Orchestra Auditions Are a Lot Like the Olympics
When you are gearing up for an audition, you have a lot in common with athletes preparing for the Olympics. Musicians spend a lot of time thinking about technique, artistic imagination, and mental focus. But they tend to forget that auditions are extremely physical experiences.
This is the fifth and last part in my audition preparation series. To read the rest of the series, click here.
Pillar Five: Physical Preparation
Preparing yourself physically for an audition is the same as preparing yourself for the rest of your career. Here are some basics that you should always remember:
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
If something hurts, stop and analyze what you’re doing. While we all get tired from practicing, you should know the difference between pushing yourself to gain strength and actually doing damage.
Musicians often feel they need to practice hours and hours to prepare. But if you overdo it, you can set yourself back for weeks or even months by injuring yourself. Be aware of what hurts. Practice smarter and you will save yourself time and wear and tear on your body.
STAY IN OVERALL GOOD SHAPE
Part of physical preparation should also involve some form of working out: weight training, yoga, Pilates, running, etc. When we become more in touch with our bodies outside of the practice room, we can incorporate good posture and greater understanding of how to increase our endurance during those long Mahler symphonies.
Playing an instrument is a very physical endeavor and the more we see ourselves as athletes, the more we will respect our bodies.
NUTRITION
Become aware of what foods help calm you, give you strength, and give you energy. On an audition day, you may want to rethink that Snickers bar—the audition could run late and you may wind up playing when the sugar crash hits. Good nutrition in the weeks leading up to an audition can help strengthen your body so that you can be sure that your energy and mental sharpness are at their peak when you play.
HYDRATION
Water is crucial to keeping muscles and connective tissues functioning at their highest level. Just drink more, every day, and all day.
REST
Like an elite athlete, you need to schedule rest into your audition preparation. Good sleep helps to regenerate all sorts of things like cellular health, mental acuity, and enthusiasm. On a physical level, you need to let your muscles repair after long practice sessions. So when you’re finished with a good session, kick back and reward yourself. You deserve it!
HAVE FUN!
When you’re working hard towards a goal, it can often feel like that’s all there is to your life. But it’s important to remember that life continues after an audition and that you also need to incorporate fun and pleasure into your life.
Don’t feel guilty if you decide to take a day off and go to the beach. It’s an important piece of your audition preparation.
(While you’re at it, have an ice cream!)
Happy practicing!
gloria