Trombone Studio
University of Delaware
AUDITION INFORMATION
Auditions for Admission for Fall 2021 will be held by video submission due to Coronavirus.
The UD School of Music website contains these useful links as well as additional contact information.
Audition Information
Trombone Audition Repertoire
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at trombone@udel.edu.
Selecting the right college for you
Some thoughts on the process by Dr. Bruce Tychinski
While applying and auditioning for colleges can seem as simple as sending in your forms and showing up to play for the faculty, finding the place you will live and study for the next several years is a major decision. Take your time. Here are some steps to the process that I recommend and some insights on how the process is viewed from this professor's viewpoint.
1. VISIT THE CAMPUS PRIOR TO YOUR AUDITION. Auditioning for a college music program at the undergraduate or graduate level can be very daunting. I recommend that you visit the campus for a lesson, meet some students, tour our facilities, hear some ensembles, attend a concert, and perhaps play along in trombone choir. If travel allows or if you are starting the process as a junior, consider multiple visits. The time you spend on campus will help you get a feel for whether this is a place that is right for you.
2.DEVELOP A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TROMBONE PROFESSOR. From the time student's first contact me, you are trying to play your best, not say "the wrong thing", and trying to find a tactful way to address scholarship money. First of all, be yourself. We both play the trombone and therefore, we are already somewhat alike. Secondly, realize that I am learning things about you too. Things like: Is this person polite? Do they address faculty in person and in writing with proper titles and respect? How would they fit in with my other students? Are they prompt in replying to emails or phone calls? How do they respond to suggestions in their playing during our lesson? I can't stress this enough...the more comfortable you are with the professor, the easier it is to address questions of scholarship and comparing schools with them. Professors are also a LOT more comfortable offering scholarship money to students that we feel more connected to as opposed to someone who just shows up on audition day.
3. EXPLORE THE CAMPUS AND THE AREA. The environment you will live in will have a major impact on your mental health, social development, and ability to maximize your potential. By exploring different campuses, you'll discover what attributes appeal to you most.
4. GET TO KNOW THE OTHER TROMBONE STUDENTS. The studio environment is a really important dynamic in college. Some schools have a lot of interaction, some very little. Here, the camaraderie among the studio members brings out a sense of encouragement, trust, and teamwork that helps everyone to become better musicians.The students in the trombone studio here at UD are very welcoming and can help show you around and give you the student's perspective on what life at UD as a music student is like.
5. TAKE TIME TO IMAGINE. When you are considering your options and especially on subsequent visits to your favorites, don't just walk to your destination. Take some time to pull in the surroundings and imagine yourself there. What would it be like to perform your junior recital? What would it be like to perform in trombone choir? Could I travel overseas with orchestra or wind ensemble? Following your dream is what you have told your parents, teachers, and friends as to why you want to pursue music. Just take time to do it.
6. THE AUDITION. Two of the scariest words musicians face on a regualr basis and a big part of your college selection process. If you've followed the steps above to this point, you'll be more relaxed and confident, making this experience much more positive.
7. MAKE YOUR CHOICE. When you get your options narrowed to the final two or three locations, the choice can be really difficult. Every professor knows this, because we all had to make a choice when we your age too. Many professors in a region are friends and colleagues, so we all know each other and even chat about students applying to both of our schools. Sometimes students pick us and sometimes they don't. You need to make the decision that is best for you and that is something every teacher should respect.
8. WHY UD? In addition to being the First State, Delaware also has several nicknames including Small Wonder and the Diamond State (deemed to be one of America's gems.) The University is also a hidden treasure with strong academics, excellent faculty and facilities, and a rich history. We are a moderate-sized music program in a large university. With a stunningly beautiful campus that borders the downtown, the University is an ideal location for collegiate music study. It is midway between Philadelphia and Baltimore - an hour or less by car or train and 2 hours to Washington D.C. and New York City. That is a whole lot of urban culture to explore while still retaining a college town experience to develop your musical craft.
Thanks for taking time to visit our site and I hope to meet you on campus soon.
Sincerely,
Dr. Bruce Tychinski
