New York Association of College MUSIC PROGRAMS (NYACMP)

RESOURCES

  • Schedule your audition early in the audition year/cycle.  Many schools make admission and scholarship decisions on a rolling basis (after each audition day) and those who audition early get first consideration.
  • Perform mock auditions – run through the audition repertoire several times before you actually audition at schools.
  • You are probably auditioning at several schools.  Space the auditions at each school well enough to allow adequate time for travel and rest between auditions.
  • Submit all application and supplementary music materials to the music admission and college admission offices as early as possible in the senior year, but no later than the audition day itself. Observe all deadlines carefully.
  • Arrive at the school the day before the audition if possible in order to get a good night’s rest and be fresh the following day for the audition.
  • Arrive early the day of the audition and warm-up, but be careful to not play too much before the audition.
  • Be 10 to 15 minutes early to the designated audition space.
  • Bring a copy of your resume for the auditioning committee, even if you have already submitted one with your application.
  • Remember that the audition starts the minute you enter the audition room, not when you begin playing the repertoire.
  • Dress appropriately, speak confidently and respectfully, smile and make eye contact with the adjudicators.
  • Don’t worry about little mistakes in the audition.  If mistakes happen, just move on.  It is the big picture that is important, and the audition committee is not expecting a perfect performance; they are measuring potential.
  • Be prepared to play parts of pieces, not always starting from the beginning.  Audition committees will occasionally only ask for sections of pieces.
  • Enjoy the experience as much as possible, and treat the audition like another opportunity to share your art.  This too will come through in the audition.