Rejection–an unpleasant word typically surrounded by a negative feeling. Rejection–an opportunity for growth. Nobody is free from dealing with rejection, and much of the musical community at USM is faced with it right now.
20 percent of music majors recently auditioned for a space to perform in the upcoming Honors recital and 15 percent of those students were subsequently rejected. That doesn’t even take into account the hard-working students who weren’t even nominated for the opportunity to audition. So, for all the future hopefuls, this is just a few tips from the experts.
Assistant Professor of Music J. Mark Scearce (people actually refer to him as “J. Mark”–he is, after all, from the Missourian south) served on the selection jury for the Honors recital. Scearce is in his second year teaching composition and theory at USM, and he also writes freelance for the Portland Phoenix. Scearce said rejection can be used as a positive tool to help set your resolve. “There’s more than just licking your wounds afterwards.”
Although there is no written set of criteria for the judges, there is an understanding that the material chosen is a huge factor for selection. Scearce said that at one point the three judges were deciding between one student who performed a piece below ability level perfectly and another who performed a piece above ability level imperfectly. The student who performed perfectly was the one chosen.
“An audition is not the place to experiment. It’s the place to be sure,” said Scearce. Confidence is another factor that is revealed almost immediately. “You know in a few number of notes if it’s a ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ or ‘maybe,'” he said. Those students who were able to command their nerves and their music were obvious choices for the recital.
Success in musical performances demands confidence onstage, and Scearce said auditions are part of that training. “You’re there to dazzle.”
The intent of the jury is to select a group of not only the best students but one that rounds out the recital as well.
“It’s a tremendous accolade of work done and done well,” Scearce said.