Presenting your sheet music, for dummies

Far too many times I have turned up to an audition to see other auditionees presenting the pianist with sloppy music. This is deeply uncool, both for the pianist and for you!

It makes it harder for the pianist to read, which may affect how well they can accompany you, and therefore how well they perform. Additionally, the pianist may be part of the audition panel so it's worth keeping them sweet by making sure your music is clear and well laid out. Here's what you ought to be doing when preparing your music for an audition.

Mark any cuts clearly in your music so the pianist knows exactly where to go from and too (and if you cut part of a song with a key/temp change, make sure to make a note of the new key or time signature). Also make sure that you have practiced this cut, rather than just singing along with the cast recording, or you'll be in for a nasty shock come audition time.  I would always advise practising a few times with a pianist anyway, just so you can get a feel for how it is performing with another person rather than a recording, and also to check that there are no wrong notes in your sheet music. It goes without saying that your music should be presented in the key you want it played in, and that you must take the time at the start of an audition to go through the tempo,dynamics and any cuts you would like with your accompanist.

When actually laying out music, I favour the concertina fold. You can achieve this by laying the pages of music (obviously page 1 next to 2 etc) flat next to each other so that the longest sides are just touching,  then taping the edges together on the back. This enables you to keep the pages either folded like a book, or to expand them concertina style.

Some of my finest work...

I've seen people try various other methods, but I'm not convinced by them- particularly being a pianist myself! I've seen people just bring loose pages...seriously don't do this. I saw a girl get told off in front of everyone at Mountview for doing this, it's such a pain for the pianist and so so easy to lose a page! Another popular method is a binder folder with the sheets in plastic wallets. I wouldn't recommend this either, for two reasons. 

1) You have to buy a tonne of plastic wallets

2) The shiny plastic wallets can reflect the lights, making it hard for the pianist to read the music

3) The plastic wallets are also far more awkward to turn than paper

However, you don't need to throw out your folder just yet! I have one, but it's where I keep all my audition music. Each song goes in an individual wallet, after I have concertina folded it, and I keep the music in an organised order so that I can find it quickly.

I hope these tips are helpful, auditions can feel like such a scary thing, but if you lay out your music well, you'll make the pianist's life that much easier, and hopefully get them on your side. Remember that they (and the rest of the panel) want you to do your best, so don't let a silly thing like poorly laid out sheet music get in the way!

Until next time!