice, everyone! The music has been selected, the outfit has been chosen, and I feel surprisingly relaxed–hopefully it stays that way!

You all really helped me feel more comfortable with the audition process, so thanks again!

6

That’s wonderful @JeJousDuPiano. Just remember everyone wants you to do well and enjoy the audition.

7

So the audition didn’t go as well as I’d hoped… My first piece (the Grieg) went fairly well–one or two minor hiccups, but nothing that I wasn’t able to brush right over and keep playing through. But the second one, the Bach, I had a false start–my hands were cramping up because I’d spent way to much time practicing that morning (I need to learn to find a better balance between preparing and wearing myself out…). So that just shook me a lot and I had quite a few problems with that piece, even though it’s technically the simplest one I played. The Beethoven sonata went even worse, although since we were running low on time, they didn’t have me play it in its entirety–only about two minutes worth. Next was the sight-reading, which went surprisingly well, actually. I mean, I didn’t do great, but the music was pretty simple, and I was able to play through it better than I’d imagined. I was so nervous (and physically exhausted–I woke up at 4:45 that morning and got to the school at 8:30 and spent the entire time practicing until my 10:45 audition). They had me play scales and arpeggios in E major–and I messed it up! I mean, I had the key right and everything (throw me out the door and never let me touch an instrument again if I don’t know my keys haha), but the playing part–physically, it didn’t work out well (probably didn’t help that I’d already imagined the worst case scenario happening…).

So I feel like I blew it big time, and there’s really no way I’m going to be accepted. The only sliver of hope I see is that after my disastrous playing, they did ask me some questions about how, logistically, my adding the minor would work out since I’m technically a senior. They were pleased that I’m planning to take two more years to finish (graduating in spring '17), and that I would thus plan to do all 4 semesters of applied piano. Do you think that the fact that they took the time to ask me these questions indicates that there’s a chance they might still let me in, or do they have to ask them to anyone, regardless of whether they intend to accept or reject them?

8

I’m sorry things didn’t go as well as you’d hoped and worked for, JeJou. I don’t think anyone can predict the panel’s decision; every place is different and instructors have different levels and styles of interacting with auditioners. Conversation or questions can be meaningless or answers can be important to the instructors - impossible to tell which in most cases.

I’m sure you are disappointed with your audition, but you tried your hardest in the circumstances. You also aren’t alone. I could tell you many stories of symphony professionals that I know who have had auditions they were disappointed in - from days when the playing was less than typical all the way to disasterous! Likewise with conservatory students and graduates who are well seasoned auditioners - sometimes things just go wrong and it isn’t always predictable when this will happen. We are humans after all, not performing robots!

Best wishes moving forward on your piano - whatever the official result.

9

A friend’s wife has written a memoir and history of stage fright. It’s amazingly common, and not something to be ashamed about. You might find the book of interest. http://www.npr.org/2015/07/05/419485599/in-playing-scared-pianist-grows-less-frightened-of-stage-fright

10

A friend’s wife has written a memoir and history of stage fright. It’s amazingly common, and not something to be ashamed about. You might find the book of interest. http://www.npr.org/2015/07/05/419485599/in-playing-scared-pianist-grows-less-frightened-of-stage-fright

11

Well, the results are in… and so am I!!! I cannot express how absolutely thrilled and shocked and grateful I am!!! This was truly something I wanted, but had almost completely counted myself out. Maybe I didn’t do quite as poorly as I thought? Perhaps the first piece was enough to show them some potential? Maybe a combination of the two? Either way, I’m officially a music minor!!! :smiley:

12

Congratulations!

13

How wonderful! That is really great news. I hope you enjoy your studies!

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Congratulations!