Admission Blog: Classical & Orchestral Audition Tips

We asked David Chan, MSM violin faculty member and Head of our Orchestral Performance Program, to share tips and insights on what MSM applicants can expect at auditions, along with helpful audition tips from MSM students from our classical instrumental programs!

For more information about auditions, visit the Audition Information page, or contact the Office of Admission at admission@msmnyc.edu.

David Chan, MSM Head of Orchestral Performance Program, shares tips and insights on auditioning at MSM!

What advice can you offer for a successful audition?

Chan: “I think a successful Orchestral Performance Program audition has pretty much the same elements as any successful audition, which is good preparation, looking your best, sounding your best, just general presentation. But, I think for the Orchestral Performance Program in particular, it’s important to remember that the idea is that you’re one step away from taking auditions and winning them for the professional orchestral world. So, put yourself in that mindset — “I’m taking an audition for school, but it’s preparation for taking an audition for a job.”

What are you looking for in an audition?

Chan: “I think when people audition they are often preoccupied with technical aspects, such as ‘do I do this, do I do that?’ I think the most important thing, because we want to assume that talented people have a high level of technical accomplishment already, is to say something. Make your music say something — don’t just come and be correct, don’t just come and play the notes. Say something with your music.”

“Put yourself in that mindset — “I’m taking an audition for school, but it’s preparation for taking an audition for a job.”

David Chan, Head of Orchestral Performance Program

Advice from MSM Students:

Hannie McGarity (MM '23 Violin)

“My best tip for an audition is to do everything you can to feel confident and trusting in yourself! Tell yourself ‘you can do this’ in the mirror, wear something that makes you feel great, warm up slowly and surely, and walk into the audition room knowing how lucky MSM would be to have you next year.”
Blue Shelton (BM '25 Flute)

“I have two tips that I used when auditioning that really helped me prepare. First, you have to remember that when you are auditioning, you are also investing your own time into finding the school and teacher that will work best for you. It personally helped me to think about it like I’m also holding auditions to see who I want to work with. The second tip goes hand in hand with the first: you should try to get trial lessons with as many teachers as you can. It is very important to understand the teaching styles of the different faculty but also equally as important to find out which style best suits you. That way you can determine what school caters to your needs the most and allows you to thrive in that environment.”
Themba Pieterse (BM '25 Trumpet)

“My biggest fear was messing up and cracking a note. I thought that every little crack would ruin my chances of being accepted, but that couldn’t have been any farther from the truth. The faculty are looking for people who love music and are excited to learn more. They just want to see who you are both on and off your instrument. My advice would be to have fun and try to fall in love with your audition performance. The more you love the music you’re playing the more fun it will be for the audience to listen! I was one of the tour guides during audition week last year, and I came up with a small saying, ‘If you love music, and you love what you do…they will love you!’ So good luck, have fun, and fall in love!”