There are several actions you can take to prepare yourself for the BIG MOMENT. Being prepared will help you do your best and feel less nervous.
Have your performance pieces in PEAK musical condition for the week prior to your performance day. Practicing at the last minute should not even be considered.
Have a nice relaxing dinner and get a good night’s sleep—at least 8 hours.
Plan to be at your performance EARLY, at least an hour.
Pianists, warm-up at home. Play your usual scale routine and another piece you like to play BUT NOT your pieces to be performed that day.
Wind players, do not drink caffeine or anything that might cause your mouth to dry up—only water. Have a light meal no later than three hours before the performance. Warm up at home for 30 minutes and then try to find a warm-up room at the performance venue. Play only your scale routine. NOT your performance pieces.
Dress “professionally”. LOOK LIKE A STAR! That usually means a Concert Black suit or dress. However, vocalists and soloists should wear comfortable but elegant clothes. Look and act confident, even if that is not how you feel.
When it comes time for your performance, acknowledge the judge (Say, “Hello” or smile and nod.) and introduce your accompanist, if you have one.
DO NOT RUSH to start performing. Take a couple breaths. Make certain you are ready to start. Since you have practiced, and feel prepared, you will do well, even if you do feel nervous. Nerves are a natural reaction. Just do your best! When you are finished playing, leave your flute up for just a second and take a breath; pianists should gracefully lift hands away from the piano and place them in your lap. Then turn and smile at the judge and stand, and bow. This shows you are confident about how you played. Stage presence can be a subtle influence on judging.
What if you mess up your audition or performance? Well . . . IT HAPPENS! Even to professionals. When performing, do not start your pieces over; if you make a mistake, continue on as if nothing has happened. The more experience you have in performing situations, the better you will be at handling nerves. Sometimes performances do not go as planned, no matter how well you have prepared! Learn from this experience to prepare for the next time!