Artists House Music contains an incredible wealth of auditioning resources that will help you whether you are auditioning for a scholarship, trying to land a big break on Broadway, or an opening spot for a local band. Learn what it takes to put together a successful audition with practical tips and advice from world-class musicians.

First, are some audition tips for singers by Ellen Frohnmayer, assistant professor of voice at Loyola University New Orleans.

Dr. Frohnmayer claims that it’s important to walk into your audition and be glad to be there. Smile, introduce yourself, be friendly and remember that people don’t know you are nervous. Look them in the eye and introduce yourself.

Take your place in the curve of the piano. Bring legible music for the accompanist. Shake hands with and smile at the accompanist. Know your music by memory and perform it a lot before the audition.

Auditioning and anxiety seem to go hand in hand for folks.
Bill Wesbrooks from NYU talks about psychological aspects of the audition. He provides practical tips on dealing with rejection. Often, the decisions made about you have nothing to do with you. Being “right” for the part can mean many different things.

Brian Gill, Assistant Professor of Vocal Performance at NYU discusses various techniques to help ensure a successful audition. He advises his students to stay centered and to make sure they focus on doing what they know works for them. Find a center point that’s uniquely “you” and find the place where that fits in. Rather than trying to be what others want you to be, stick to what works for you and shop it around. You can do 100 auditions to find the place that’s right for you.

According to Damien Bracken, Director of Admissions at Berklee College of Music in Boston, an audition does not have to be an ego crushing, world crashing experience. There are some fundamentals to the art of auditioning (and it is an art) that will give you more control in the audition room, and giving a good audition is all about that—control.

Choosing the right prepared piece is a critical first step. Find a piece that you know is within your technical range while still demonstrating your level of musicianship. Listen to what you are playing. Internalize the music so that when you perform you can focus solely on the music and not what the adjudicator is writing in their evaluation of your playing! Seek out opportunities to play your prepared piece with other musicians or perform it for family and friends so that you can get used to being in that moment. If you do not have access to other musicians, there are several “music-minus-one” play-along resources on the Internet and at music stores. It is important to practice playing with other musicians, even if they are virtual.

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Although the experts in this guide come from varying backgrounds and experience in the music industry, the advice they provide for auditioning is consistent: conduct your audition with confidence, be courteous, friendly, and extremely prepared, and finally, be true to yourself and what you do best.

Wishing you all the best of success with your auditions!