By Katherine Evans, Manager of Admissions
Greetings! I’m so pleased to have seen so many application files arrive over the last several weeks. This is an exciting time of year for us because we can look forward to hearing your auditions very soon!
Recorded Auditions
Some of you may be very comfortable with recorded auditions, or this may be the very first audition recording you make. Each recording you make is a chance for you to gain more experience with the process and learn more about yourself as a musician. The recording guidelines for your BMUS audition can found on the apply page. We realize applicants find themselves in many different situations right now, and we understand you’re doing your best!
Is a collaborative pianist required for my audition recording?
Many of you have asked if a pianist is required for your audition. At the undergraduate level, working with a pianist is optional for all auditions except voice. For in-person voice auditions only, a collaborative pianist on staff is available for all auditions at no cost to applicants. If you are a voice applicant sending a recorded audition, it is allowable but not recommended to use a pre-recorded piano part.
Sight reading and scales: Many of the audition repertoire lists include sight reading and scales. There will not be any required sight reading for recorded auditions. If your required audition repertoire includes scales but doesn’t specify which, you may choose them yourself.
I’m choosing to send a video audition. How can I get acquainted with the School of Music?
We love hosting applicants at UBC — it’s not only a chance for you to experience our facilities and meet faculty and current students and to demonstrate the musical skills you’ve been working on, but also a chance for us to get to know our applicants a little better! But we know that travel can still be difficult and schedules are crazy! If you are planning a video audition, the faculty can learn about you through your application materials, recorded auditions and possibly a live remote interview at the discretion of faculty.
TBT: If you want a step-by-step, Go-Pro look at the buildings you will be in as a UBC Music student, watch our COVID-safety tours from 2 years ago: the Chan Centre (hosted by Drs. Taylor and Girard) and the Music Building (hosted by Peggy and me).
Here are a few tips for recording:
Please plan to introduce yourself and your repertoire as part of your recorded video.
This is a requirement for specific instruments (if so, the requirement will be listed with the audition repertoire for your instrument). It is suggested for all other applicants.
Planning Your Recording
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If you are recording in a venue other than your home, leave extra time to get there early. My personal advice? More than one day in advance, make a list of all the gear you need, including chargers and adapters, memory cards, etc. Bring extra batteries! #askmehowIknow
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Hydrate and make sure you bring something to eat during recording breaks.
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Follow these basic tips about camera placement and sound.
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If you are recording in a concert hall, find the place with the best sound and put your microphone there, then set the camera separately. But if you are recording in your home or at school where others might be practicing, bring the mic closer to you so that it will record direct sound and less ambient noise.
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Before recording your repertoire, record a minute of music: your loudest phrase and your softest phrase. Then listen back and make sure the mic levels are set so that you can hear your soft playing, but your loud playing is not distorted.
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When deciding on your distance from the camera, please choose a middle distance in which the faculty can see your posture and presentation clearly, i.e. not just your face, but not you as a speck on the stage either. 🙂
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Finally, when you’re ready: Take a deep breath, remember to think of the music, and have a good time! Your audience of faculty members is enthusiastic and ready to hear you play or sing your very best. They love to hear applicants and learn about their talent and potential.
Is there an interview process for applicants who send video auditions?
Applicants in both graduate and undergraduate programs may be contacted by admissions staff or directly by faculty in order to set up a live remote interview (usually on Zoom, but also on other platforms as necessary). If an interview is scheduled, it is as a substitute for the informal questions you might be asked by the faculty panel at an in-person audition. Faculty members might ask you about something you’ve written in your application essay, or about a piece of music you’ve chosen to perform… it’s a short opportunity for you all to get to know each other.
Questions or concerns?
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me at katherine.evans@ubc.ca.
Updated from Feb. 5th, 2021
