Yes, it’s that time of year again: summer planning for the kids. For high schoolers interested in studying music, there are a lot of summer options that will allow them to prepare for college and build their music resume. Check out my “Summer and Pre-College” page. While the criteria vary, one thing all summer music programs have in common is an audition requirement. Here are some tips:
- Get the audition requirements for the program a couple of weeks before the deadline. Some schools have EXTREMELY detailed and specific instructions, and it may take some time to complete all the steps (esp. if you’re applying for financial aid).
- Tell your kid to be prepared to sight read or sing. Also, they should be prepared for questions about their music background, career goals, and reasons for wanting to pursue a music major in college one day.
- Ask if there will be any kind of music theory evaluation/test.
- Be prepared to include a letter of recommendation from your primary instrument instructor.
- Ask your kid to check that their sheet music is in the correct key and to be prepared to share copies.
- Jazz students should be prepared to improvise. Improvisation is a vital skill in jazz music.