College auditions can be stressful, but with plenty of preparation and a great attitude, you can ace yours. Keep these tips in mind as you prepare:

1. Fine-tune technique and control. Work on scales, intervals, articulation, and long tones. Make sure you know the audition requirements, such as sight-reading and ear training, and prepare for each element.
2. Select repertoire. You know your strengths—select pieces that showcase those strengths. “A slow, lyrical piece is often the hardest to play well,” says Mark Britt, MENC member and professor of low brass and music education at Furman University in Greenville, SC.
3. First impressions count. Every moment counts at an audition, from the warm up to the last piece. Stay positive and professional, as you would at a job interview. “We are looking for someone with a positive attitude, leadership qualities, and willingness to be part of a larger team,” says Lynn Brinckmeyer, director of choral music education at Texas State University and past president of MENC.
4. Prepare a resume. A resume and a list of representative literature will help the committee get a sense of your abilities. These materials also show your interest in the program.
5. Focus on the music. The unexpected may happen, from a runny nose to a wardrobe malfunction. If you focus on the music, you’ll make the best possible impression no matter what the circumstances.

For more information, see MENC’s brochure on How to Nail a College Entrance Audition.

Need more advice and support for your audition? Share your concerns on the Future Teachers forum.

This material has been adapted from an article by Andrea Keating.

--Anne Wagener, August 12, 2008, © MENC: The National Association for Music Education