Is it a good thing to do, to ask for a sample lesson with a faculty while we are at a college live audition? The purpose is to find out if the professor chosen is compatible with the student. It’s too costly to make two trips, one for sample lesson and one for live audition. Thanks for your help.
It is always wise IMO to try and do a sample lesson with a prospective teacher, it is really the only way to see if there is a fit or a match. It can be difficult doing it at the time of the live audition, given that the faculty member is sitting in on the auditions going on, especially if you are trying to do it the same day as the kid’s audition. I would recommend strongly that the minute you find out the audition date, you ping the teacher(s) you would be interested in having the sample lesson with, because others may well be doing that. If you pretty much know the audition date already, if for example they only are going to do the instrument on one date, then I would try and go ahead and try to book something (though the schedule for that day may not be set, so it may be simply getting a confirm that once the schedule is set, they’ll try to arrange a time). It also may not hurt to e-mail the teacher and see if they are willing to do sample lessons on the audition days, some teachers may be so tied down those days they may not have time.
It can be difficult during audition weekend. My post is similar to the above.
It’s best to do the ideal - have a sample lesson prior to audition weekend - but if that’s not possible consider having your child contact a teacher that he/she has a sincere interest in by email onc he/she knows the date. Have your kid honestly explain they cannot afford to come to the school twice. Acknowledge the teacher may not have time and she/he understands that. Explain you have an interest in the teacher and would like them to know that. Ask them to contact you if they would have any time available during audition weekend.
Keep it short and sweet and do not require a response. The teacher will respond or not. Don’t read too much into no response. Don’t have your kid sell him/herself. You can attach a music resume as reference. At least a teacher will be on notice of your interest.
Then just show up and do a good audition with a lesson or not. You can do a lesson after acceptance if possible.