<p>Prodesse makes a good point. Two summers ago I attended an informational session with the Chair of an MT department. He told the kids and parents there that the first thing they look at during an audition is how one enters the room and interacts with the accompanist. He told all of us that if they see an attitude they pretty much put a line through that person and move on, regardless of the quality of the audition. In his words, they will interview hundreds of very talented kids for about 20 spots. They don’t have to deal with attitudes. They will just turn that person down, and get 20 talented kids who show they can work together with their class and with their professors for 4 years. Their program is like a family, and they don’t see any reason to bring someone in who would disturb that. </p>
<p>None of us like to think our child does not do a good audition, or that their type may not match a program, or heaven forbid that our child would have an attitude that would turn off program X. But each of those things happen, and it’s part of the business. You just try to make sure your child isn’t the one with attitude, and the others (quality of audition and fit), you just hope for the best.</p>
<p>Oh, and one other thing that can distinguish: grades. First thing he said to the kids is they want smart students. So if they have a choice between two they will tend towards the one they know can handle the academics.</p>