By Macy Feemster/ reporter
TCC students interested in pursuing music studies can audition for entrance into music programs at area universities.
Many university auditions are held in February. In preparation for their auditions, students should assemble music selections that showcase their strengths as musicians and performers.
Students can find out about auditions by visiting the universities’ websites or attending their concerts.
TCC’s music programs offer recital labs that show students what it is like to perform for an audience. TCC also offers practice rooms for individual student use.
“Music students who practice regularly do far better than students who practice sporadically,” NE music department chair Karen Parsons said. “Recital lab teaches students how to approach the stage, deal with nerves and communicate with the audience. NE offers two recital lab opportunities per week for students committed to music courses on our campus.”
TCC music classes are also designed to help students. NW music associate professor Richard Vandewalker said the content of each music class prepares them for auditions.
Music applied courses (MUAP) are private lessons that help prepare students for their auditions.
“Their private lesson instructor, accompanist and myself work with them to prepare them for their auditions during their lessons and through extra rehearsals,” Vandewalker said.
Students planning to audition must have experience collaborating with an unfamiliar accompanist because they will have little, if any, time prior to the university audition to work with their designated accompanists.
According to TCC music teachers, students need to know how to communicate their audition pieces to several judges in a meaningful and convincing way.
Attending live performances of respected performers can provide motivation for students to practice their music pieces for their auditions. All TCC campuses offer free concerts every year. Information about the upcoming concerts is found in the music buildings or The Collegian’s entertainment calendar.
Universities holding auditions for music students such as Texas Wesleyan University, Texas Woman’s University, Baylor University and the University of Texas at Arlington.
NE music instructor Stan Paschal has students auditioning for universities like Rice, Sam Houston and Southern Methodist University.
Last spring, TCC student Abraham Lopez, a guitarist, earned a full scholarship to Southern Methodist University. TCC also had students earn full scholarships to the University of California at Berkeley and to Texas Christian University.
Students who audition receive their results from the universities within a few weeks after the initial audition.
