Peabody
Institute - Johns Hopkins University
Voice Audition Information
Orchestral Conducting
Pre-screening
is done by video uploaded to the application. The recordings should consist of
3-4 excerpts, each 2-3 minutes in length, of contrasting standard repertoire
demonstrating a variety of styles and tempi. The camera should be placed at the
back of the orchestra with the focus on the front of the conductor. A full-size
orchestra is not required; a quintet with piano would suffice, for example.
Appropriate dress is expected. If you pass the pre-screening, you will be
invited to audition with orchestra at Peabody. Details, including repertoire,
will not be available until that time.
Wind Conducting
Video guidelines for applicants
- The conductor should be recorded from the
front so that his/her eyes, face, hands, gestures and posture are all
clearly seen. Please no videos filmed from the conductor’s back.
- The subject should be shown rehearsing for
part of the video and performing for the remainder. Suggested
allocation: 1/2 rehearsal, 1/2 performance. The performance component
should be just that, a complete run of a composition or movement.
- The chosen excerpts should include a variety
of musical styles as well as some technically challenging passages.
- The video should be accompanied by a
word document showing the conductor’s name, the repertoire, the date and
location of the selected rehearsals and performances and the ensembles
conducted. A brief description of the type of ensemble (e.g. student,
community, semi-professional, workshop, etc.) should be included. For the
rehearsal portion of the recording, please include where the recording was
made in the rehearsal sequence. For example, this was the third rehearsal in
a sequence of six rehearsals.
- Lighting should be adequate and the
microphone should optimally be placed in front of the ensemble, if
possible, in order to get a good sense of the overall sound of the
ensemble. Ideally, a separate microphone should be used, rather than the
built-in microphone on the video camera. For the rehearsal component of
the recording, the microphone should be place near the podium so that the
rehearsing conductor’s comments and instructions are clearly heard.
- Total length of video: 15-20 minutes
recommended; 30 minutes maximum.
- The video should be from recent conducting
work (within the past two years).
Updated on 09/15/2018