Recommendations for a successful audition video
Be sure to read Audition Guidelines before recording your audition video
At MYS our goal is to make auditions as friendly and stress-free as possible. Auditions are a way to place you in the group that will give you the best musical training possible. Here are some suggestions on how to make the best possible video for your audition.
1. Select a good space. Avoid spaces that are too small, cramped or messy. Look for a place with good acoustics (avoid too dry or too boomy). Also, look for places where there is relative silence. Turn off the TV, silence your phone and leave pets out of the room.
2. Dress appropriately. No need to wear formal clothes, but make sure you’re presentable for the judges who will be watching. “Smart-casual” or “business-casual” should do it.
3. It’s OK to use your smartphone to record your audition. You don’t need professional equipment. Use the video orientation (horizontal or vertical) that makes sense for your instrument and room setup. We want to be able to see as much of you and your instrument as possible.
4. Leave enough distance between yourself and the camera, so that your posture is visible on screen: If you’re standing, you should be seen at least from the waist up. If you’re sitting, your entire posture should be in the frame.
5. Say your name and instrument clearly at the beginning of the video. “Hi. My name is ___. I play the ___.”
6. Record your audition in one take, without any edits. Auditions with cuts/edits may not be considered. Similarly, incomplete auditions will not be considered. Auditions should be recorded without accompaniment.
7. Refrain from adding titles or material that is not requested. Don’t say things about yourself besides what is requested in point 5.
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
Practice playing your scales or solo pieces against a pitch drone. Your intonation will thank you later.
Practice with a metronome. Are you with the clicks the whole time?
Calm preparation is a great tool to help with nerves in the future. Not feeling calm, come back to it in a little bit.
Prepare in the weeks and days leading up to recording your video. On the day, give yourself a relaxed warm-up with breaks. When you’re ready, plan to record your video in one take rather than a bunch of do-overs. Mistakes often creep in the more re-dos you try to record. The first take is often the best one anyway. Prepare, then do your best.