Frequently Asked Questions
What is this?
Audition Playbook is a workbook and guide designed to help you efficiently and effectively prepare for orchestral auditions.
The book is divided into two major sections. Part One is your guide to creating an effective audition plan. Part Two is your customizable Audition Playbook where you will personalize your plan and track your progress.
What is it NOT?
A re-invention of the wheel!
It is not a plan. It is the framework for you to create your own plan.
While there are many ideas and suggestions thrown at you in Part One, it is important to emphasize that this is NOT a strict system to which you must adhere, nor does the Audition Playbook suggest you change fundamental aspects of your approach to practicing and auditioning. Instead, the Audition Playbook provides the structure and framework upon which you can create and manage your own plan.
If you regularly practice for four hours a day in hour-long blocks—and you know that is what works best for you—keep doing it! If you practice in 20-minute blocks for six hours, go for it! If you know that mock auditions start to become counterproductive around the two week mark, stop at two weeks! If you like daily mock auditions, go ahead! This is all up to you. The point is simply that with whatever you choose—throughout your preparation—be deliberately and carefully thinking about all of this. Evaluate and re-evaluate. Plan it out, write it down, and stick to your plan.
That being said, if you've never taken an audition before and have no idea how to create your own plan, you will have no problem doing so. Part One: The Guide provides plenty of resources and tips.
It's also not a course. And there's nothing you need to pay to subscribe to.
What exactly am I planning for?
It’s up to you! You’re encouraged to brainstorm on or make plans for:
daily and weekly practice
technical skills you need to improve
goals for audition day
how you will divide and conquer the repertoire
mock auditions and playing for people
performance and mental skills to develop
audition day logistics like travel, food, what to wear, etc.
Audition Playbook helps you stay on track by dividing preparation into four distinct phases. The amount of time you spend in each phase is up to you. Each phase has its own checklist of suggested activities. Like everything else, it’s flexible and at your own pace.
Do I have to do everything in the book?
No! But for your first time, it can be helpful to experiment with it all. Some may wish to follow the Playbook exactly, others may wish to pick and choose sections to include. It is up to you.
The point here is to encourage you to have a plan and to give you the structure and ideas for building that plan.
Even if you decide to use every section of the Playbook, you are still creating your own plan!
Who is this for?
Anyone taking orchestral auditions, on any instrument, at any level.
Many musicians have adapted the tools in the book for band, chamber, and other auditions and performances.
Can I use this for All-State auditions? College music school auditions? Opera? Military bands?
Absolutely. The basic fundamentals of having a strong audition plan are universal to performances of all kinds.
An edition of Audition Playbook designed specifically for high school students is coming down the pipeline. If you are an educator or student interested in taking part in discussions during the development of this project, please let me know.
Can I purchase bundle packs for my studio or friends at a discount?
Yes! Contact me here!