Posted by Bridget:
I have a newer high school student in my studio who is a very gifted horn and trumpet player, and just picked up the piano with me within the last year. He is a senior this year, and beginning to prepare for his college auditions. Obviously his main focus would be horn, but as I'm sure most of you know, almost every college requires piano as a secondary instrument. His goal of learning in high school was originally to give himself a head start in school, but at his last lesson he mentioned that he has the opportunity to audition on the piano as well, likely to place him in the appropriate piano class for his skill level. He has only been in lessons for less than a year, and although he understands everything and is progressing quickly, he is still very much a beginner. Do you have any suggestions of what to work on for an audition piece? Most of the pieces at his level are simplified versions of the classics, which I'm not sure would be wise to audition on, or what I have in my library are "kiddy" songs. I'm looking for a piece that sounds mature enough to work for his audition without calling a raised eyebrow at his selection from the faculty. Thanks!
I have a newer high school student in my studio who is a very gifted horn and trumpet player, and just picked up the piano with me within the last year. He is a senior this year, and beginning to prepare for his college auditions. Obviously his main focus would be horn, but as I'm sure most of you know, almost every college requires piano as a secondary instrument. His goal of learning in high school was originally to give himself a head start in school, but at his last lesson he mentioned that he has the opportunity to audition on the piano as well, likely to place him in the appropriate piano class for his skill level. He has only been in lessons for less than a year, and although he understands everything and is progressing quickly, he is still very much a beginner. Do you have any suggestions of what to work on for an audition piece? Most of the pieces at his level are simplified versions of the classics, which I'm not sure would be wise to audition on, or what I have in my library are "kiddy" songs. I'm looking for a piece that sounds mature enough to work for his audition without calling a raised eyebrow at his selection from the faculty. Thanks!