College auditions for music degree?

[erincon23]

If you've had a child go through music auditions to get into college for a music performance degree, can you give any advice? My son is applying to a couple of schools for jazz (tenor sax), and I want to help him have every advantage available so that he will get the best scholarships possible. He is working with a private teacher who is a grad of one of the two top schools Greg is applying to (in the same instrument and program), so that's taken care of. Greg has met with the professors at both schools, and both have been complimentary of his skills. He is working hard on the audition requirements, but what is there that we don't know?

Erin

[missypie]

Go to collegeconfidential.com. There is a music major forum. The parents there are terrific and you'll learn a lot.

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/

[olena]

If the private teacher is an alum of one of these programs, I'd ask him what little extras the staff would appreciate.

[Mouse House Mama]

Make sure he can sight read very well.

[Simba's Mom]

Originally Posted by erincon23

If you've had a child go through music auditions to get into college for a music performance degree, can you give any advice? My son is applying to a couple of schools for jazz (tenor sax), and I want to help him have every advantage available so that he will get the best scholarships possible. He is working with a private teacher who is a grad of one of the two top schools Greg is applying to (in the same instrument and program), so that's taken care of. Greg has met with the professors at both schools, and both have been complimentary of his skills. He is working hard on the audition requirements, but what is there that we don't know?

Erin

DS went through this 8 years ago, when he entered the Jazz studies program at University of North Texas (great program). I really wish your son luck, and I'll warn you and Greg what happened to us (don't worry, it's funny, not scary). Matt practiced so hard for this audition, but after about 30 seconds of playing, the professor stopped him and said "OK, I've heard enough-you're accepted." Although Matt was happy, part of him felt like saying "Hey, I've really practiced and worried about this audition. At least hear it all!" Meanwhile DH was outside the door, and just heard Matt stop playing after about 30 seconds. Poor DH was thinking "OMG, did he pass out? Throw up in his trumpet? Throw up on Prof Johnson?" Then DS and the professor chatted for about 3 more minutes, leaving DH to sweat it out. SO the audition will probably be worse in the anticipation, and worse for the parents!

[GeorgeG]

His teacher should be able to tell him everything he needs to know. I would expect he will need to play something on the piano as well as his sax, maybe even sing some. Most music degrees require that. Most auditions are in front of a panel of judges and it's important to listen closely to what they ask. It might not be what is anticipated. Nobody starts out perfect, which is why they call it school, so aptitude is important.

[Judy from Boise]

it might be nice to rehearse the firm hand shake, look em in the eye "nice to meet you sir" etc. I also might start discussing what he is planning on wearing . Some times "little" things add up when people have the same amount of talent, and it can come down to people skills and polish.

[erincon23]

Simba'sMom, that was hilarious! I would worry too if I were standing outside not knowing what was going on!

Thanks for the suggestions -- many of them we've got covered -- he enjoys dressing up (tie, etc) and has already planned his clothing; he can sing (he's lead in his rock band and in the top choirs at school), and has taught himself piano, and although none of the programs say keyboard is required for audition, they all have keyboarding competency for graduation. I know his teacher will help! We've gotten information this week on times and specific pieces, so he'll be working on those for the next three months. He got his acceptance yesterday to one of the two schools (the one he's more likely to attend because of cost), so that's taken care of. I'm just nervous about the whole thing -- we all think he's talented, but we have no idea what the other (the competition) students will be like!

Erin

[spaceacewannabe]

Sounds like he's got a good handle on it!

[Golf4food]

As long as you are a competent player who shows obvious talent that can be groomed and a desire to do so, that's the big part for most schools. They're freshmen. They aren't expected to be fully polished. Learn the pieces - really learn them - and know how to sight read. I was always amazed at how many music majors I came across could not sight read worth a darn. Dress like you care (doesn't sound like a problem). Do those things and he'll probably be fine. Only the very elite schools require you to already play like a world class player right from the beginning. If he can play the tenor, sing, and play some piano, he's already got a head start on many music majors I ever knew or met at honor bands or conferences.

And since he's in jazz, improv, improv, improv. And that means THEORY. Learn theory, and not just jazz theory. Not learning theory and thinking you are a musician is like an author not learning grammar or spelling. Theory IS music.

[golfgal]

Also keep in mind that sometimes you just don't get in and it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with the fact that they have more than enough tenor saxes (or whatever instrument) already.

[erincon23]

From everyone's comments, I think he'll be ok... and I do realize that there's a quota, so if he's not accepted it may not be him -- but I can't even think about that now! The school he's most likely to go to had 14 tenor auditions last year, offered to 6 and 3 accepted... and they're a very good school, but not elite. The "elite" school probably also has a good chance of accepting him, but probably also won't offer him enough cash to attend. He's competing (although I don't like to look at it that way) with his best friend, who is applying to the same schools but in music ed and on a different instrument -- and the friend is a "wunderkind" who is already playing professionally (he's a terrific kid and an excellent musician, and they play together fantastically). I guess we'll be on pins and needles for a few more months!