<p>BassDad: One of the reasons that the violin world might be different is the size of the auditioning panel. My son had panels of 6 or more at more than half of his auditions. These large panels probably have had to develop the rule that no one gets to talk (otherwise they might all want their say or question and at just one question each, almost half the audition time could be used up with talk).</p>
<p>thelovelybones: My experience has been that colleges are looking for students with potential to develop and grow. You can’t teach taste, musicality, passion, or the ability to communicate with an audience (although you can provide the input and experiences that allow most musicians to gradually acquire them), so auditioners are looking for students that have a good chunk of that stuff in place. Technique can be acquired by almost anyone willing to put in the time.</p>
<p>I agree with stradmom that competitions are unpredictable. A different judge or panel will choose different people. Or the same judge or panel will choose different people on a different day.</p>