Orchestral Practice and Audition Training
Learning Objective
Through an audition training programme, the course help students to learn how to prepare an audition for an orchestra based in three pillars: preparation (practice techniques and time management), emotional/stress management and audition performing.
Course Description
The course is based on the idea of audition simulation, what will be the last part of this programme. After learning how to prepare for it through different exercises and workshops using professional coaching tools and some basics about emotional stress management techniques, the students will play an audition simulation.
Each participant will be taken two times through the recruitment process for an imaginary post in a modern symphony orchestra, one at the beginning of the course, the other at the end. For each of the two fancied job openings, the student will be given an audition to be adjudicated by the teachers and the rest of the group. Each audition consists of two rounds, the first is short and played from behind a curtain. The second one will be like a final in a professional orchestra. The course devotes itself to the preparation and evaluation of these auditions.
The course is based on generative learning strategies and professional coaching tools for musicians.
Structure
1. Workshops (2 hrs. each)
- Stress/emotional management part I
- Planning and time management
- Practicing techniques / healthy habits
2. Round one audition (behind curtain) (5 hrs.)
- Twenty students will play alternating their position as jury members and players
- Every student will prepare an assessment about their experience and aspects to improve
3. Workshop (2 hrs)
- Collective evaluation first round
- Stress/emotional management part II
4. Round two audition (without curtain) (5 hrs.)
- Twenty students will play alternating their position as jury members and players
- Every student will prepare an assessment about their experience and aspects to improve
5. Final assessment / Audition plan
Course details
teachers | David Peralta Alegre, Professional Certified Coach by International Coaching Federation and Principal second violins NedPhO. |
term | September-December 2024, or January-April 2025 |
requirements | Participants have considerable experience as ensemble players and show a clear intention to start a career as an orchestra musician. |
assessment | Assessment will be based on attendance, auditions, and final assessment |
credits | 5 |
related electives | Advanced Rhythm (for performers) |
History of the Orchestra | |
Patterns of Performance: The Neuroscience of Improving Experts |