1. Why audition?
Auditions are for us to select members to perform for NUSPE's concerts. They are not compulsory if you simply wish to join us as a member.
2. Who are we looking for?
If you are a fervent piano lover who has a classical music background and are passionate to perform with us, then we want you!
(If you are a pop/jazz pianist, there are other music groups in NUS more suited for you.)
3. What is the commitment required for performers?
A typical year would have 3-4 concerts, including our annual concert, Touch, held in March/April every year. For a list of our performances, click here. In addition, we have weekly sessions on Friday (6.30-7.30pm) that are required to be attended by all members.
- Private solo practice, and with your partner(s) takes up 1-2 hours per week. This generally increases as we push nearer to concert date.
- Concert rehearsals usually take up the previous 2 evenings before the concert.
- Weekly coaching by our Music Director Mr Timothy Ku takes up 20 mins per item. Coaching typically takes place every Friday afternoon between 3-6pm. We require our performers to be not only present for coaching but also be prepared i.e. learn all the notes, rhythm.
Ensemble playing are a first for many of our performers, thus it requires more commitment and effort to get used to your partner and the cooperate nature of ensemble playing.
Being a performing member of NUSPE entails commitment and we expect each performer to be responsible for his/her own item. As practicing, rehearsing and attending weekly sessions requires a substantial amount of time, we discourage performers to take up too many additional commitments in school.
Performers who do not play up to standard and/or have behavioural problems (e.g treat coaching as sufficient practice, not submitting synopsis of concert piece on time) will be pulled out of a performance.
2. Who are we looking for?
If you are a fervent piano lover who has a classical music background and are passionate to perform with us, then we want you!
(If you are a pop/jazz pianist, there are other music groups in NUS more suited for you.)
3. What is the commitment required for performers?
A typical year would have 3-4 concerts, including our annual concert, Touch, held in March/April every year. For a list of our performances, click here. In addition, we have weekly sessions on Friday (6.30-7.30pm) that are required to be attended by all members.
- Private solo practice, and with your partner(s) takes up 1-2 hours per week. This generally increases as we push nearer to concert date.
- Concert rehearsals usually take up the previous 2 evenings before the concert.
- Weekly coaching by our Music Director Mr Timothy Ku takes up 20 mins per item. Coaching typically takes place every Friday afternoon between 3-6pm. We require our performers to be not only present for coaching but also be prepared i.e. learn all the notes, rhythm.
Ensemble playing are a first for many of our performers, thus it requires more commitment and effort to get used to your partner and the cooperate nature of ensemble playing.
Being a performing member of NUSPE entails commitment and we expect each performer to be responsible for his/her own item. As practicing, rehearsing and attending weekly sessions requires a substantial amount of time, we discourage performers to take up too many additional commitments in school.
Performers who do not play up to standard and/or have behavioural problems (e.g treat coaching as sufficient practice, not submitting synopsis of concert piece on time) will be pulled out of a performance.
In addition to learning the current piece, performers may be required to maintain the piece performed most recently in case of ad-hoc events.
Performers who are not accepted for this year’s audition are welcome to reapply next year, we believe one year is plenty of time for one to improve.
4. Will I still get a chance to perform if I am not taken in as a performer?
Of course! We organize Concertino, an internal concert that all members may sign up to perform for. Concertinos are held every semester and you are open to perform anything as long as the piece involves a piano. The possibilities are endless: solo, duet, duo, 6-hands, 8-hands, violin and voice pieces are all welcome!
5. What will I be required to play for the Auditions?
Performers who are not accepted for this year’s audition are welcome to reapply next year, we believe one year is plenty of time for one to improve.
4. Will I still get a chance to perform if I am not taken in as a performer?
Of course! We organize Concertino, an internal concert that all members may sign up to perform for. Concertinos are held every semester and you are open to perform anything as long as the piece involves a piano. The possibilities are endless: solo, duet, duo, 6-hands, 8-hands, violin and voice pieces are all welcome!
5. What will I be required to play for the Auditions?
TWO pieces:
- One set piece. This will be determined about 2 weeks before the audition, so wait for it!
- One own-choice piece: 2-3 mins max. You can play any section of any piece (you can start and end anywhere).
For those with duet/duo experience, you can opt to play a 4/6/8 hands for your choice piece.
Please note that you do not have to memorize your pieces!
Prepare something that A) you're comfortable with and confident of carrying off well and B) You feel is most representative of your musical abilities. Exam pieces are fine. We assume that you have actually practised, so any sight reading you do will be at your own peril.
Note: We strongly advise that you play a classical piece to ensure equal and fair judging for all auditionees. We are, a classical music group after all, and mostly play classical music. However, should you wish to play a non-classical piece that you really like, by all means do so, but note that it will be at your own peril.
6. When will the results be out?
Results will be released via email and through the blog a few days after auditions. We will provide feedback only by request.
7. I didn’t take graded examinations, is that okay?
Our auditions are based on your qualities; while graded examinations are a nice bonus we do not base our selections on your grade level.
Prepare something that A) you're comfortable with and confident of carrying off well and B) You feel is most representative of your musical abilities. Exam pieces are fine. We assume that you have actually practised, so any sight reading you do will be at your own peril.
Note: We strongly advise that you play a classical piece to ensure equal and fair judging for all auditionees. We are, a classical music group after all, and mostly play classical music. However, should you wish to play a non-classical piece that you really like, by all means do so, but note that it will be at your own peril.
6. When will the results be out?
Results will be released via email and through the blog a few days after auditions. We will provide feedback only by request.
7. I didn’t take graded examinations, is that okay?
Our auditions are based on your qualities; while graded examinations are a nice bonus we do not base our selections on your grade level.
Just because someone holds a high-level cert, doesn't necessarily mean they are guaranteed a place as a performer. Your "golden ticket" to performing with us is really how well you perform at the audition itself.
We welcome anyone of any grade to audition - our judges will give you their full attention during your 10-minute showcase. Just do your best!
8. What are my chances of getting in / How many performers do you take in every year?
The number of performers we take in depends on A) how many performers we lose to graduation and b) how many auditionees we feel have the potential for collaborative performing.
On an average, NUSPE takes in around 13-15 performers each audition.
9. I’m a foreign student living on campus, are there pianos for me to practice on before the audition?
Please email us at nus.pianoensemble@gmail.com and we will try to arrange practice slots for you.
10. What happens if I can’t make it for auditions on Aug 21 or 23?
Too bad. You may now assume the fetal position.
If your schedule for is so packed that you absolutely cannot find time for a 15min audition slot, we suggest you reconsider your ability to commit as a performer in the long run. NUSPE does not take kindly to performers who do not commit. If you reeeeaaaalllly cannot make it during these times and have a valid reason, let us know via email asap.
11. I missed the Welcome Tea / needed time to think, how else can I sign up?
Fear not, just email us using the address below, and we will attend to you ASAP :)
If you have further questions which have not been addressed in this FAQ, please e-mail us at nus.pianoensemble@gmail.com, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can (:
// // //
