Posted by paul g. on January 04, 2001 at 21:55:57:
In Reply to: audition anxiety posted by nervous on January 04, 2001 at 09:34:18:
I heard an Olympic gymnast once say something to the effect of "practice (or rehearse) like it's the actual Olympics and then perform like its a practice" (paraphrase).
I recently stood and performed a solo piece before an audience of roughly 400 people (a big deal for me as an amateur) and since I was well prepared, I pretty much closed my eyes and focused on the music, the piano, and imagined that I was playing by myself as I practiced, trying to make the most beautiful music I could. Basically I was focusing on getting in the "zone" of the music, trying to please myself. In the end I was still a little nervous but I'll be doing the same thing next time (if there is one, of course :-).
--paul;