Performance and Audition success
Keys to Performing Well
Musical Preparation
Mental Preparation
Musical Preparation
What is the challenge?
Competitive Audition (concerto competition/ensemble contest/All Region-Area-State), Entrance/College Audition, Ensemble Audition (excerpt based), competitive performance (contest), concert performance
What is the goal?
Perform well (defined by you versus defined by others), earn a chair, win a competition, play “perfect”, improve over previous performances/auditions
What is the plan?
How much time do you have before your challenge? Do you have the materials needed for success? What resources do you have? Do you have the skills needed for success? Is your goal rooted in the reality of your situation?
Steps to Musical Success
1. Gather the materials and performance information
2. Realistically evaluate your current place as a performer
3. Form a goal based on the material, the performance, your level as a performer, and your resources
4. Using your goal, plan the course
5. Track your progress on the course and review in real-time
6. Perform
7. Relax
8. Evaluate
Things to Remember:
1. Your music is reflective of your skill.
2. The most effective practice is often done away from the music.
3. If you practice and prepare at the highest level, there are no guarantees about your performance. If you don’t practice and prepare at the highest level, you can guarantee that you won’t achieve at the highest level.
Mental Preparation
What is the challenge?
Effective practice, performance anxiety, lack of resources, lack of experience
What is the goal?
Practice better than previous experiences, perform well with anxiety, overcome lack of resources or experiences through approach
What is the plan?
Are you confronting your challenges or are you hoping for the best? Do you lack resources or are you not utilizing the resources you have?
Steps to Mental Preparation
1. Gather the materials and performance information
2. Realistically evaluate your current place as a performer
3. Form a goal based on the material, the performance, your level as a performer, and your resources
4. Using your goal, plan the course
5. Track your progress on the course and review in real-time
6. Perform
7. Relax
8. Evaluate
Things to Remember:
1. We rarely overcome anxiety- we learn how to be successful with it.
2. Nerves are often (but not always) a subconscious reflection of our preparation.
3. The voice in your head can have a conversation.
Recommended Resources
Winning On Stage- Performance Success website of Dr. Don Green
“Audition Success”- Audition book by Dr. Don Green
“Performance Success”- Performance book by Dr. Don Green
“The Inner Game of Music”- Performance book by Barry Green and Tim Gallwey