Audition Preparation with Leone Buyse

Taking auditions is something we've all done throughout our lives as musicians -- both as students and professionals.  Whether it is an audition for a university, a music festival, an orchestral position, or anything else that requires excerpts, preparation is key.  How should you prepare?  When do you begin?  These are some of the questions Powell artist Leone Buyse answers in the video below from MUSAIC.  In her discussion of audition preparation, she pinpoints crucial factors that may often be overlooked, including physical and mental preparation.

*Video courtesy of MUSAIC

Artist Profile - Sooyun Kim

International soloist Sooyun Kim recently joined the Powell artist family and is currently a member of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.  Born in Seoul and raised in the United States, Ms. Kim made her debut with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of ten.  She has performed as a soloist with The Boston Pops, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Münchner Rundfunkorchester and Münchener Kammerorchester.  Ms. Kim is also a recipient of the Georg Solti Foundation Career Grant and became the first American since 1964 to win a top prize at Munich’s 2010 ARD International Flute Competition in Munich, at which she was also awarded a Special Prize for the best interpretation of a commissioned work by Bruno Mantovani.  She received her Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Graduate Diploma from the New England Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Paul Robison.  Follow this link to read her complete bio on her Powell Artist Profile page.

In the following interview by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, we learn more about Sooyun Kim, including which career path she may have chosen had she not gone into music.  She also tells us about her current favorite book and recording -- but when she recollects her favorite Chamber Music Society memory, it is truly touching and inspiring.  

Audition Days

By Tammy Evans Yonce

Tammy Evans Yonce

It’s audition season! At my home institution, South Dakota State University, we are preparing for on-campus audition days as well as a couple of audition days at off-site locations as a convenience to students in the other parts of the state.

SDSU is a large state university that serves metropolitan as well as rural populations. Because of this, the backgrounds of auditioning students can vary widely. Some have had private lessons and other music-making opportunities outside of their high school music programs, while others have not played much outside the band room. When evaluating students who are auditioning within the music department, I look at several things. They are asked to prepare two contrasting works or movements. Do they have a characteristic tone? Are their tempos appropriate? Is their technique solid for the works they have chosen? In addition to these musical considerations, I am also interested in the attitude of the student. Are they enthusiastic about continuing with music in college? Do they have realistic expectations about the time commitment it requires, such as rehearsal time, practice time outside of lessons and rehearsals, and performances? Do they enjoy it, despite the hard work required? If a student has these traits and understands the time commitment involved, I am more than happy to teach him or her. It doesn’t matter if a student wants to become a band director, teach privately, play in a community group as a hobby, or has other musical goals, enthusiasm and realistic expectations go a long way in ensuring student success.

I strongly advise students to choose audition music that is well within their abilities. The college audition is not the time to choose a piece that is extremely difficult. Instead, audition committees are interested in how you play at this point in time, so choose music that will show the committee your best playing. It is also a good idea (and usually a requirement) to play contrasting pieces. This shows off your tone as well as your technical abilities and whether or not you have experience playing works from different style periods. Remember that you’re also auditioning the school. They want to get to know you but you also have to determine if the school is a good fit for you. Before your audition, ask if you can schedule a lesson with the flute teacher there, and talk to current students to find out what their experience has been. You also might want to sit in on a rehearsal or a class.

Best of luck!

For more on Tammy Evans Yonce, visit:
www.tammyevansyonce.com
Twitter: TammyEvansYonce
Powell Recording Studio for Tammy Evans Yonce