Audition Tips

The following tips are from "Audition Do's and Don't's for Junior and Senior High School Trumpeters"
by Charles Decker, Trumpet Professor, Tennessee Technological University.

They are so similar to what I reopeatedly tell my students, that I thought it important for them,
and others to have access to these tips for preparing for a successful audition, whatever the occasion.

Preparing for the Audition

Do

  • Be well prepared so you will be less nervous.

  • Practice audition materials using a metronome and tuner.

  • Play the entire audition, including a sight reading example, for as many people as possible to get experience in pacing yourself under pressure.

  • Spend as much time practicing sight reading as you do working on required scales and prepared music.

  • Get coaching on the audition materials.

  • Know key signatures and rhythmic syllables.

 

At the Audition

Do

  • "Dress up" to show you care about your performance.

  • Be early to your audition room.

  • Be friendly, confident, and speak up clearly if asked questions.

Preparing for the Audition

Do

  • Be well prepared so you will be less nervous.

  • Practice audition materials using a metronome and tuner.

  • Play the entire audition, including a sight reading example, for as many people as possible to get experience in pacing yourself under pressure.

  • Spend as much time practicing sight reading as you do working on required scales and prepared music.

  • Get coaching on the audition materials.

  • Know key signatures and rhythmic syllables.

Sight Reading

Do

  • Know the translations of basic Italian terms, i.e., andante, con moto, dolce, etc.

  • Look ahead in the music, especially during rests and long notes, to anticipate challenges.

  • Play confidently, even when you make errors (and everyone makes errors when sight reading).

  • Develop this systematic approach to improving sight reading; with practice, it can be done within the 30 seconds you have to review the music.

  • 1.Check the four directions in the first measure.
      a. key signature
      b. time signature
      c. dynamic level
      d. tempo and style (allegro, cantabile, etc.)
    2. Scan for repetitious rhythmic patterns and exceptions to them.
    3. Scan for accidentals (sharps and flats) not in the key signature.
    4. Scan for changes in musical style, dynamics, or tempo.
    5. Scan for scale fragments and chord patterns.

Don't

  • Go faster than you can play the example as accurately as possible.

  • Ignore dynamics and tempo indications; they are as important as the notes.

  • Attempt to practice fingering the entire sight reading example since it is usually longer than the 30 seconds given to review the music; thus, the later part of the music will be a complete surprise.

  • Stop playing in the middle of the example or ask to start again; as best you can, complete the sight reading music.