<p>I just wanted to second violindad on the fact that auditions have no need to be perfect. They’re not looking for perfection!
I know a horn player who auditioned for the Chicago Symphony. He told us a story of this day…
At one point he messed up royally, and made the horn belch out this monstrous unbecoming sound, but he managed to recover and continue on. He was totally not expecting to get the chair, but as it turns out they selected him over 79 others for principle…he was far from perfect, but he allowed the music to continue on from this random mishap, which is a monumentally important skill.</p>
<p>I hear a lot of music performed at my school, some by world class pros who have been doing this for decades, and I’ve yet to hear a perfect performance. What I do hear is confidence, colour, and art. Don’t go before that panel striving for perfection. Make it a moment they can easily recall after listening to who knows how many other auditionees that day…make them stop jotting down notes or texting to just listen to you. Make the choice easy for them.
Don’t compare yourself to the other students, and love what you do.</p>