High School Orchestra Audition Nerves!?

Question

I am auditioning for my high school orchestra group in a few days. I play the violin and am VERY nervous about my excerpt, which is a part of The March of the Meistersingers by R. Wager. I also have to play the C, G, and D 3-Octave scales. The excerpt goes VERY high, like a fourth finger on the E-string in 8TH POSITION! Yeah, I'm VERY nervous! What can I do to prepare and how can I get a great sound from my rental violin?

Answer 1

You've probably heard this sort of advise before but here goes. Focus on the few measures around the problem spot(s). People sometimes make the mistake of repeating just the problem spots but this takes them out of context. Say there's one note that gives you trouble. Start playing from 1, 2, or more measures before it dictated by the phrase. Do it 3 times. Then go to the next spot. Come back to the first one, and do it 4 times. Do the next one, and go to a third one.

Now here is the experienced performer in me:
You're not auditioning to hit perfect notes. You're auditioning to be a dynamic performer who understands the emotion and message of the music. I would rather take someone who can EXPRESS the music and who makes a few flubs and sour notes in audition than someone who plays perfectly, like a robot, with no emotional understanding.

When you get taken on despite a less than perfect audition, then is the time to prove you can tame all the wild notes.

How you grow is what determines the quality of your musicianship.

Answer 2

Practice. I know it sounds hokey - but you have to practice. A lot. Be grateful that you do not play a wind instrument - because with those your lips start to go and you can only practice so much. But with the violin - you are able to practice a LOT.

Regarding your nerves - here's what you do. Invite people over to your house to listen to you. Invite your neghbors over - or whoever. It's best if it is not people you know real well. That way you get used to playing in front of people.

It's hard to get a great sound from a rental - but I'm sure the people selecting the orchestra are aware of that and will take it into consideration!

I bet you'll do great!!

Answer 3

The only way to prepare is to PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!

On your scales, practice them slowly until your fingers know them very well, then start going faster (use a metronome for help). The scales will fall under your fingers easy enough...
With your piece, practice one section at a time. If it's a relatively easy part, you can work with 8 measures or so at a time, but on the more difficult parts, you might need to focus on ONE measure or even ONE beat if it has fast runs in it.
On any section that gives you trouble, just start slow, but in rhythm. Play that one part OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER. That's the only way to get it under your fingers. Then as you get used to that section, add the section immediately before it so you can get the transition smooth.

I'm always nerve wracked at auditons too, so I feel for ya. The only way to build that confidence is to know your music like the back of your hand! When you go over sections over and over, you'll start to memorize them. And while it's not necessary to play without the music, having it memorized is also a confidence builder because you know that you know it..but still, here's the music to back you up, a safety net.

Don't try to change any techniques at this point to try to get better sound. Find the point of tightness in your bow where it sounds best, rosin up good, and give a good solid stroke. If you try to change your technique, it will affect your sound and comfort level during your audition...if your technique needs some tweaking, do it AFTER the auditions.
Anyway...best of luck to you!!