Clinician's Corner: "Auditions--A Winning Attitude" Published Feb. 22, 2011 By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Bowers The USAF Band JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, D.C. -- Preparing for an audition can be stressful. The actual experience of taking an audition can be quite a nerve-racking experience. Whether you are auditioning for The United States Air Force Band or taking a seating audition for your school's band, here are a few tips to help you play your best. You should always plan ahead. Start preparing the music as soon as you know what it will be and practice on a regular basis. Playing every day for forty-five minutes is far more productive than practicing three hours one day and then taking four days off. When preparing for an audition, pay special attention to the basics. Note accuracy, rhythm and intonation are all quantifiable elements of music that will be noticed and evaluated. Next, think about the style of the music and make sure you know how your part fits into the piece as a whole. If there is a recording of the selection, listen to it. Determine what you like about that particular performance and apply it to your own preparation. The next step is to play your audition material for colleagues. You don't want the day of the audition to be the first time you have played the music for someone else. If you're not used to playing for people, this may make you nervous. This experience will teach you how to cope with your nerves. In the two weeks preceding the audition, gather a few family members or friends and run through the music for them. It doesn't have to take long and can be as simple as grabbing a friend ten minutes before a rehearsal or playing for your parents while they prepare dinner. The goal of this is to simulate the experience of an audition. On the day of the audition, be well rested and eat a substantial breakfast. Other than that, do everything as you normally would. Don't practice very much the day of the audition. You've already learned the music and you want your fingers and chops to feel fresh. And remember--relax and have fun! The people listening to you want to hear you play well. Good luck! Click to read a short biography of Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Bowers. For biographical information about other members of The U.S. Air Force Band, please see the Ensembles section of our website.