How to Prepare for College Piano Auditions (Your COMPLETE Timeline)

[@jones2786]

Since prestigious schools have so many applicants who might be able to play complicated works already at a high level. Sometimes even if one get into a prestigious school and might be less advanced as their peers, they might have a higher chance of not being well-looked after. I think that is one of the aspects to be considered.

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Definitely important to consider, thank you for noting that! It is important for all teachers to keep an eye out for those students who might "fly under the radar" and those who still deserve just as much attention and support.

[@danielliang9266]

Thank you, this video was helpful in reassuring me to contact the Piano faculty directly. I decided quite late I want to do music and even then personal circumstances is preventing me from applying so a lot of deadlines have passed already. I also don't have much time to prepare (although I've been preparing most of the pieces already) so it's a confusing time, but I won't get answers until I contact them and see for myself, so thank you!

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Yes! Good luck! PS feel free to contact me if you're interested in learning more about studying with me in college

[@danielliang9266]

@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd I'd love to be able to, but sadly your university is far over my budget, even after financial aid. This seems to be the case for most universities in the US.

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

@@danielliang9266 We do offer significant academic and music scholarships in addition to financial aid, but I understand that "sticker price" is very high. Good luck to you in your studies!

[@BenZuzelski]

This is probably the best and most helpful information I have come across of, thank you. I do have a couple questions. First how many pieces should you prepare for the audition and is there a requirement of certain composers? Second, when you say memorized do you mean completely memorized with no sheet music in front of you?

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

I'm glad this was helpful to you! Universities that you're hoping to apply to and audition for usually should have their audition requirements posted online. As a general rule, most universities require a Bach prelude and fugue, classical period sonata, and a major romantic or 20th-century work. And yes, memorized generally means all pieces completely memorized with no music with you as you are performing. Hope this helps, and good luck!

[@Somanycolorsvintageandnot]

Thank you!!!

[@Somanycolorsvintageandnot]

I have a piano student who may want to major in music composition. Would he still audition for piano faculty?

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

It depends on the school's requirements. At our university, students who are interested in composition have to choose a major instrument to study and then also do an audition on that instrument. So, we do hear auditions for composition students who declare piano as their primary instrument. I think this is fairly typical. You should check the audition requirements under piano and also under the composition application guidelines for the schools you're looking at, and then if you can't find clarity (some websites are vague or confusing), just directly contact the composition faculty to ask them. Good luck!

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Download the free college audition timeline: thepianoprof.com/Timeline

[@yahyamhirsi]

Do you offer Graduate Assistantships in your university? I am a junior student majoring in Piano Performance and I am searching for schools to apply to for M.M. Performance

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Yes, we do! We have a MM in Performance and a MM in Piano Pedagogy, and we have GAs in both. My email is [e-mail] please get in touch so we can talk some more! 😊