Music Composition Auditions and What to Expect

Learn the craft of composition.
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Here’s a bit about my journey:

Age 7: Inspired by a book about Mozart, I knew I wanted to become a composer.
Age 15: Joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Composer Fellowship Program, mentored by Steven Stucky.
Age 22: Earned my B.M. in Composition from USC, studying under Donald Crockett, Stephen Hartke, Frank Ticheli, and Bruce Broughton.
Age 24: Completed my M.M. at Juilliard under John Corigliano.
Age 29: Named Composer-in-Residence at the California Symphony.
Age 30: Graduated with a D.M.A. from Columbia University and joined their faculty.
Age 31: Premiered “Aysheen” with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Today, I have a growing catalog of over 50 compositions that have been performed in China, Brazil, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, South Korea, Austria, Sweden, Canada, and the United States. These works include pieces for orchestra, chamber ensemble, vocalists, soloists, and electronics.

It took me 25 years to get to where I am today. Loving music is not enough. It takes doing the work that no one sees in the hopes of attaining an outcome that is not guaranteed.

If you love to compose as much as I do, then you’ll never stop doing it.

Timestamps:

00:00 What goes into the audition?
00:57 Do your homework
01:17 Bring professional material
03:14 Body language
03:48 Mind what you say
04:54 Be prepared for certain questions
06:40 Prepare questions
07:42 What to wear
08:22 Bonus tip