Objective:

Students will learn that performing music is about more than just playing or singing the right notes — it’s about sharing emotions and telling a story. They will prepare a short solo that shows both their skills and their feelings through music.

Assignment Instructions:Make Your Music Speak: Sharing Your Story

Music isn’t just about the right notes — it’s about making people feel something. Your job is to choose a solo piece and practice it so you can share not just the music, but the feeling behind it.

1. Pick Your Piece
   • Choose a solo piece you enjoy and feel comfortable playing or singing.
   • Make sure it’s a piece you can perform well — no need to pick the hardest song!
2. Learn About Your Music
   • Find out who wrote your piece and what kind of music it is (happy, sad, exciting, peaceful?).
   • Write 3–4 sentences about what you think the piece is about or how it makes you feel.
3. Plan Your Performance
   • Think about how you can show the feeling of the music — through dynamics, tempo, or articulation.
   • Write down 2–3 ideas for how you will make the audience feel the mood of your piece.
4. Perform for the Class
   • You will perform your piece for your classmates.
   • Remember: We aren’t just listening for the notes — we want to feel the music!
5. Reflection
   • After your performance, write a short paragraph (5–6 sentences) about:
   • What you liked about your performance
   • What feeling you tried to share
   • What you would try to do even better next time

🎵 Performance Rubric: "Making Music Speak"

📈 Grading Scale:
• A (90–100%): 14–16 points
• B (80–89%): 12–13 points
• C (70–79%): 10–11 points
• D (60–69%): 8–9 points
• F (<60%): 0–7 points

Teaching Moment for High School Teacher

Objective:
Students will understand that successful audition solos require more than technical proficiency; they must demonstrate personal musical expression to create a memorable and moving performance. Students will apply this understanding by evaluating and preparing a solo that highlights their best musical abilities and emotional connection to the piece.

Assignment: More Than the Notes: Crafting Your Audition Moment

Instructions:

1. Select Your Solo:
   • Choose a piece that showcases your strengths and is within your technical reach.
   • Consider the emotional story or mood—why this piece matters to you personally.
2. Research the Music:
   • Write a paragraph about the piece’s historical context and stylistic period (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, 20th/21st century).
   • List key musical elements (dynamics, phrasing, tempo changes) that support expression.
3. Craft Your Performance Plan:
   • Write 6–8 sentences describing how you’ll express the emotion/story of the piece.
   • Be specific about your choices in dynamics, tempo, tone, and phrasing.
4. Practice & Perform:
   • Rehearse with your emotional goals in mind.
   • Perform live in class or submit a recorded audition.
   • Your goal: not just accuracy—but emotional impact.
5. Self-Reflection (1 page):
   • What did you feel while performing?
   • How do you think your audience responded?
   • What would you improve to enhance emotional connection next time?

🎼 Rubric: “Creating a Moment: Solo Performance Evaluation” (20 Points)

Criteria	Excellent (4)	Good (3)	Developing (2)	Needs Improvement (1)
Technical Accuracy	Nearly flawless notes, rhythms, intonation	Minor errors; generally accurate	Frequent errors affecting flow	Major errors; performance suffers
Musical Expression	Highly expressive; emotionally powerful	Mostly expressive; meaningful at moments	Inconsistent expression	Little or no emotional impact
Preparation & Research	Detailed history and strong performance plan	Good research; mostly clear plan	Limited research or vague plan	Minimal research or unclear intentions
Audience Connection	Created a memorable moment	Some audience connection	Limited engagement	No audience impact
Self-Reflection	Insightful, honest, and detailed	Good reflection; some depth	Basic or surface-level	Lacks detail or reflection

🎯 Grading Scale:
A (90–100%): 18–20 points
B (80–89%): 16–17 points
C (70–79%): 14–15 points
D (60–69%): 12–13 points
F (<60%): 0–11 points

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Own the Stage: Why Building Audition Skills Starts Now

Dear Parents,

As a music teacher, one of the greatest joys is seeing students grow — not just as performers, but as confident young people who learn the value of hard work, creativity, and self-expression.

Right now, your child may be learning their first solos or getting ready for school performances. It’s a wonderful time to start building skills that can open many doors in high school and beyond — and it all starts with preparing the right way.

I’d love to recommend an article for you to read:
“Own the Stage: How to Nail Your College Audition Solo” — now available on Accoladi.com.

Even though college may feel far away, the good habits your child builds now will set them up for success later!

Start Early, Grow Steady

The students who do best in high school music programs — and even earn scholarships for college — usually start early. They:

• Pick solo pieces they love and practice them with care.
• Perform at Solo and Ensemble Festivals for feedback and ratings.
• Slowly build a list of solos they can perform with confidence.

It’s never too early to start thinking about good practice habits and loving the journey of making music!

Making Memory Work Easier

As students grow, many will need to perform music from memory — without looking at the sheet music. This may sound scary at first, but there are tricks to make it easier:

• Small Steps: Memorize one little section at a time.
• Practice Backward: Try memorizing the end of the piece first and work your way to the beginning — that way they always know what’s coming next!
• Mental Practice: Have your child "play" the music in their head or silently sing through it when they’re away from their instrument.

