Will I have time to warm up before the audition?
Yes. Once you have received your audition date and time, you are welcome to come early and warm up before your audition. Practice rooms are available. Please do not arrive more than 45 minutes before your scheduled audition time.

What if I need to reschedule or cancel my audition?
Please call Amanda Heathco at the AFA offices immediately at 713-522-9699 to reschedule your audition time. In most cases, conflicts can easily be rescheduled.

Can my son or daughter audition at their school?
AFA makes frequent recruiting visits to schools throughout the Houston and Beaumont areas and often conducts auditions during school days. Please contact AFA to find out if we have scheduled an audition date at your school. If no date has been scheduled, please speak to your orchestra, band or choral director about scheduling a time for AFA to visit your campus.

In 2008, AFA will also be conducting regional auditions in communities surrounding Houston. Please see the audition dates for complete information. Auditions are currently scheduled in Fort Bend County, Pasadena/South Houston, the Katy area and the Klein/Spring area.

Can my mother or father attend the audition with me?
Yes. Parents are welcome.

Do I need copies of the music for the adjudicators?
While it is often helpful for the adjudicators to see a copy of the audition music, it is by no means required.

Will there be an accompanist at the audition?
All instrumental auditions are heard without accompaniment. For the choral program, AFA will have an accompanist present on April 5, May 3 and May 10 only. Singers should try to audition on one of these three dates.

What is a chromatic scale?
A chromatic scale is to ascend and descend by half-steps from one note to the same note an octave higher. For example, if you started on C, a chromatic scale would be: C-C#-D-D#-E-F-F# etc. until you reach C an octave higher.

Do you want to hear scales ascending and descending?
Yes.

Can students play either Region or All-State audition excerpts for their AFA audition?
Yes.

How long does the audition last?
The audition itself lasts for roughly fifteen minutes. Typically, the adjudicator will speak with the student for a few moments so they can get to know you. After that, you will play your scales and then play the pieces your have prepared for the auditions. On rare occasions, an adjudicator may ask you to do a brief sight-reading exercise.

When will I find out if I've been accepted to AFA?
AFA will typically send a letter within a couple of weeks of the audition date, depending on when the audition date is. Please make sure your application contains a valid mailing address so that AFA is able to notify you about your status.

What should I do if I am running late to the audition or lost?
Please call 713-522-9699 and leave a voice mail with your telephone number. Though not at the location of the audition, someone will check voice mail frequently in case anyone needs help and will call back as soon as possible.