Wonderful. I'm impressed with your Cello rep. As unfamiliar with it as I am for orchestral/grad school auditions today, I truly appreciate those selections you posted. I was just listening to Boris Godunov, and keeping with the Russian trend, I may have to go listen to some of that Piotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky too.

When are your auditions coming up?

Late January and throughout February. Unfortunately I made my prescreening recordings really last-minute so I'm not sure I'll be invited to all the auditions (scheduled auditions with three schools so far).

Can't say I'm familiar with Boris Godunov, though I enjoy opera every so often -- going to see Madame Butterfly again sometime soon.

This post was edited by SaffasMissionary on Dec 19 2010 11:34pm

The coronation scene from Boris Godunov gives me chills every time I hear it. Mussorgsky was the man at what he did. Glad to see there is another classical lover on this forum.

Like other people said, play in front of family members and/or friends. Try not to stress too much over it as that has affected me in the past.

Cello players, for the win.

Use this frame of mind. You can only play as well as you can play. You can't play what other people are thinking of. As long as you find enjoyment in your own performance, then go up on stage and enjoy your performance. You're not going to get any better in the hours before the performance so it's pointless to do any last minute 'practicing.' If anything it'll give you more to worry about. A small warm up on the things you like to play the most is probably best. If you play what you're comfortable with just before the audition, you're likely to do it with ease and build some confidence.

Always think of what your playing, not what you think of what other people are thinking of your playing.

Too true.

Also, don't forget to tune with your pianist before you tune for the audition, if you are accompanied.