Band Aides West

Shawnee Mission West Pride Band Parent Booster Club
  • Band Aides Officers
  • Directors and Staff
  • Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Band Forms
Band Aides West

Audition Tips

TIPS FOR BETTER PLAYING TESTS AND AUDITIONS

Preparation – there is no substitute. The best way to battle nerves is preparation. Start your preparation as far in advance of the test/audition as possible.

Practice the scales that will be required. They should be perfect, especially chromatic scales. Too often, we skip practicing the scales, figuring we already know them. Then our nerves get the best of us in the audition room.

Practice rhythms and notes with a metronome. Once mastered, move on to dynamics and articulations. Be careful to play at the correct tempo.

Read and re-read the instructions for the audition/test. Make sure you know exactly what is expected.

Have high musical standards for yourself. For a judge, the difference between a mediocre audition and a good one is preparation. The difference between a good audition and a great one is attention to detail and tone quality. Be great!

No excuses! Generally speaking, speaking during your audition can only hurt you, unless a judge were to ask you a question. If you tell a judge that what you are about to play may be less than your best, you have essentially turned his/her ears off. The judge just wants to hear you play.

Be on time. Have water to fight cotton mouth. Be pleasant, but business-like. Regardless of how well you play, carry yourself with dignity at all times.

Whether you are playing for a spot in an ensemble, a chair, or a grade, GO EARN IT!

Social

Facebook Instagram YouTube
Photos on Smugmug

Sponsors

Lynn Elliot Co., Inc Logo, a Platinumb sponsor of the Shawnee Mission West Bands
Solutions Digital Consulting
KC Granite and Cabinetry

Search

Band Info

  • 2022 Hollywood Christmas Band Trip
  • 2022-23 BandAides Minutes
  • About Shawnee Mission West Pride Band
  • Band Aides Officers
  • Band Directors and Staff
  • Band Forms
  • Charms Office
  • Cookie Policy
  • Key Band Info
    • About Band Aides West
    • Audition Tips
    • Band Parent FAQ
    • Elementary Band Information
    • Fundraising
    • Key Shawnee Mission West Band Forms
    • Local Music Sources
    • Marching Band Uniforms
    • SM West Band Sponsorships
    • Volunteer Opportunities to help the Band be the Best!
  • London Information
    • London 2022
  • Viking Village Craft Fair
  • Website Credits & Licenses for Reuse
  • West Band Photos

Archives

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019

Shawnee Mission West Pride Band

All content © CC-BY Band Aides West.  Please give credit if you reuse, repost or re-purpose any of the content.  Photographs from band events are at https://bandaideswest.smugmug.com/  Parent band videos are on YouTube.

  • Shawnee Mission West Pride Band on Facebook
  • Shawnee Mission West High School