Tag Archive for: drums

What you need to know about music school auditions.

Music school auditions involve many steps and lots of preparation. Below you’ll find a general overview of the music school application and audition processes.

We also spoke to our music educators who attended music schools and are familiar with auditions, so keep an eye out for more blog posts where they’ll share their insights and personal experience!


What to Expect

Most music schools require you to complete and submit general school applications, which may include the common application. You’ll also submit a portfolio showcasing your areas of interest and artistic strengths. In your portfolio, you might also be asked to submit supplementary materials, like a personal statement, essays, transcripts, and a résumé.

Depending on the school and their application process, you might have to wait to pass a “pre-screen” where they review your portfolio and application before you are invited to audition. Other schools will have you schedule your audition when you submit your application, or shortly after. Some schools may also require an in-person interview.


The Music School Audition

Auditions may differ from school to school, so pay attention to specific repertoire requirements like:

  • Minimum performance length
  • Number of works that must be performed
  • If you must include different styles and what those are
  • The mode of the audition: in-person or virtual
  • Whether the audition requires an improvisation component
  • If you will be tested on sightreading
  • If you will be tested on music theory


Advice From Our Educators on Nailing Your Music School Audition

  • Becoming a well-rounded and versatile musician is key for gaining admission to music school
  • Make sure the school is a good fit for you, not just that it’s good on paper
  • Get started early and stay organized with your applications
  • Understand that you will get out of music school what you put into it

 

Hodis Learning and Music educators attended music schools such as USC Thornton School of MusicBerklee College of Music, and Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Keep an eye out for upcoming blog posts where they’ll share their experience and advice for music school auditions! And if you’re interested in booking a session to prepare for your audition, you can do so here.

Hodis Learning & Music jazz trio at the eclectic music festival

Come see our musicians perform at the Eclectic Music Festival on April 30 at 8:45PM!

Our lineup:

  • Tim Fenton (bass)
  • Deen Anbar (guitar)
  • Lauren Ellis (drums)

Hodis Learning & Music representatives will be at the event to answer questions and hand out informational materials.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Why you should take music lessons. Photo of student playing piano.

Music is an integral part of our business practice at HLM– after all, we are Hodis Learning & Music. If you think music lessons seem out of reach or unrelated to you, you might want to reconsider. Music lessons aren’t just for kids, they aren’t just for people who are already musically talented, and learning to play an instrument can provide lots of benefits that you might not think of. Read on to discover why you should take music lessons!


Music Lessons Offer Valuable Time Away from Your Screens

We all know that with virtual classes and work, we’re spending more time than ever looking at a computer, tablet or phone screen. It doesn’t help that our leisure time is often spent staring at those same screens to binge episodes of a show or scroll through social media. Learning a musical instrument gives our eyes and head a break from the screen staring.


They Challenge You to Learn in a New Way

Along those same lines, we spend so much of our time learning and gaining information passively through listening, watching, reading (often through a screen). Learning kinesthetically through touching, moving, strumming challenges our brain for the better.


They Can Be a Source of Confidence

Learning how to play an instrument or improving your skills on an instrument can be a tremendous source of confidence. Think about it: you’re committing to regularly practicing, challenging yourself, paying with your money and your time, to learn a new skill. When you look at where you are after a month, three months, or a year of practicing, you’ll be at a completely different level than when you started, which is an exciting and satisfying feeling! That feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment can carry into other areas of your life and help you feel more confident all around.


Music Can Be a Way to Connect Socially:

Even if it’s just through the one-on-one interaction you have with your music educator, music lessons can lead to great social opportunities. You might find yourself interested in discovering new genres, which might lead to new friends or attending new concerts. Maybe you join a music group or you just find friends who you can jam with at home. Music is sure to bring people together in a fun way!

Whatever your reason is for considering music lessons, we want you to have the best education possible. That’s why we have expert music teachers on staff who can teach students of all ages and skill levels! Seriously, check out our awesome guitar, bass, drum, and voice instructors and you’ll see the talent on our staff! And sign up for your first music lesson at Hodis Learning & Music here!

Ben is a drums teacher at Hodis Learning & Music

Ben P. is our new expert drum educator! He received his Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Texas at Arlington. Ben also teaches beginning piano and guitar. Ben has 20 years of experience performing drums. He toured with the Nightowls and performed at the Hollywood Bowl with Burna Boy. Ben also toured Internationally with Postmodern Jukebox on Deck. Whether you are a beginner or looking to finetune your skills to prepare for a career in music, Ben is the teacher you need!

 

Check Out Ben’s Incredible Talent