4 answers
Catherine
Student
Kansas City, Missouri
1
Question
Asked
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What is the best way to go about college music auditions ?
I'm a rising senior and have played viola since 6th grade. I want to go into music education, likely becoming an orchestra teacher in the future, but am unsure of how auditions work for music education programs.
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4 answers
Kyle Koehs
Instructional Designer
7
Answers
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Updated
Kyle’s Answer
Hi Catherine! Congratulations on moving in to your senior year - very exciting stuff!
I'm a former music educator, so my answer below is based on my experience both as a student preparing for auditions and as someone who tried to help students place into programs.
- Someone suggested above researching the schools that you may want to attend. This isn't a bad idea because many schools have a preferred repertoire list that you'd need to have prepared a piece from. There will certainly be standards across most of the lists, but in my experience they all tend to have you prepare a little differently. Important note: some schools will have different expectations for performance majors, but many will not!
- Speaking of preparation - know your fundamentals! Be rock solid at your scales - at least major and minor (including harmonic and melodic), be able to play them at different tempos, with arpeggiation, etc.
- If you have the opportunity to practice Music Theory as well, take it - many auditions will also have written and listening portions.
- Re: both fundamentals AND prepared repertoire - do you have a private lesson instructor? If you're serious about getting into a music program, it might be worth looking in to one for this year. Even the strongest player can get better, and having someone who specializes in your instrument available to listen and provide feedback is invaluable while you're preparing for this sort of challenge.
- Beyond the audition research, when you're looking in to schools spend some time asking about their Music Education program - all of them are a little different! A few things I would want to know if I was able to vet schools again:
- How many general education classes will you be expected to take? Psychology? Etc.
- Are you able to focus on just secondary Education (where most Orchestra programs are, these days) or will you be expected to get a K-12 degree? If K-12, what does the Elementary Edu requirement look like?
- What are the requirements for methods courses (do you need to learn wind instruments? voice pedagogy? Piano?)?
- Are your courses taught by people who have been in classrooms outside of the college level (trust me - it makes a difference!)?
- What is the school's expectation for student teaching - one semester? two? Are you allowed to work during that?
- What's the average length of time a student spends in their Music Edu program? Is it a 4 year program? 5? If it's 5...do you have scholarships that stretch that far (some are only 4 years!)
- The most important advice - don't let it stop the music from being fun. I'm sure you make music for 1000s of personal reasons and if you're considering Music Ed, you must love it....don't let the work and the practice put out that spark, or it's not worth it.
Good luck!
I'm a former music educator, so my answer below is based on my experience both as a student preparing for auditions and as someone who tried to help students place into programs.
- Someone suggested above researching the schools that you may want to attend. This isn't a bad idea because many schools have a preferred repertoire list that you'd need to have prepared a piece from. There will certainly be standards across most of the lists, but in my experience they all tend to have you prepare a little differently. Important note: some schools will have different expectations for performance majors, but many will not!
- Speaking of preparation - know your fundamentals! Be rock solid at your scales - at least major and minor (including harmonic and melodic), be able to play them at different tempos, with arpeggiation, etc.
- If you have the opportunity to practice Music Theory as well, take it - many auditions will also have written and listening portions.
- Re: both fundamentals AND prepared repertoire - do you have a private lesson instructor? If you're serious about getting into a music program, it might be worth looking in to one for this year. Even the strongest player can get better, and having someone who specializes in your instrument available to listen and provide feedback is invaluable while you're preparing for this sort of challenge.
- Beyond the audition research, when you're looking in to schools spend some time asking about their Music Education program - all of them are a little different! A few things I would want to know if I was able to vet schools again:
- How many general education classes will you be expected to take? Psychology? Etc.
- Are you able to focus on just secondary Education (where most Orchestra programs are, these days) or will you be expected to get a K-12 degree? If K-12, what does the Elementary Edu requirement look like?
- What are the requirements for methods courses (do you need to learn wind instruments? voice pedagogy? Piano?)?
- Are your courses taught by people who have been in classrooms outside of the college level (trust me - it makes a difference!)?
- What is the school's expectation for student teaching - one semester? two? Are you allowed to work during that?
- What's the average length of time a student spends in their Music Edu program? Is it a 4 year program? 5? If it's 5...do you have scholarships that stretch that far (some are only 4 years!)
- The most important advice - don't let it stop the music from being fun. I'm sure you make music for 1000s of personal reasons and if you're considering Music Ed, you must love it....don't let the work and the practice put out that spark, or it's not worth it.
Good luck!
Jared Oluwa
Music Producer For Sync Licensing
10
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Jared’s Answer
It may be a great idea to speak with the faculty at your current school. They have programs that they’re connected to and the Resource Center can suggest different colleges to look into based on your interests.
So thinking about are you going to look out of state or in-state, Scholarships/Grants and etc.
Researching the schools that meet your desires is also a good way to narrow that down. Knowing who the Music Conductors are and so forth.
So thinking about are you going to look out of state or in-state, Scholarships/Grants and etc.
Researching the schools that meet your desires is also a good way to narrow that down. Knowing who the Music Conductors are and so forth.
Nancy Del Castillo
MSW intern
6
Answers
Indio, California
Updated
Nancy’s Answer
The methods to use is to write down short and long term goals in becoming a music orchestra teacher. Acknowledge your strengths and locate resources in your community to become a orchestra teacher.
Then try to do some research in this position.
Make a yearly plan on ways to reach your goals.
Then set monthly to yearly goals to reach your ultimate goal of becoming a orchestra teacher.
Nancy recommends the following next steps:
Hey Nancy, I totally agree; goal setting is super important. Do you have any insight on the music program auditions?
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
Sabrina Lang
Educator
1
Answer
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Sabrina’s Answer
Hello Catherine!
The first step on your exciting journey is to determine your preferred destination. This choice can be influenced by various factors:
Are you interested in staying local or venturing out of state?
Do you have a passion for traditional music education, or are you intrigued by the exploration of contemporary music?
Is the prospect of performing a significant aspect of your studies?
What scholarship opportunities are available?
After you've compiled your list, it's time to gear up for auditions. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the requirements of each school to ensure that your repertoire aligns with them. If possible, consider taking some lessons to get you ready for your auditions.
Here's wishing you all the best on your musical journey! Remember, every note you play is a step towards your dream.
The first step on your exciting journey is to determine your preferred destination. This choice can be influenced by various factors:
Are you interested in staying local or venturing out of state?
Do you have a passion for traditional music education, or are you intrigued by the exploration of contemporary music?
Is the prospect of performing a significant aspect of your studies?
What scholarship opportunities are available?
After you've compiled your list, it's time to gear up for auditions. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the requirements of each school to ensure that your repertoire aligns with them. If possible, consider taking some lessons to get you ready for your auditions.
Here's wishing you all the best on your musical journey! Remember, every note you play is a step towards your dream.