Preparing for a Youth Ensemble Audition

Auditions look mysterious from outside and are quite predictable from inside.

Independent guide. Not an orchestra, school, teacher or agency, and not affiliated with any organisation that previously used this domain. Audition dates, fees and programmes belong to the ensembles themselves — always confirm with them directly.

What is usually asked

Most youth ensemble auditions ask for three things: scales, a prepared solo that shows tone and musicianship, and excerpts from the repertoire the ensemble is playing. Some add sight-reading. Requirements are published by each ensemble, and they differ — read the actual list rather than assuming.

Preparing

• Start six to eight weeks out, not two.
• Learn the excerpts to tempo slowly: metronome up in small steps.
• Record yourself weekly. Students hear problems on playback they cannot hear while playing.
• Practise the whole audition, in order, standing, in the clothes you will wear, at least three times before the day.
• Play it for people. Nerves are a skill and the only way to train it is to perform.

Sight-reading

Before you play a single note, look at the key, the time signature, the tempo marking, the accidentals and the hardest bar. Choose a tempo you can hold through that hardest bar. Keep going when you make a mistake — stopping costs more marks than the wrong note did.

On the day

Arrive early enough to warm up properly. Tune. Take a breath before you start rather than launching. If something goes wrong, carry on — panels are listening for the shape of a player, not for perfection.

If you do not get the placement

Most students audition more than once. Ask, politely, what would make the difference next time; many conductors will tell you, and that answer is worth more than the placement.