Horn Auditions at Delaware

What Will Be on the Audition?

Candidates should select repertoire which showcases as many aspects of their playing as possible, such as slurring, legato and marcato tonguing, lip trills, high, middle and low register, loud and quiet dynamics, etc. Solo pieces should be in contrasting style, for example a slow, lyrical piece paired with a faster, more articulated selection. Audition material may be drawn from the standard repertoire for solo horn, horn and piano, etudes or orchestral excerpts. Lists of suggested repertoire can be found on the Department's Audition Information Page, but similar works may be substituted. If in doubt, feel free to contact me and I'll be happy to advise.

Other important components of the audition include major scales and sightreading. You should be prepared to play all major scales, in eighth notes at metronome marking 76 beats per minute, in one but preferably two octaves slurred up and tongued down.

Sightreading material is drawn from etudes or solo works of medium difficulty, and is usually only a few phrases long. This part of the audition is very important as it shows us your ability to understand and execute a musical passage in a short time, much as you would be expected to do in an ensemble situation. You can practice this skill by reading solos or etudes for other instruments, paying special attention to rhythmic accuracy, pitch accuracy and phrasing, in that order.

What Will the Committee Evaluate?

Your musical skill will be evaluated on a number of factors, but the main question we will be asking ourselves is: "Does this player have something to say with music, and does he/she say it clearly?" In addition to a full, clear sound we'll want to hear:

• Solid Rhythm
  A convincing regular pattern of accents and accurate division of the beats
• A Clear Sense of Phrasing
  Phrases that have a recognizable shape and lead logically from one to the next
• Clean Articulation
  Smooth slurs and precise tonguing
• Dynamic Range
  Ability to play clearly in loud and soft dynamics
• Tonal Range
  Ability to play clearly in high, middle and low registers

It sounds like a daunting list, and we'll certainly work on all of these aspects once you become a student here, but these guidelines help us to hear where you are presently in your development.

Will There Be Other Parts to the Audition?

In addition to the horn playing portion, there will also be a "Musicality" test to determine your current knowledge of music theory, harmony and sightsinging, along with an introduction to the Music Department. See the General Audition Information page for more information.

General Advice On Getting Through It

Auditions, like any performance situation, can be stressful, but they are a fact of life for musicians. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to help you be at your best for the audition day.

• Be Prepared!
  As obvious as that sounds, you should have a clear plan for what repertoire you plan to play, and if you will be making any cuts in the music, these should be clearly marked. Your admission audition for any school should be prepared much like you would prepare a public performance. Plan to provide the audition committee with at least one copy of all of your audition repertoire.
• Play for Others
  Plan ahead so that you can play your audition material for as many people as possible before the audition. These could be your friends, teachers, parents or anyone else who can spare 10-15 minutes to hear you run through your repertoire. Just getting used to playing with others present (especially strangers) goes a long way toward making your audition or performance experience feel more comfortable.
• Know the Music!
  Another seemingly obvious message, but here this means knowing the meanings of all the terms and symbols in the printed music, checking your tempo against the metronome marking if provided, and having a clear sense of what the accompaniment sounds like, even if you will be unaccompanied at the audition.
• Come and See Me!
  I am always happy to see prospective students before their audition for a "sample" lesson so we can talk about your playing, your audition material, and get to know one another a bit better. Many teachers at colleges and universities make a similar offer, so take advantage of it whenever possible.
• Get Plenty of Rest
  No one performs their best when tired, so plan to get sufficient sleep before the audition.
• Don't Leave Your Best in the Practice Room!
  Everyone has their own warm-up or preparation routine, but on the audition day plan on a moderate warm-up and avoid the temptation to blast through your audition material multiple times before you are called to the audition room. At our auditions, we always allow players to play a few notes before they begin to get comfortable with the sound of the room, so take advantage of the opportunity.
• Take a Deep Breath!
  There are numerous meditation and relaxation exercises available to help musicians cope with the demands and pressures of an audition or performance situation. The simplest and most crucial in my opinion is to be focused on your full and efficient breathing as this is what usually leaves us first in a challenging situation! Taking several full and measured breaths (e.g. 4 beats in , 4 beats out) before you enter the audition room will help to slow your heart rate and contribute to a sense of calm.
• Play Without Self-Judgment
  This is always one of the most difficult aspects of performance: giving what is in our hearts without the rational mind spoiling things by dwelling on missed notes or rhythmic errors. Before you begin to play your audition, give yourself permission to play freely and to trust your thorough preparation to carry you through. An audition committee (or an audience) always wants to hear your best, so focus on giving them your best rather than worrying over mistakes you can't take back.
• Be Prepared to Talk
  At UD, we frequently ask candidates about themselves, their educational or career goals, or about performance experiences that have been special to them. This will be the case in many admissions auditions, since the committee is trying to get to know the person as well as the musician. This is a great opportunity to share why a music degree is important to you, what inspired you to pursue music professionally and to point out any other information that might help the committee reach an admissions decision. Take a few moments in your preparation to think carefully about what inspires you about music, your current career goals, and why you feel you would make an effective performer or music educator. Show us your enthusiasm both as a musician and as a human being!

If I Pass the Audition, am I Admitted?

We hope so, though in addition to the Music Department audition, your admission status to the University is determined by the strength of your application, your grades, SAT scores and other factors which are apart from your musicianship. All students must be admitted to the University before being admitted to the Music Department, but a strong audition certainly goes a long way toward helping your admissions prospects if your grades or SATs are less than stellar!

When Will I Find Out About Admission?

Officially, Department admissions decisions are made after the last audition day in February, with Department scholarship awards decided in early March. If you present a particularly strong audition, you will likely get an indication of this well before the official deadlines. I do my best to keep prospective students up to date, and will pass along what I know as soon as I can.