We encourage you to attend a scheduled audition, but AFA also makes frequent recruiting visits to schools throughout the Houston area and occasionally 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.

Can my mother or father attend the audition with me?
Yes. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend-we would love to meet you! However, in most cases, parents are not present during the actual audition.

Do I need copies of my music for the judges?
While it is often helpful for the adjudicators to see a copy of the audition music, it is by no means required. Vocalists, however, are required to bring piano music for the AFA accompanist.

Will there be an accompanist at the audition?
All instrumental auditions are heard without accompaniment. For vocalists, AFA will have an accompanist present at Saturday auditions only.

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.

What if I can't play all of the things listed in the audition requirements?
While AFA's audition requirements may sound fairly demanding, we do understand if, for example, a student has not been studying very long and may not know how to play a three octave scale. Please consult with your private lesson and ensemble teachers to decide what music to play. If you have questions about whether you are qualified to audition for AFA, please contact AFA for guidance.

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 roughly fifteen minutes. Typically, the adjudicator will speak with the student for a few moments so they can get to know you. Then you will play your scales and the pieces your have prepared for the audition. On rare occasions, an adjudicator may ask you to do a brief sight-reading exercise (pitch memory exercises are required for vocal auditions).

What should I do if I am running late to the audition or lost?
Please call 713-201-3700 as soon as possible. If there is no answer, please leave a voicemail with your phone number and someone will call you back.

When will I find out if I've been accepted to AFA?
AFA will send an email about acceptance depending on when the audition date is (auditions before April 2will be notified in mid-April, auditions after April 2 will be notified in early May). AFA prefers not to give audition results over the phone.