Plan the Audition Day
Confirm the route
- Check address, check-in time, room, transportation, parking, time zone and any equipment or accompanist arrangements.
Prepare materials
- Bring permitted scores, identification, instrument accessories, water and any institution-requested documents. Have a backup plan for fragile equipment.
Warm up intelligently
- Use a familiar routine that supports coordination and focus without exhausting the muscles or voice.
Recover in real time
- If a mistake happens, keep the music going. Stopping to fix a slip mid-phrase usually draws more attention than the slip itself.
Other chapters: Read the Actual Requirements · Choose and Document Repertoire · Build a Realistic Calendar · Practice for Accuracy · Develop Your Interpretation · Train Sight-Reading · Strengthen Ear and Theory · Improvise and Collaborate · Make a Prescreen Recording · Prepare for the Interview · Run a Mock Audition · Use Feedback Well · Your Instrument or Pathway · Worksheets and Rubrics
These exercises are independent practice, not official audition materials, and they do not guarantee admission. Always follow the institution's current published requirements. Requirements differ between schools and change each year. Check the school's current published list.
Open the Audition Preparation Handbook →