Video Audition Directions

Directions for Preparing Audition Videos and Posting to YouTube

SUGGESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  • Preference is given to shorter pieces so that more students can perform. A very strong preference is given to pieces from the Suzuki repertoire.
  • Include only 1 piece per audition. Different instruments are heard by different people.
  • Please record solo performances only. Do NOT record a group performance with an attached note telling which one is your child. NO costumes, clown hats, etc.—they distort the performer’s appearance.
  • The home private teacher must view the recording and submit the teacher recommendation form that they have approved the audition. Plan your timing to allow your teacher to view recording at least 1 week before the deadline of April 10, 2015.   The link to the teacher recommendation form is visible to you when you submit the solo recital audition form.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to forward that link to your teacher.  Your solo recital application is complete when we have received the teacher recommendation form.

WHEN RECORDING:

  • Make sure the camera shows full view of the student’s body posture and clear view of their hands and instrument.
  • Use a tripod if at all possible for a steady video quality
  • Observe sounds in the background. Distracting noises such as a dog barking or a siren blaring make it difficult to hear the tone of the musician!
  • Check the quality of sound of the recording equipment. Make sure it accurately depicts the good tone and intonation of the student for a more successful entry.
  • View the light contrast. Check that the performer is not standing as a silhouette against a bright light or a window. Darker backgrounds provide a better contrast. Make sure the soloist can be seen, including hands!

BEFORE SENDING IN YOUR VIDEO/APPLICATION:

  • Preview the recording via YouTube using the URL address you have copy/pasted into the application form. Check for these criteria:
    Is there sound?
    Is there a picture?
    Are the notes & rhythms correct?
    Is the solo played without stopping?
  • Submit the audition form making sure to include the YouTube video address so that it is received along with the teacher recommendation form from your teacher by the deadline April 10, 2015.
  • Late auditions are not accepted.

Directions for YouTube Video Submission Directions

If you do not yet have a YouTube account, you will need to create one, starting with Part A below. If you already have a YouTube account, begin with Part B.

Part A: Create a YouTube Account:

  1. Go to http://www.youtube.com.
  2. Click “Sign In” in the upper right-hand corner of the page.
    • If you have a gmail account for your email the user name and password are the same as Goolge/gmail and YouTube are under the same account.
    • If you don’t have a Google/gmail account click on “Create an Account” in the center of the page. Follow the instructions to create your account.
  3. Once your account has been created click “Go to YouTube” and you will be all signed in. You can view your profile by clicking on the small person icon in the upper right hand corner. You are ready to proceed to Part B.

Part B: Upload a Video:

  1. Go to http://www.youtube.com/.
  2. Click on “Upload” in the upper right hand corner of the page. It may ask whose account to use and click on your account info.
  3. A screen will show up that has a large arrow and says “Select files to upload”.
    • Before choosing a file, click below on the small box and arrow that says “public”. Three options will drop down and you want to select “unlisted”. This is very important because it makes the videos you upload completely private unless you send someone the link to them. The videos are not accessible to the public.
  4. Click on the large arrow to select a video from your computer’s hard drive, or from a camera device connected to your computer.
    • Once the video has been selected YouTube shows the percentage of the video that has loaded and the screen will tell you “10 minutes remaining”. Uploading and later processing the videos can take a while.
  5. While the video loads, in the first small box, delete the automatic file name and type in the video title as follows: the last and first name of the student in addition to the number of the video and the total number of videos uploaded for each student. Example: “Smith, John 1 of 2 total videos.”
  6. In the “Description” box, please type the student’s last name, first name, the title of the piece being performed, the composer of the piece, and the date the video was recorded.
  7. Also include, in the description, the reason for which you are submitting a video (ex. “scholarship application 2015”, or “Solo Honors Recital Audition, 2015” etc.)
    • You do not need to add any Tags or select any Categories.
  8. Check again on the right side of the page that your video is “Unlisted” so that only people with the link can view your video.
  9. Once the upload is complete click the “Done” button on the right. Wait for YouTube to finish processing your video (can take a while).
  10. When your video has completed processing, click on the URL address for your video. The URL will be shown in blue text as a link on the page your video has uploaded to. Copy/paste the URL address onto the form you submit to the Colorado Suzuki Institute.
    • Tip: Be sure that you test the URL address to make sure that you have copied the address correctly onto your application forms submitted to the Instiute.
    • NOTE: We do not recommend that you record your video using a web camera, as the sound quality is not very good. Each uploaded video can be a maximum of 15 minutes and 2 GB in size. You can upload multiple videos, if necessary.