Just a short one right off the top of my head that I learned from previous teachers:

You’re auditioning to study. That means you’re not expected to be perfect. The point of going to grad school is to improve your playing, so if it was perfect, what need would you have to study more? You’ll be fine. Don’t worry about where other candidates are, it doesn’t change your playing any.

Thanks guys!

I feel like I just had to vent out loud about it. I recorded myself today (I always make more random mistakes when I record so I thought I’d put myself in that situation just to see what happens) and it actually went not too bad so it calmed my nerves a bit.

Where I’m from, you go through 5, sometimes 6 years of ‘college’ before getting to the masters (CEGEP, which is kinda like a mandatory community college sort of, and then your 3-year bachelor, both of which are completely focused on your major with very little general education) so the bar is much higher to get into grad school, which is why I think I’m nervous…because I’m used to a different system in which grad studies are reserved for the very best of the very freakin best – I think grad studies are much more accessible in the US (which has pros and cons) and I’ll be fine.

At this point, nothing I will do will make me sound better 2 days prior to the audition so I really need to just chill out about it.

Dave – I remember when I was a kid and my piano teacher would get random people to come hear me play during my lessons prior to competitions and festivals…life was so much easier back then haha! I’m pretty sure it did help though! I will try that tomorrow

Ok – but this is for constructive criticism only! These are certainly not my proudest piano moments lol
I decided to upload the ones that seemed to be the ‘worst’ takes just to see what kind of critique those would attract – I want to anticipate the worst case scenario! (ps. I really need a new keyboard. This casio is not inspiring at all!)

This is for a collaborative keyboard program, so they wanted one jazz and two contrasting classical pieces.

[URL=http://www.zshare.net/audio/97097645b7f54287/]allthethingsyouare.mp3 – 2.23MB[/URL]

[URL=http://www.zshare.net/audio/970977200743a06c/]rachetude.mp3 – 2.54MB[/URL]

[URL=http://www.zshare.net/audio/97097805c2a47d36/]messiaenprelude.mp3 – 5.04MB[/URL]

Here’s a good bit of advice that always carried me through juries, auditions, etc. in music school. A well respected instructor of mine said to do things “Briskly, and with confidence.” Always keep those words in mind.

Walk in, smile, don’t dilly-dally, shake hands, be confident. Even if you screw up a little bit, just keep on playing. Don’t even flinch, or pause for a second. Just keep playing, and when you’re done, smile, and thank the faculty panel for their time.

Think of it this way – most people screw up a little bit in auditions. Now, out of those people, there will be two types – the nervous ones, and the confident ones. If you stay upbeat, and positive, they’ll recognize that you’re the type of person that is better to work with in those sorts of environments, making you a better candidate for their grad program.

Briskly, and with confidence!

PS – also, before you start playing, stop, relax, take a deep breath, and settle yourself. Let your mind and muscles relax.

I only got to download one track (All the Things You Are) because frankly, that site you used to host your tracks sucks. Sorry, I know that’s not your fault, but it’s a PITA.

More importantly, while I know zero about these kinds of auditions, I can say I thought it was a good performance and I liked it. That has to be worth something, right? ;-)

You’re over thinking it now. The audition is almost upon you and have no time left to alter your attitude to it greatly so I agree with the advice you have been given by others which is to take a deep breath, act quietly confident. You are not the finished article yet, that is why you are going on to study. So, they are not expecting the finished article. They expect nerves, they expect an understanding of the pieces you have to play, but necessarily a thorough one. You are still a vessel that is looking for more musical knowledge. Remember – you haven’t peaked yet. This is not the time. Go, play and mostly – enjoy. Its a great opportunity and we are all behind you.

Sorry to get back on so late. Just heard them, they sound quite good. I don’t know the piano rep that well, but I dug it, and the only thing I would have asked more for is a bit more dynamics. However, I’m sure the limitations of the Casio are making that difficult. I just wanted some of the bigs to be bigger.

As for the jazz tune, good choice of tunes! I see you like that Keith Jarret sound. One thing though, I would assume if they asked for one jazz tune, that they might have wanted something that swings a bit more. But that would be just an idea, and you’re not going against their wishes. But if I were listening, I’d like to see what you could do on something a little more up.

That being said, it all sounds great, and as for the Casio, I play a few gigs here and there with a local hot shot musician (and weird guy). He brings the same Casio keyboard you could buy at Wal-Mart to the gigs. You know, push a button, and one of those cheesy demos starts playing. Has less than 60 keys. He plugs it into his Mark Bass amp (he’s also one of the top bassists in the area), and he can make that piece-of-crap sound like a million bucks. I also remember a passage in Effortless Mastery where Werner was talking about a piano notorious for a metallic sound, but one player was able to make it sing. Plenty of the local greats play on student instruments around here, and you wouldn’t believe it if you heard them. The cornet player at the Disney gig I sub at plays on a $600 cornet…and he’s probably one of the top trad jazz players alive. In short, the Casio isn’t horrible, and you can make it sound the way you want.

Good luck!