Try a Practice Performance

One way to build confidence is to let your child perform for family and friends at home — a simple “concert” in your living room or kitchen. Even recording themselves and watching later can help them feel more prepared.

These practice performances teach them how to stay calm, recover from mistakes, and shine with confidence.

What Music Teachers Love to See

• A good attitude and willingness to try
• Steady practice and patience
• The courage to share their music with others

Final Thought

Learning an instrument is about more than just notes — it’s about building confidence, creativity, and character. The work your child puts in now will help them not just in music, but in every part of their future.

Please take a few minutes to read the full article "Own the Stage: How to Nail Your College Audition Solo" at Accoladi.com. It’s never too early to dream big — and it all starts with small, steady steps.

Sincerely,

_____________________________________________________
Director’s Name and Position

_____________________________________________________
School Name

Helping Your Student Own the Stage: A Guide for Parents

Dear Parents,

Every spring, I watch as another group of talented students prepares to step onto a stage — not just to perform, but to introduce themselves to the future they’ve worked so hard to build. College music auditions are some of the most exciting (and nerve-wracking) moments in a young musician’s journey.

That’s why I want to share an article with you that every parent of a music student should read: "Own the Stage: How to Nail Your College Audition Solo" — now available on Accoladi.com. Yes, freshman and sophomore parents — this is a must-read for you as well.

This article beautifully captures what I’ve seen time and again: the students who succeed are not necessarily the ones who play the fastest or sing the highest — they are the ones who connect with their audience. Auditions aren’t won by perfection; they’re won by heart.

The Power of a Long-Term Plan

In my experience, the students who have the most success in their college auditions don’t wait until senior year to start preparing. They begin as early as freshman year by thoughtfully building a solo repertoire list — a list that will grow, evolve, and ultimately serve as the foundation of their college audition program — and they work a plan.

Here’s how the best students I’ve worked with do it:

• Freshman Year: Begin selecting solos to build a repertoire list, aiming for seven pieces across different musical periods and styles. Choose one to polish and perform at State Solo and Ensemble Festival.
• Sophomore Year: Add two more solo pieces and perform both at Solo and Ensemble. Begin preparing a multi-movement concerto or sonata as the future centerpiece.
• Junior Year: Work intensively on four additional solos, prioritize the concerto or sonata, and perform two more solos for ratings. Maintain readiness on previously performed solos. (Let me share: auditions and scholarships are won during the junior year.)
• Senior Year: Refine — not scramble. The work has already been done.

Why Memory Matters

Many top-tier conservatories, like Juilliard, require audition solos be performed from memory — a task that can seem daunting without the right approach. Encourage your student to:

• Start early, breaking the piece into small, manageable sections.
• Practice from memory regularly — not just at the end of practice sessions.
• Mentally visualize the performance without the instrument — a proven confidence booster.

Here’s a trick I learned from my own college studio instructor — and it’s one I recommend to my students today: Start memorizing the piece from the end and work backward toward the beginning. This way, every time your child reaches a new section, they already know exactly what’s coming next. It builds incredible confidence during a performance because the ending — often the hardest part to finish strong — is already rock solid.

This "backward memorization" method can feel unusual at first, but it’s a powerful tool. You might even join their practice sessions with them at home, encouraging them to take small sections in reverse order. It really works!

I’ve attached a “Memory Tips for Students” printable so you can hang on your fridge — it’s a great daily reminder for your young musician as they work toward their goal.

The Secret Weapon: Mock Auditions

One of the most effective ways to prepare is through mock auditions — simulating the real thing:

• Have them perform for family, friends, or classmates.
• Recreate the environment — walk in, announce their name and piece, and perform.
• Record the audition and watch it together to spot areas for improvement.

Mock auditions help normalize nerves, sharpen presentation skills, and increase poise under pressure.

What Recruiters Love to See

• Technical foundation: solid rhythm, intonation, and tone.
• Musicality: expressive phrasing, emotional connection.
• Poise: confident presence and calm recovery from mistakes.

Final Words

Auditions are about more than impressing a panel — they’re about creating a moment. The best performances stay with the judges not because they were perfect, but because they were real, honest, and moving.

As the article wisely says: “Own your moment. That’s how you win auditions — and hearts.”

Please read the full article at Accoladi.com. It’s a guide for your student — and for you. Let’s keep cheering them on — one note, one solo, one moment at a time.

Sincerely,

________________________________________________
Director’s Name and Position

_________________________________________________
School Name

🎵 Memory Tips for Students Preparing for Auditions 🎵

(Print this and put it on your fridge!)

• ✅ Start early — don’t wait until the last minute to memorize.
• ✅ Break it up — memorize in small sections, not all at once.
• ✅ Use backward memorization — start at the end of the piece and work toward the beginning.
• ✅ Practice mentally — try “playing” the music in your head without your instrument or singing it silently.
• ✅ Test yourself — perform from memory for family, friends, or even your pet!
• ✅ Stay consistent — practice memorizing a little every day instead of cramming.
• ✅ Stay calm — If you forget a note or phrase, breathe and find your way back. Judges care more about your recovery than your mistake.

🎯 Remember: Practice doesn’t make perfect — practice makes permanent!