In choral music, honor choir auditions are a common feature. However, students often prepare for these auditions by rehearsing extensively with others or utilizing a recorded track that features their part being sung or played. While these musical aids are beneficial in helping the student learn their part, overreliance on these resources can lead to negative effects by limiting the student’s ability to develop musical independence. As a result, the student becomes unable to perform the music independently without external support.
In an audition where only a portion (cut) of the music is performed, this lack of musical independence appears as incorrect pitches, compromised rhythmic integrity, and missed or poorly timed entrances. In extreme cases, the student never recovers after missing an entrance.
To prepare students for honor choir auditions, it is beneficial for teachers to encourage the following practice habits.
- Practice with the accompaniment only: Ensure students are rehearsing extensively on their own with only the accompaniment track.
- Limit musical support: When working individually with a student, avoid giving too much musical support for entrances or pitch. Require the student to demonstrate musical independence.
- Rehearse sample cuts: Provide students with sample cuts so they can practice entering somewhere other than the beginning.
- Count: Teach students to count rhythms and measures with confidence.
- Study the accompaniment: Instruct students to listen to and become familiar with the accompaniment track.
By encouraging and requiring musical independence, teachers can better prepare students for the unique challenges of the honor choir audition.
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