<p>Hello! I'm a HS senior planning to major in MT and I have my first college audition coming up soon. I feel like I understand the usual setup of how an audition goes, but I really just want to be sure and hear some experiences from others during their college auditions. I've read other posts on here about how audition days went, but I would like more of an insight into the actual audition, i.e. setting tempo, presenting songs, and possible interview questions. Singing my songs is something that I'm scared about honestly....I don't think I've ever set tempo with an accompanist before! So if anyone could offer an insight into the specifics of what happens during a college audition, or a full walkthrough of how their audition went, I would very much appreciate it! </p>
<p>Do you have a vocal coach? She/he should be able to walk you through setting the tempo. Or if you use a live accompanist to film any prescreens she/he should also be able to help.</p>
<p>Interview questions seem to be all over the board. Last year my S was asked questions about a group he was in. Aubrey Berg at CCM asked him “what would you bring to this program” I’ve heard others were asked to tell a joke. Be yourself, I’d say that’s the most important thing.</p>
<p>Know the other plays that the author from your monologues has written…especially if you are applying to Hartt.</p>
<p>Just talked to my S about tempo. He said when you walk up to the accompanist you can set your book on the piano’s music stand and open it to your first song - placed at front of book, 2nd song behind it. As you stand next to the accompanist you just tap the first tempo out on your thigh or chest, then do the same for 2nd song. Accompanist might ask you to hum it as well. If there is a tempo change in the song, indicate that as well. Most accompanists are there to HELP young make you feel comfortable. Have all the songs you sing WELL in your book - they MAY ask you to sing something else. If you don’t sing it well, or think you might forget the lyrics, don’t include it. Good Luck.</p>
<p>Know the play your monologue comes from. D had a number of people ask her about her character overall - what has happened to them, what happens as show goes on etch. </p>
<p>Also, be prepared for the “what other schools are you applying for” question- which sometimes throw kids</p>
<p>How do folks think this question is best answered? Kid is applying to a broad range of schools urban/suburban, big/small, university/conservatory because she believes that each has sufficient appeal that she would be happy there. Kid’s other parent (an academic who interviews applicants at an ivy league school) says the question would be considered completely out of bounds at an interview for a professional degree. It sounds as if it is awfully common for MT applicants. This is a puzzlement.</p>
<p>How often was your child asked? How did your kid respond? What sort of reaction did his response get?</p>
<p>Any particular schools where this is SOP?</p>
<p>My D was asked “other schools question” at CMU, BU, and Syracuse for sure (may have happened at others- but I can’t recall) Her answer was very truthful - she listed her primary schools (didn’t go through all the BA “safeties”, though she did generally mention Northwestern) and said that she had done lots of research to find schools where she felt training and environment were a “fit” for her, but because they are all so selective, (many take under 20) it seemed wise to give herself a variety of chances. Especially as she knew that they are often “casting” a group, so not every school needs the same type at the same time. I remember CMU said any school would be lucky to have her (they are so nice to all the kids) and Syracuse complimented her on the strategy. Boston was kind of snippy- but to be honest, her auditor (Paulo, who I believe has left the program) was snippy all the way through. He questioned D about her monologue choices - and really grilled her on what happened in the plays overall (fortunately she had done her homework). </p>
<p>Well, lots of things that are out of bounds in the rest of the world are common in theater, or in any field where you are utterly dispensable, sadly. And yes, several schools ask this question, and I believe it is Ithaca that even asks you to rank them. What you CAN’T say, even though you may think it, is “None of your _____ business!” So think about why they are asking, even though they KNOW it makes the kids squirm. One reason MIGHT be purely to see how they answer a stress question. Another might be to see how delusional/prepared the kid is. Another might be (and I think this is the most likely) to see who else might be trying to recruit this kid. I mean, if I were a school and I had before me a super talented boy, and I saw that he was applying to a whole bunch of higher-tiered schools that will surely snag him, I would do one of 2 things: either not accept him (cuz he’s just not gonna come and it will hurt my yield which some schools really care about) or give him a huge scholarship to try to steal him. Apparently U Mich also wants to make sure you are into academia, so don’t tell them you are applying to BoCo…
But this gets discussed every year and it is always agonizing.</p>