Our first round of seating auditions and performance evaluations are just behind us, and I'd like to take some time to reflect on the audition criteria, answer a few common questions, and offer some suggestions on how you can prepare most effectively for each evaluation and audition.

The audition is broken down into three sections: Scales, Prepared Piece, and Excerpts (or Sight Reading).  Each of these sections are scored by certain elements of music, which we'll discuss below.  

Scales

Knowledge of Key

Intonation

Tone

Facility

Prepared Piece, Excerpts, Sight Reading

Intonation

Rhythm

Tone

Technique

Musicianship

Knowledge of Key - Does the student play the correct key signature? If not, is it a matter of knowledge or demonstration-can the student name the accidentals when asked? 

Intonation-Is each pitch accurate? Does the student begin each note on pitch, or do they have to hunt and adjust?  If there are pitch problems, are they consistent throughout? Are the problems specific to a certain register, key, or technique?  

Tone-Is the student producing a representative tone for their instrument? Is the quality and volume of sound consistent?  Is the sound forced, weak, pinched, or otherwise hampered?

Facility-How fluid and consistent is the performance?  Does the student get lost or have to start & stop to complete the scale?  Does the student demonstrate consistent rhythm and the requested bowing/articulation correctly? 

Rhythm-Is each rhythm executed precisely? Some common issues here are: coordination in faster passages, lack of subdividing, and approximating rhythms (ex. dotted eighth-sixteenth compacted into triplet). 

Technique-How well is the student performing physically?  Does the student demonstrate correct fundamental playing technique?  Some common considerations here are are: posture, embouchure, tension, support, bow grip, articulation and other instrument specific techniques.

Musicianship-What is the student demonstrating beyond fundamental technique? Common considerations here are style, dynamics, expression, vibrato, and interpretation. Any additional expressive markings in your parts might be considered here, too.

Approaching your repertoire by breaking it down into these elements can help focus your practice sessions.  Best practice results are found when you spend deliberate time focusing to improve in one area, rather than just playing through a passage trying to "do it better."  I'm often asked for advice leading up to seating evaluations, so I'll list a few strategies that I often recommend as they apply to these elements of music.

To focus on intonation, play each scale over a drone note, stopping to tune each scale degree.  Do this exercise with your prepared piece by changing the drone to match the key of each section, phrase, or scale  you're having difficulty with.  For tone, try warming up several minutes with very long tones or open strings - can you maintain a consistent sound with no change in volume or quality? Tension is often the culprit preventing facility.  Try practicing in front of a full length mirror to look at each part of your playing position and set up.  Check in after practicing-how do you feel? Any lingering discomfort in your neck, shoulders, or hands may point to underlying tension issues.  For rhythm, think of the faster sections when you start a slower section so that you don't start too fast; a common mistake is uncoordinated left hand/right hand or tounging.  Use a metronome set to a subdivision of the pulse, paying attention to tied rhythms, syncopation, or slow tempos. 

These are just a few quick strategies, and there are countless more. I can't speak for every teacher, judge, or conductor you will work with, but I assure you that if you spend focused, dedicated practice on each of these elements of your performance, you will be more confident and successful in your auditions.  

Good luck!