It is extremely important that you follow the audition guidelines for each school you apply to. Expect that these will differ from school to school. Schools use your ability to follow their directions as one more indication of the type of student you will likely be if they admit you.

Whether this is for a prescreen or the actual audition, the first step is to check carefully the guidelines and requirements of any school you apply to. Students have lost opportunities for not following directions. And, each school is different. Don’t assume that what one school asks for is what other schools will also want. If the requirements are not clear, contact the admissions office and ask specific questions.

Most schools don’t expect you to spend a ton of money on creating your audition video but they do expect it to be done well enough to be able to judge your current level of proficiency and determine how well their program can provide what they think you need to become an even better musician. Note that some schools will only offer merit scholarships (scholarships not based on financial need) if you audition live. If finances are a concern, check this out with the school or schools you plan to audition for via video.

Check out this article: Tips for Pre-Screens and Recorded Auditions

Thank you!

Consider majoring in music education only if you love teaching others and love the idea of supporting those who know little about music as well as those who are far more advanced. If you’ve never been in a leadership position where you get to experience a bit of what a teacher does, look for volunteer opportunities to get a sense of how comfortable and excited you are about this role for yourself. You may even find that you can support younger students at the middle school level in your own community. If your current school has a Try-M Music Honor Society, join!

Also, look for a summer music program where you can focus on clarinet and get good mentoring, teaching, performance opportunities – and lots of efficient and effective practicing. Start by visiting the Summer Music Camps & Programs section of MajoringInMusic.com. Summer music programs are great for helping people with questions like yours get a better sense of what to pursue in college.

Look at the audition requirements at each school you plan to apply to – each one has its own unique expectations for auditioning students.

Take a look at these articles: Reducing Music Performance Anxiety and Revitalizing You and Your Music and 6 Tools for Managing Audition Anxiety. There will hopefully be some useful tips in these to help you feel less stressed and more focused with your audition. Remember that those on the audition team have worked with many students before you and recognize that many students feel anxious about the audition process. They’ve been in your shoes, too, and will likely have compassion for what you’re going through. Let us know how it goes and what worked best for you when the audition is over! And best wishes!

This is a great question because many others out there will benefit from it too. Every school has its own audition requirements. Be full of care to pay attention to the very specific details laid out clearly on the audition section of school websites. Schools have no mercy for those who don’t follow their guidelines! Schools will either give you specific pieces or suggestions. Note that they are looking to hear your artistry as you perform music you really enjoy playing and can play well. Don’t try to impress them with the hardest or most complicated piece you could possibly play and perhaps struggle through. Your audition is an opportunity for the audition committee to get a sense of your current level of proficiency. They also want to assess whether you would benefit from their school and what they have to teach you. And they want to gain a better sense of what you can bring to add value to their ensembles, orchestras, and classes. Your audition is ALSO a time for YOU to determine whether you’d feel good about spending four years at their school as well as working and learning with their faculty. Consider it a two-way audition process.

If you are not looking at a performance track program, which is sounds like you are not, then you may not need to do a music audition but instead provide a portfolio and recordings of your previous work as well as be interviewed. All schools are different as to what they require. So figure out what it is you’re looking for in a school, and then decide which schools meet your criteria. Then see whether you would need to audition. Take a look at the articles on popular music and music industry/music internships on MajoringInMusic.com. Also see the article on student-run record labels You can learn more about the schools mentioned in these articles right here on MajoringInMusic.com.

I am a fellow bassist as well and I have gone through many auditions (even though I am only a freshman in high school, so I don’t exactly know what colleges prepare). But most of the time you are expected to present a scale (I usually get to do of my choice) and you sight read a section of a song they have picked out. Sometimes they expect you to have a piece ready to show them what you have but most of the time you sight read.

We reached out to some of the participating schools on MajoringInMusic.com and want to share this great input from Annie Sklar, Music Enrollment Manager at University of Northern Colorado (UNC):

“The answer could vary depending on the specific school. At UNC, our orchestral ensembles are a rigorous musical experience; they play challenging classical and contemporary repertoire, have demanding rehearsal schedules, and put on several high profile performances each year. Our Symphony Orchestra is often called upon to accompany Opera Theatre productions, to perform with notable guest artists, and to perform at special events around the region. The expectation of students in the orchestra is that they be well-prepared and technically proficient, both in general as musicians and for the specific music that they have been tasked to learn. They should also be reliable and willing to put in many hours of rehearsal and practice time. I think those points hold true for most college level orchestras, although UNC’s specifically is known for being one of the best in the country and maintains a particularly high standard of accomplishment.”

Adhere strictly to the guidelines on the websites specified by each school you’re planning to audition at. There’s no wiggle room! If you have any questions at all, contact the admission office at each school. Don’t assume that any two schools are alike in what they require, and plan accordingly. Note that many schools tell us that they want you play what you’re passionate about, have learned really well, and that fits within their audition guidelines – rather than something very complicated that you struggle with in an attempt to show off your skills.

Music schools will expect you to demonstrate your sight reading ability during your audition. The more competitive the school, the higher the expectation. Yes, you will receive more training in this in music schools. But yes, you should make it a priority to strengthen your sight reading skills while you still have some time before audition season.

If you are not already signed up for a summer music program, we highly encourage you to do so. See our Summer Music Camps & Programs page to get started – a number of these programs still have space in them.

Look at the audition requirements on the websites of schools you want to apply to – and ask any of your questions to the schools that participate on MajoringInMusic.com by simply filling out the forms on their pages.