Auditions are stressful! I’ve definitely been there myself. All of a sudden something really important is riding on just a few minutes of playing. Here is my list of tips to have a successful audition.

1. Start Preparing EarlyStart working on all of the audition repertoire as early as possible. Slow practice with a metronome is a great way to build a solid foundation. This also gives you plenty of time to work through any problems you are having. When the stress of the audition sets in your body will default to how you have been practicing it. Short, crammed practice only at performance tempo usually results in an audition that just doesn’t go they way you want it to. Thorough slow practice will help you have the audition you know you are capable of.
2. Listen to the MusicOne of the most important things the judges or committee is listening for is musical style. Each composer, time period, and genre have their own unique characteristics. Mozart shouldn’t sound like Metallica. Listening to multiple different recordings of the music you are preparing will help you to understand what is and is not appropriate for a given piece. As someone who has judged auditions, I can say with confidence, it’s obvious when someone doesn’t understand the style. It’s a tragedy too, because they are often very talented players otherwise.
3. Understand What the Judges are Listening ForAudition repertoire is often chosen after meticulous consideration. The judges/committee/panel has picked this rep because it will expose certain weaknesses or show off various strengths. This can often be things like tricky or difficult rhythms, exposed intonation (octaves are particularly important), or wanting to make sure that you still sound good when playing really loud or really soft.
4. Pace YourselfLeading up to the audition, it’s important to start pacing yourself. The amount that you can learn and improve tapers off quickly in the week before the audition. If you keep trying to work on that stubborn passage you risk tiring yourself out. No amount of practice and preparation is going to help if you go into the audition with embouchure muscles that are just too tired to function properly.
5. Get a Good Night’s SleepAt least the night before if not several nights before, make sure to get a good full night of sleep. Your mind and your body will work better with a proper night’s sleep.
6. Take a BookIt doesn’t have to be a book, but take something to occupy yourself. Audition days often have long periods of waiting. You’ll be tempted to do one of two counterproductive things. Because your instrument is right there in front of you, it’s very tempting to (sometimes mindlessly) keep playing and playing. This will only tire you out right before your audition. Do your normal warmup routine, then put your instrument down. If you have nothing to do, your mind will start to focus on the audition and you will get more and more anxious. Having a book or some other activity is a good way to stay focused on something else and limit the amount of time you have to think too far ahead and get anxious.
7. Use the “Grace Period”Often times when you start and audition you will be given a short time to “play a few notes”. The judges know you have probably been standing around without playing for at least 10 min or so. Use this chance to orient yourself and prepare for the first thing you will have to play (if you know what it is). Have to start with the solo? Play a scale or arpeggio in the key your solo starts in. Have to start with something short and punchy? Play a scale staccato. You aren’t doing anything to help yourself if you play something unrelated to the audition material and then have to do the mental gymnastics of switching gears right before you start the audition.
8. Let it Go!You’ve practiced very hard for this audition. It’s time to step back and let all your preparation shine through. Performance anxiety often starts to set in when we try to control things we don’t actually have control over. Auditions often have small mistakes in them. That’s human nature. Let them go and keep showing off what makes you so great! If you have trouble with negative self talk during a performance or audition a product like Perform with Confidence may be a great help to you. Musicians often think that lots of right notes, and machine like accuracy and consistency are what matter most, but often sacrifice a musical and compelling performance.