Song Selection

What Makes a Great Music Selection for Figure Skating Programs?

Choosing the right music is one of the most important—and often underestimated—decisions in figure skating. Music sets the tone for a program, shapes choreography, and influences how judges and audiences experience a skater’s performance. At every level, from first competitions to elite events, strong music selection helps skaters skate with confidence, clarity, and connection.

At Skate VIDA, we work with skaters throughout Austin and Central Texas to find music that supports their technical development while allowing their personality to shine. Below, we break down some ideas on what makes a great music choice at each level of skating but ultimately finding music that YOU connect with will bring out your best on the ice!

The Basics: Compete USA & Beginner Programs

For beginning skaters, music should be simple, upbeat, and easy to follow. At this stage, the goal is to help skaters develop timing, musical awareness, and confidence—not to overwhelm them.

What works best:

• Clear, consistent tempo

• Strong beats that match basic skating elements

• Short cuts with obvious phrasing

• Instrumental or clean, age-appropriate tracks

Judges at the beginner level are looking for skaters who stay on time, use the whole ice, and show basic performance skills. Music that is too complex or emotional can make it harder for skaters to stay in control. Fun, accessible music allows young skaters to relax and perform.

Aspire & Pre-Preliminary Thru Pre-Juvenile: Building Expression and Style

As skaters move into Aspire and early competitive levels, music selection becomes more nuanced. This is where skaters begin to develop a sense of style and learn how choreography reflects musical changes.

What works best:

• Music with clear sections and dynamic contrast

• Light classical, lyrical instrumental, or edited contemporary pieces

• Music that matches the skater’s natural speed and movement quality

Judges at this level respond well to programs where the skater’s movements clearly reflect the music. They’re not looking for dramatic intensity yet—rather, they want to see musical interpretation, clean transitions, and confident skating.

Adult Skaters: Connection, Storytelling, and Authenticity

Adult skating is one of the most expressive and creative areas of the sport. Music choices here can be broader and more personal, but they still need to serve the skating.

What works best:

• Music with emotional depth or storytelling

• Jazz, Broadway, classical, film scores, or meaningful contemporary music

• Tempos that support balance, control, and quality edges

Judges tend to reward adult skaters who choose music that feels authentic and allows for strong interpretation. Overly fast or technically demanding music can work against a skater if it doesn’t match their skating style. Well-chosen music helps adult skaters showcase maturity, performance quality, and control.

Elite & High-Level Skaters: Complexity, Originality, and Commitment

At the elite level, music selection becomes a strategic decision. Judges expect depth, sophistication, and full commitment to the program concept.

What works best:

• Music with layered phrasing and dynamic range

• Thoughtful edits that enhance choreography and transitions

• Unique selections or creative interpretations of classic pieces

Judges don’t favor one specific genre at the elite level—they reward clarity of concept, musical nuance, and performance quality. A familiar piece can score very well if it’s skated with originality and conviction. Conversely, an unusual piece only works if the skater fully commits and the choreography clearly matches the music.

A Final Word on Song Selection

Across all levels, judges are not looking for trendy music—they’re looking for appropriate, intentional choices that allow skaters to skate their best. The best music:

• Matches the skater’s level and strengths

• Supports technical elements rather than distracting from them

• