Preparing For an All-State Audition
by CEP member Chris Lee, clee@mozart.music.sc.edu

Here's the scenario: My band director says I play very well and should audition for All-State band. I've never auditioned before. I receive the music two weeks before the audition, run through it a few times and drive to the audition. When I arrive at the audition, I check in and go to the warm-up room. This is a nightmare - 25 drummers playing rudiments fast and loud! I consider getting into my car and heading home, but decide to stay and take the audition. I flub through the quarter note sight reading, miss the rudiments and forget the definition of diminuendo. Needless to say, I do not make the band. Better luck next year.

Many of you may have had a similar experience. The purpose of this article is to lay a few ground rules, give a few tips and generally help you get prepared.

Some Helpful Hints

Be polite, courteous, dress appropriately and be yourself. Have a good, solid warm-up routine. Use it everyday and make sure it contains low dynamic playing to help you listen. Then run through a few prescribed excerpts at the indicated dynamics and tempi. Read the instructions. Play for an audience before your audition, it really helps. Pace everything. Do not rush from piece to piece. Appear calm, pleasant and in control. Don't show up too early. One hour is usually enough time to set up, warm-up and take care of any other business.

Everyone responds differently to an audition, however many suffer from extreme nervousness. Nerves are energy. Practicing the required literature repeatedly at the prescribed tempo, with correct dynamics and the proper musical style, will help to harness this energy. Once you gain control over your nervousness, you will be artistically and musically self-assured. On this foundation, your "nervous energy" can be channeled into musical excitement, sharply focused technique and extremes in dynamics. The production and projection of the music driven by your personal energy will be the focus of all your concentration. Good luck!

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