PREPARING FOR THE FEDERATION AUDITION

The Federation Auditions is a great way to develop skills to function under pressure and learn to turn negative emotions into productive ones

The best way to prepare for the Federation auditions is long-term consistent practice (TIP#9). At the same time, the week before the Federation is a valuable time to make additions and changes to our practice routine as well.

Here are some suggestions for the practice routine:

• Make it a priority to practice your pieces slowly

• Give small concerts for friends and family

• Prepare comfortable clothes and shoes beforehand and rehearse with them

• Avoid making any last-minute changes

• Ask them to play their pieces at random times

Mental preparation:

• Focus on the fact that they already performed well by putting so much hard work and time into their instrument. This is only an opportunity for them to showcase their accomplishments with a judge.

• Prepare them for the idea that unexpected things might happen and let them know you will be there to help them with anything they need

• Remind them not to expect ‘perfection’ from their performance as most of the time, we are able to perform %70-80 of our usual home practice

• Communicate that developing skills to handle pressure takes a long time and multiple, frequent performances

• Talk about what to expect by drawing a picture of how things will look like and how the event will proceed

• Remind them to adjust or ask someone to adjust the piano bench for their height/comfort

Prior to the audition:

• Try to keep the audition day as normal as possible. At the same time, it is important to provide space for children to mentally prepare for their performance. Although it might not be ideal, we should consider forgoing other scheduled plans/activities before the performance.

• Our first inclination will be to play our pieces as many times as we can on the day of the recital. However that might cause over stimulation and create more stress.

• Make sure students bring all the books they will need for the performance

• Validate their feelings of nervousness and empower them with positive thoughts/words relating how much you believe they can handle it instead of saying ‘there is nothing to be nervous about etc.

• No matter how your students perform at the audition, shower them with positive words when it’s over. Tell them how proud you are of them, that you can tell they put forth their best effort, that their music made you feel happy.

• If any problems come up during the performance, this is not the time to address them. Focus on the positive parts of the experience. Your kid just did something that most adults are scared to do. Focus on what a big deal that is and don’t worry about trying to fix things.

• Plan to do something special after the audition to celebrate your student’s hard work.

• As adults, we know how nerve-wracking it can be to go in front of a crowd to do something. Don’t project your own fears onto your child.

• Please make sure to create a distraction-free environment during the performance (no tv, phone ringing, siblings, etc.)

• Please read the performance instructions carefully

Sit back, relax and enjoy your children making music and bring some tissues for tears of joy!

May you know you are making a difference, even if your child never tells you themselves.

We would be more than happy to answer any questions and provide more specific consultancy if needed.

Thank you for being a part of the PianoAlpharetta community!