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