Preparing for an audition can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you are preparing for a chair audition, a competition, or a collegiate audition, these tips will help you perform your best.

Planning 

Planning for your audition comes down to three factors. 

1. Time before the audition

2. Practice time each week

3. Difficulty of audition material

Effective audition preparation depends significantly on the amount of time available prior to the audition date. A thoughtful allocation of practice time, tailored to the preparation window, allows for both technical refinement and artistic development. The following framework outlines recommended approaches for varying timelines.

I spent a lot of time in the halls of the Eastman School of Music — practicing, performing and most of all, worrying. Is my playing good enough? Do I have the talent to back up being here? Will I get a job that pays my bills after graduating? Was going to a top-tier institution worth it? How long will it take me to pay off the student loans?