| Author |
Subject |
CKCello
Registered User
(11/2/00 9:49:12 am)
Reply |
Auditions
What do you all do to make it
through the scarey school auditions. I am currently at a University
that I am not happy with and I am going to audition this winter at 3
schools (2 of which are conservatories) and I haven't really ever
auditioned live anywhere (usually it is a taped audition) Can you
all give me some pointers?
THanks!
Christine
|
Laura
Wichers
Registered
User
(11/2/00 11:29:56 am)
Reply |
Re:
Auditions
First of all, keep in mind that the
audition committee knows you are nervous. If you make a few
mistakes, all is not lost!
I'd say the best things to do
would be practice, practice, practice. Lots of sloooow, very
accurate practice. That way when you do get in the audition room,
your playing will be much more confident, and that confidence will
come across to the audition committee.
Get plenty of sleep
the night before. Make sure all your stuff is ready to go at least a
day in advance so you can relax during the drive/flight/whatever to
the school.
And while I know it's easier said than done, try
to stay relaxed. At this point, the audition committee probably is
more interested in seeing what you have accomplished thus far on the
cello and assessing your potential for future
greatness.
-Laura
|
George
Registered User
(11/4/00 4:38:37 pm)
Reply |
re
i think that a school audition is
probably one of the fairest types of auditions there is. Playing
nervous vs. playing completely relaxed in a conservatory audition
would yield almost exactly the same results. You have the same
fundamental cello playing ability both ways, and good teachers can
asses correctly how good you are even if you're nervous.
What schools are you auditioning for?
|
Corrina
Connor
Registered
User
(11/4/00 9:00:46 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Auditions
My teacher told me:
ENJOY
playing, and then the panel will enjoy it too!
ALL panels
understand nerves (after all, most panel members have had been
auditionees at some stage in their life.
ALL panels will
appreciate your preperation.
ALL panels will understand if
your performance is less than of a professional recital
standard.
As Laura says, you have to have the preperation
behind you, but on the day, the most important thing is the attitude
you display towards your playing, your instrument, the panel and
yourself.
If you walk into the room confidently, smile
politely at the panel, answer any questions thoughtfully (it doesn't
matter if it takes a while to formulate a good answer - better that
than sounding like an idiot!) and play your best. OK, there might be
a couple of 'duff' notes, maybe your bow might shake a little bit in
the beginning, but once these initial tremours are out of the way
you can really get focussed on what your doing.
Another
important thing is not to let a suprising mistake get you down. Keep
on as if nothing had happened! The panel WILL understand that things
might not be 'perfect' and would much rather see that a person can
deal with their mistakes and keep going. This is (apparently) one of
the most important parts of performance, and as Laura says, they're
looking to see what background you've had, and what potential you
have rather, than being a boring pyrotechnical automoten!
As
a person who has sucessfully done the University Audition Thing, I
feel qualified to give you this advice 
Still, you don't need to heed it.
PS!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 If
they don't hear the whole piece, don't be downhearted - it is not to
do with your playing, more likely the time pressure that the panel
is under! 
|
moonlily
Registered User
(11/5/00 7:04:55 am)
Reply |
Don't
Worry!!
Eye contact is very important when
you are talking.
Be bold. Do what ever you like to do
because the time is in your hand.
one thing you shouldn't
miss... Show your eager of playing cello.
The professors are
HUMAN. They are exactly feeling and thinking same as you are. If
you're nervous, you're making them nervous.
Playing is energy
game. When you're playing, breathe in all the good energies in the
room. Use them for cello.
|
Andrea
Registered User
(11/16/00 3:16:58 pm)
Reply |
Play
like chocolat
I'm about to start the audition
thing.
When I get nervous I just like to walk in and and
remind myself I own the place. The time is mine and the music is
mine.
I think it was Rubenstein who liked to have
psycological control over the audience. He'd go on stage and sit
calmly with his hands on the piano and count to a hundred.
Meaanwhile the audience got nervous and worried, then all of a
sudden there would come the first note.
Just remember that
nerves are a physical thing. It's oly your heart beating faster and
your breathing getting quicker, remind your self that and calmly
think: all you have to do is slow down your heart. Also, think BIG.
Nerves seem to make people close up, they play small and have little
movements. Make BIG free movements and get the blood
moving.
And feel in control. I like to think of every note
like chocolat and that I'm coming along and sitting comfortably on
each sound.
Andrea
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Laura
Wichers
Registered
User
(11/16/00 3:48:55 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Rubenstein & mind control
I remember hearing about
Rubenstein's mind control thing and wanting to try it for myself.
I'm supposed to play in studio class on Monday, so I think I'll try
it out then. There's no fun like messing with other people's
heads!
-Laura
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