One Former Camper's Memories Become a Legacy: - Reading ...

COLLEGE, continued from page 7
SUMMER BEFORE GRADUATION
Summer before senior year should be spent as much
as possible with your private instructor. Often a
student will go off to a festival and come back very
confused after hearing different assessments of the
college repertoire or his/her basic technique. This
is the time for nitty-gritty hard work in ironing out
all the lumps and bumps with the private instructor
who will be your mentor during the audition
process. Too many cooks spoil the stew at this point!
SENIOR YEAR
Senior year, the student should hit the ground
running with repertoire ready to perform. I hold
monthly master classes where students perform
their complete programs several times in front
of a “friendly but critical” audience of equally
accomplished cellists. They learn to become
comfortable with what is “ready” and learn what
is not yet to the level it must achieve to become
consistent under the glare of the stage lights. Many
students, including my own daughter when she was
working towards conservatory admissions, call up
retirement centers and nursing homes and arrange
to play free concerts for the residents. These recitals
are also wonderful preparation. You don’t want the
conservatory audition to be the first time you’ve
played the program or the first time you’ve tried out
a memorized piece!
In the fall of the senior year, the students should
make second visits to the now handful of schools
on their lists and try to see the teachers once more.
Make copious notes about anything the conservatory
teachers wish to hear differently at the winter
audition. Also make an appointment for your
prescreen recording for early November. That way,
if you are ill, or something doesn’t go quite right
with the first session, you still have time to make a
recording representative of your best efforts. Be sure
to use a professional recording engineer who has top
quality up-to-date equipment. The sound quality of
the recording is of utmost importance.
Make sure to complete and submit all application
materials early and ask private instructors and
others you would like to write recommendations
for you early as well. Be clear on whether the
recommendation letter goes directly to the school or
back to you in a sealed envelope to be sent with all
your admissions materials.
Continue to polish and perform the audition
repertoire in as many concert settings as possible.
By the time the actual auditions roll around in mid-
January through the end of February, you will be
playing your very best and will have done everything
to ensure success.
Editor’s Note: After hearing that Mrs. dePasquale was
coaching a local music student for college auditions,
RMF approached her about sharing her experience
with other students, parents and teachers through our
newsletter. Mrs. dePasquale graciously complied, and
the above article is sure to help a great deal - thank you!
Gloria dePasquale (New England Conservatory, B.M. and M.M.) has
been a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 1977. She serves
on the board of directors for the Philadelphia Orchestra, the League of
American Orchestras and the board of visitors for the New England
Conservatory. Mrs. dePasquale maintains a large private studio in Narbeth.
She is co-artistic director of the Philadelphia Region Youth String
Music and principal lower string coach of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra
and the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra.
CAMPAIGN 2009 • NEWS OF NOTE •