Preparation For an Orchestra Audition

By Guest Blogger Aleksandr Spiridonov

Auditions can be highly stressful. Just like job interviews they carry with them a sense of awe and responsibility, and just like in an interview the outcome depends largely on how person prepares for it. A million things can go through one’s mind while he or she is playing and the task is to limit the worries outside of the music as much as possible.

The day before the audition:

Go over the main things. It is a good idea to have a run-through the pieces that you’re going to play. It happens rarely though that the panel ask the person auditioning to play through the entire solo piece, so if your solo choice is ten minutes long, it is senseless to go through its entirety, but it is good idea to cover the trouble spots on the first page or so. Practice as though you are before a panel of judges.

What to prepare for the audition:

The following is the list to consider when going to an audition. The items on it may vary depending on the demands of the orchestra hiring, but mostly everything is straight-forward:

- Music in folder and fastened

- Copies of your music for the panel

- Folding music stand

- Pencil and eraser

Make sure your music is in a folder placed in some sort of see-through binder pockets. You don’t want a whiff of air-conditioning taking your music from the stand while you play. The panel certainly won’t find it funny. Alternative is fastening it with tape, but that is not as secure and not as professional.

On the day you go to audition:

If your audition is early in the morning, it’s a good idea to wake up at least three hours before. You will need at least an hour to have some exercise, shower, eat a light breakfast, and get everything ready to go. When all of your things are organized and you are ready to head out for the audition, you may take some time to warm up. Make sure to get to the audition place at least an hour before. You want to be secure about where the room that you need to play in is, and when you should go in. Once you’ve taken care of all those things, you can warm up.

Make sure that when you are looking through the music, you focus just on spots that you find most in need of a review. Now is the time to warm-up, to refresh in your mind and fingers what it is you are about to play. Mindless practicing is rarely of benefit at this or at any other point. This means running through the entire program is not recommended. It is a good idea to start what you will be starting with at the actual audition. You will usually have the pick of the first piece you want to play.

When you enter the audition room, try to be professional in all respects. Greet the panel, give them the music, and introduce yourself. Although it doesn’t necessarily impact how you play, it still gives a good impression of you as a person, not to mention helping you ease yourself a little from the stress. Take your time before you start. This doesn’t mean you should take five minutes of silence, but make sure it is enough time for you to concentrate on what you are about to play. It is your time after that point and you should use it to your advantage.

For an orchestra audition the precision of playing is especially important although musicality is always what sets people apart. In other words there is a certain level of technical mastery you have to make in order to be considered, but if the people listening to you do not hear any expression it is unlikely you will get the spot.

When you are done playing, try to keep your feelings about how you think you played to yourself unless it is a genuine feeling of content. Smile, thank the panel, take your music and copies, and leave. NEVER groan or wince after a performance – a habit as common as it is unwelcome by the judges.

Also, unlike many other job applications, you do not send follow up notes. Don’t try to pressure anyone from the panel about the results. In most auditions of this kind the employer will contact you if you win.

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