Hello out there! I am auditioning tomorrow for the Music Department at the university…I am playing two piano pieces, and I am scared out of my mind about it! Do any of you have experience, advice, tips, comforting words, etc?
This is my first time auditioning, so I’m extra nervous!
The oxen are slow, but the earth is patient.
and
Endeavor to persevere.
Cool, thanks! Be patient…etc. I know I need to do that, but it’s scary because my performance tomorrow affects my next six months of education!
On 2002-11-13 10:24, Kai wrote:
Cool, thanks! Be patient…etc. I know I need to do that, but it’s scary because my performance tomorrow affects my next six months of education!
Kai, it’s always scary, but calmness wins the day. Say to yourself, “I’m a professional (even if you’re not…it’s a frame of mind) and this is just another day at the office.”
A little adrenaline rush never hurts – it makes some people play (speak, whatever) better. View the perceived fear as energy and channel the energy into concentration and into your playing. The whole ordeal will seem to go by in a heartbeat.
Best of luck, Charlie
Kai I sent you a private message, check it pls.
Um, forgive me, but how do I check a private message? Do you mean to my hotmail address? Or something else?
Advice : don’ t tongue the notes too much 
Comforting ? The French lucky charm word, traditional for anyone before a performance, or exam’. So you need it twice. Watch out : thanking for it brings the jinx, and one usually doesn’t even reply. So here’s our, hearty if not tasteful…
Merde !
Kai, if you log in to the board, you’ll see a hyperlink at the upper right that says 1 private message (or however many messages you actually have). It’s in the section with links to Forum Index, Edit Profile, etc.
As to your audition-- BREATHE! Breathe in for five, hold for five, out for five, no breath for five… repeat as many times as necessary to clear your mind of all doubts and worry, and to bring your focus to simply giving the best performance you are capable of giving, at this point in time. Best of fortune to you!!
Andrea ~*~
P.S. Zubivka, how do you tongue a piano piece? That might look a little odd to the jury!
[ This Message was edited by: aderyn on 2002-11-13 10:50 ]
so the people in charge are watching me sit there and breathe, right? I mean, that is my liberty to preparing, so I will feel ready to play away!?!
I did find the little private messages thing at the top, so thank you!
And how can you play piano keys with your tongue? Toes, maybe, but that was when I didn’t have as much respect for the piano as I do now!
Even those old stagers who’ve been performing for decades still get nervous. I can’t perform well publicly unless I’m just a little bit nervous. When I do something new I get very nervous. The advice you’ve been getting on how to handle it is good advice.
On 2002-11-13 10:48, aderyn wrote:
P.S. Zubivka, how do you tongue a piano piece? That might look a little odd to the jury! >
Correct : that’s why I disadvised it!
Having a shot o’ malt does however, allow you to slur at the piano :roll:
I do thank all of you for the advice…I will try to remember it all. Even in my lessons I get nervous and start losing my place and messing up…it’s all very frustrating. But I will have to loosen up and have more fun with it…show them I enjoy what I am doing, right? (And breathing DOES help! Thank you!)
How do you all keep on getting those cute smilies on your posts? I’m clueless!
Gettin’ chucked in it usually has one of two results: You either blast off and give a good performance, or you freeze solid. Most of it is pure attitude. Here is an exercise for you that will get you truly prepared:
Go to a fairly crowded part of town, a shopping centre, a mall, big department store, and talk to everyone you meet. Say “hello!”. Say “Hi! What kind of a day are you having?”. Say “What a wonderful baby!”. Talk to them singly and in groups, just simple conversationals. “How about this weather!”, “Can I help you find something?” (to someone looking confused or lost). Everybody. Even if they are pointedly ignoring you, or look “out of it” to you. Keep a smile on your face. Do it for an hour, for a few days.
In a short time, as you get used to doing that, your conversations will lengthen. You’ll know what to say to get people to respond to you pleasantly. And you’ll be ready to perform before a crowd, because you’ll have been doing just that!
Just a little tip from “Mr. Stage Fright”, who is now a street character in the local Renaissance Festival, and talks to everyone!
Cheers, Have fun! 
Bill Whedon
I know what it’s like to have stage fright and it takes some work to overcome it. The mindful breathing techniques here are all good. Positive visualizations could be of great help to you, too. Let me add that you should try to enjoy playing your music, it’s a gift, after all.
-Saw an 80 year old woman cutting loose on boogie-woogie piano recently in a stage production. Stole the show by presence, talent, skill and sheer joy, some of the good stuff (its not all bad) which comes with age. Her first two notes were hesitant, then she gave the music its head. Smokin!
Anywho,-thats my uneducated advice: -Give the music its head, whether it wants to rip up the place or speak in measured subtlety. One of my grandmothers was a silent movie pianist and live radio show performer in Canton, Ohio, and music
engaged her from head to toe when performing, a total experience.
Brian O.
[ This Message was edited by: brianormond on 2002-11-13 11:24 ]
Kai, I would recommend doing the breathing before you step onto the stage to play. I’m really good with breathing meditations, but I think that would be too much for me to sit on stage and have people watch me breathe-- unless that’s why they were there in the first place! 
Andrea ~*~
P.S. To get smilies, check out:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/faq.php#smilies
and to get the really fun ones, go to:
http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/
Kai,
wear a really short skirt, but put a frumpy cardigan over the top.
Then when you get to the audition, if it’s a woman judge, keep the cardie on. She’ll
a) see you as unthreatening to her job and hire you.
b) probably take you under her wing with fashion advice.
If it’s a man, take the cardie off and show plenty of leg. He’ll
a) not hear a note you play, and have to pass you!
b) see you as a cutie-Kai who will raise the profile of the department and hire you.
At least, that’s what I ALWAYS do in auditions and interviews, and it works for me.
I second the breathing exercise! It will give you a a little peace before you go on.
Also, don’t try to be note-perfect. DO try to communicate your enjoyment of the music. Play as if you’re showing the jury what you like about it. These professors are going to be tired, bored, you name it. They’re really not thinking about trying to destroy your life. Let them enjoy a performance from you. Give them a little break in their day.