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Date Posted: 12:00:52 01/25/07 Thu
Author: Nickie
Subject: Auditions

In MUS 373 (Secondary Choral Methods), we have been discussing the audition process. We contemplated whether or not auditions are really necessary for all students, and for all ensembles. What if you have a student who has been in your ensemble for three years? Do they still need to audition? What about open-enrollment ensembles that are technically "non-auditioned"? Should the director still hold auditions?

According to my personal teaching philosophy, all students should audition, not only to ensure proper placement (both ensemble-wise and section/chair-wise), but also to assess progress they may have made/are making.

What do you all think about auditions? Necessary or not so necessary?

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Replies:

[> Re: Auditions -- Honoree, 09:40:11 01/28/07 Sun [1]

I agree with your philosophy that all students should audition. As you said students will progress and it is important to know at what level they are singing or playing. It is also important so that as the conductor one does not forget the individuals sound. Lastly, as is obvious it is necessary for proper placement. Especially with boys, over the course of the summer their voice may change drastically. Therefore, it is important to monitor the change to properly place these students.


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[> Re: Auditions -- Jessalyn, 16:21:10 01/28/07 Sun [1]

I fully believe that students should be required to audition into groups. It not only sets the mindset that the group should be taken seriously, but also proves that they need to work hard. I know when I have to audition I work harder to prove that I am qualified and want to be in the group. It also shows the teacher what level the student is performing at and whether or not that student would fit best with that group.


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[> Re: Auditions -- Hayley Pletcher, 19:55:18 01/29/07 Mon [1]

I completely agree with what has previously been said. I do think that everyone should audition for groups even if they have been in the group for three years. The audition process allows for everyone to have an equal opportunity to participate in the ensemble. Plus, if a group has a limit on how many people are allowed to participate and there is no audition process, then the people who were previously in the group are already guaranteed a spot in the ensemble. This causes a problem because even though someone new maybe better than someone who is already in the group, the new person might not be able to get in the ensemble because the limit of people have already been met.


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[> [> Re: Auditions -- Amanda Chaney, 15:24:14 01/31/07 Wed [1]

I think auditions are a very good idea even if the member is a returning member because it not only shows where that student should be placed within the ensemble, but also if they have progressed in their abilities. I think that if your choir is singing in four part harmony that this group should be audtioned no matter what. Also when someone has to audition for a group it gives the ensemble a little more credit.


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[> Re: Auditions -- Doug Sturgeon, 08:16:31 01/30/07 Tue [1]

I don't think that you should re-audition for the ensemble you are in. You have already shown the director that you can meet the required standards plus more. On the other hand, I think re-auditioning should be allowed. What if you have a bad year and you start to slack off? That's when re-auditioning has to come in play.


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[> Re: Auditions -- Emma, 19:02:12 01/30/07 Tue [1]

I agree that auditions are necessary, as long as there is a choir that is non audition. People who are serious about music will audition and those who arent will not even bother auditioning. Auditions are very stressful so as a director it is important to make is as less stressful as possible.


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[> Re: Auditions -- Nickie, 12:18:48 02/01/07 Thu [1]

While I agree with what Emma said, I still think that even the "non-auditioned" groups should be auditioned. What I mean is, we shouldn't confused the term "non-auditioned" with "open enrollment." I think that even if you have an open-enrollment group (which every school should have), you should still hold auditions in order to properly place the musician as well as monitor their progress. I guess what I'm saying is, I really think yearly auditions are very necessary for both open-enrollment AND audition-only ("select") ensembles.


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[> Re: Auditions -- Beth G., 15:12:12 02/01/07 Thu [1]

I do agree that all the students should audition no matter how long they have been in the ensemble. The student may have changed over the year for the better or the worse. There could also be new students that audition better than the person who has been in it for many years. Then the audition could help in the placement of the student in the ensemble.


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[> Re: Auditions -- Amanda J, 17:00:59 02/02/07 Fri [1]

I believe that auditions should be required for all students coming into an ensemble, no matter how long they have been in the group. It's not fair to just give someone a chair because they were there last year. There could be someone coming in that may have more strengths than someone who has been there. It also keeps the number of players managable Finally, it shows progression in the students that have been in the group for a number of years.


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[> [> Re: Auditions -- Amanda M., 14:18:28 02/12/07 Mon [1]

I agree with the majority of the comments posted. I think that there should be an audition process for musical groups. For one thing, it shows that an effort is being made to try to make assigned chair positions fair. Also, if a person has improved their skills, and there are no auditions, then they will probably be stuck in the same chair. Without auditions, students who have improved cannot show it sometimes in the band.


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[> Re: Auditions -- Chad B, 08:58:35 03/22/07 Thu [1]

I have mixed feelings about auditions. It depends on the ensemble. If it is an instrumental ensemble, I say auditions should be required annually to determine placement and assess quality. However, in my personal experience with vocal ensembles, there is no "chair" so to speak. In this case, I recommend annual "assessments" instead of auditions because the term suggests that you are battling for your spot. In advanced ensembles, auditions should be required to ensure premium quality overall.


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[> Re: Auditions -- Jayme Orians, 19:35:38 03/28/07 Wed [1]

I feel auditions are a good thing for performing ensambles. Even if someone has been in the ensamble for a long time the threat of possibly not making the group will elavate their own performace so that they will be sure to make it. Competition breeds a better group because the students have to work hard to remain in a top seat or get into a top seat.


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[> Re: Auditions -- Jessica, 07:20:47 03/31/07 Sat [1]

I believe that auditions are necessary. This way there is less animosity towards the singer/player recieving the solo/chair than if they were simply given the solo based on class or experience. You never know; there could be a talented Freshman or Sophmore who is equally or even more so equipt to handle a certain solo/chair than the Junior or Senior.


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