| Auditions for High Schoolers
Dear High School and Junior High Players,
Many of you remember that I am the director of the Minnesota Youth Symphonies and am currently in my week of auditions. I know that many of you everywhere are getting ready for fall auditions.
May I share with you a few hints based on observations from the last few days and frankly the last 17 years worth of auditions?
We (audition committees all over the world) know you're nervous, we really do. Do us a favor and smile when you first enter the room. You'll receive a smile in return that sets you at ease and helps make you feel more comfortable. "Good morning, afternoon, evening" works nicely,too. You see, people have different ways of showing their nerves and the most off-putting one is that sick-to-my-stomach look that comes off as unfriendliness, boredom, or surliness. The fact is you aren't feeling any of those things but that's how you come off, right off the bat. This is going to sound stupid to you but do it anyway: practice smiling.
If you don't understand something that is said to you by an adult, do not say "What?". Say "Excuse me?" "Sorry, I didn't catch that." Don't say "What? to an adult. Save it for your peers.
Girls: leave the skirts/pants that are designed to show your navels and the acompanying too-short top at home. Wear something suited to a performing young artist, not Britney Spears. We have no interest in the details more related to a physical exam by your doctor.
If you make a mistake please be of good cheer. We truly are looking at an overall performance, not a nick or chip here and there. You're playing for professional musicians not your peers. We have a completely different agenda and you are in safe territory with us. We don't count mised notes. We're listening for how well-prepared you are regarding the requirements for admission to the program.
If you receive an instruction from the committee, repeat it back silently or quietly to yourself, think about what you have to do differently, and execute. If you don't understand, ask for clarification politely. "I'm sorry... I'm not sure what you want."
Leave your case in the waiting room. Just bring your music, mutes and any forms you have to turn in to the committee. We have a lot of people to hear and all the opening and closing eats up time. With 30 people or more at 10 minutes each, it's easy to get bogged down and we appreciate your help in keeping us moving along. If we ask you how your summer was, we're trying to keep you loose. One sentence in reply is plenty of information. Your grandpa's hernia operation would be fascinating to hear about under slightly different circumstances.
Say "thank you" when you're finished. It's a nice acknowledgement of the time it took to hear you and actually much appreciated.
We are pulling for you. You know, you remind us of us when we were kids and we enjoy hearing you, the new group of kids that want to play music. That's a cool thing for us to hear.
So, the bottom line is:
Be pleasant, prepared, polite, well-dressed, and flexible. We don't care how much money your folks make, where you live, what you look like, or who your teacher is. We care that you are ready to play and someone who loves to do so.
ML |