AMTA (Alabama Music Teachers Association) Pre-College District Solo Auditions
Mid April (District III, Birmingham area auditions are usually held at Samford University)
(Individual audition times = 15 minute slots, TBA, as soon as the competition chairman schedules the
entrant – audition times are usually available a minimum of 1-2 weeks prior)
What should I expect? Things to consider:
1. Prepare your music scores ahead of time. (All markings should be erased, all
measures numbered. On the day of the competition, make sure you open all your
music to the piece you’re playing, then stack the music in the order you will play.)
2. You will register, then they will escort you to your room. Most likely, you’ll wait
outside in the hallway while the previous student finishes.
3. When you are told to enter the room, walk to the judge, smile, and hand him/her
your music (opened, and facing away from you).
4. Go to the piano and get settled at the instrument. Adjust the bench – (add
cushions and footstool as needed … make sure you are sitting at the CORRECT
HEIGHT). You do NOT bow for the judge in private auditions.
5. The judge should ask you if you would like to try-out the piano. If he/she does
not, politely ask them “may I try-out the piano”?
6. Try-out the piano: You should have a predetermined ‘routine’ for this. It is best
to have certain parts of your pieces you will play – if you are using pedal, make
sure you include a section that includes the pedal(s). PRACTICE THIS “TRYOUT ROUTINE” regularly in your practice sessions the weeks before.
7. After you do your ‘Try-out routine”, place your hands in your lap and wait
quietly.
8. Once the judge is ready, he/she will ask you select KT&T scales, chords etc.
Listen carefully. Take your time before playing. If you are not clear what they
said, (G major? D major? etc.) ask them, (for example, “Did you say “D Major”
-- D as in Dog”? etc.)
9. Play your scales/arpeggios at a slower steady tempo – THINK before you play.
Just like our sight-reading “pre-scanning”, you want to take your time and be
ready before you jump into a scale/cadence/arpeggio etc.
10. Project your voice as you spell aloud the I, IV, V chords or the intervals. Don’t
mumble.
11. Place your hands in your lap and sit quietly as you wait for the judge to instruct
you what to play. Be patient … that’s the hardest part!
12. After the KT&T is over, the judge will ask you to play your 1st piece. He/she
MAY ask you what you would like to play first. Be prepared to know WHICH
PIECE you would like to play – the “ideal order”. OR, the judge may say, “can I
hear your 1st piece now – whenever you’re ready”, or “can I hear your
Beethoven”, or “can I hear your Sonatina” etc. Know the COMPOSER and
TITLE of all 3 of your pieces.
13. Remember, you are the ONLY person who plays that given piece the way YOU
do. You have worked hard to perfect this piece, so just have fun and play the
piece the way YOU know YOU like it to sound!
14. Take your time before starting your pieces. Make sure you have set your ideal
performance tempo and “heard” the 1st part of the piece in your head BEFORE
you begin. This make take several seconds – the judge expects this – this is the
sign of a good performer!
15. If the piece doesn’t go perfectly, don’t worry! Keep playing, and jump to the next
memory landmark if necessary. Keep that poker face no matter what. After you
finish, place your hands in your lap and wait until the judge instructs you to play
your 2nd piece.
16. Once you have finished your 3rd piece, place your hands in your lap. Wait until
the judge instructs you to leave. You will NOT bow after you play in a solo
audition. The judge may ask you to wait outside the room until he/she is finished
referring to your music scores. He/she may ask you to go ahead and take your
music as you exit the room. Either way – just follow their instructions and, again,
be patient.
17. Remember, these judges are not paid much (if any) and work VERY hard –
nonstop – all day long. They care about you and that is why they are there. Be
appreciative of their efforts and be kind and respectful. It’s important to never
complain about a piano – the tuning – the smell in a room – whatever. Be a good
sport and be a “good trooper”. The judge will respect you for this. All
performance scenarios are not always ideal – it takes a great performer (and a
great person!) to be able to rise above less-than-ideal settings. Not all pianos will
be perfect – not all performance venues (halls/rooms) will be perfect – not all
audiences will be perfect. The judge knows this, he/she will know the limitations
of a given piano/room, and he/she will respect you for being able to perform
despite a less-than-perfect atmosphere.
18. As you leave the room (with, or without your music – as the judge instructs) thank
the judge politely, (say “thank you”), and walk proudly and confidently as you
exit the room. If the judge compliments you, thank him/her graciously. Say
“thank you” and smile. Don’t apologize or complain or offer any other input.
19. If the judge did not give you back your music, wait outside the room. Once you
get your music back, go back to the place you registered, (or to the room where
your parents are waiting).
20. Treat yourself to something special for all the hard work you have done. You
should receive the results/adjudication sheets by your next lesson.
21. Be proud! By participating in this event, you can count yourself as one of a
handful of elite music students across the state – no matter what the results or
scores, you have accomplished something quite remarkable.