Auditions are super tough. They take a lot of preparation and courage, with no guarantee of success. It is easy to slip into thinking that the system is unfair, or that THEY won the job because they went to [enter prestigious school name here] and studied with so-and-so. It is fine to feel that way sometimes (I definitely do), but ultimately, it will not help you.

It is also dangerous to think that your life’s work is culminating in a particular audition (it’s not), or on the other hand, that there’s no way you’re going to get the job so it’s not a big deal.

Here are some things I try keep in mind when I’m feeling anxious or overwhelmed by an audition.

1. Remind myself that the fact that winning a job is super difficult is good. That means that the quality of flute playing as an art is very high.
2. Cherish compliments and words of wisdom from my teachers/mentors. I will read and reread their messages or listen to the recordings of my lessons when I need a boost. Or, I might realize it has been a while since I last saw them and send them an email to schedule a lesson!
3. Stay connected with flute friends. It is so awesome to have friends to chat with that really understand what I’m going through and the specialized challenges we face. It makes the journey feel less solitary and difficult, and reminds me that we are all striving for excellence together.
4. Remember that winning an orchestra audition is not the ultimate goal. Winning an audition is out of my control. The goal is to become the best flute player I can be, and to keep learning. Hopefully this means someday I will win a job, but even if I never did, going through this process will have made me a much better flutist and musician.
5. Flute playing is not my whole life. Being a flutist is a huge part of my identity, but I’m more than that, and so are you. We all have different facets of our life, and I think it’s important to nurture those other parts of ourselves. Maybe you love to draw, or run, or cook. I love to sew, to write, and spend time with my family and friends. An audition committee does not determine my worth as a human being, and they do not determine yours, either.

Share with me anything you do or think about to keep a positive mindset- I would love to add to this list!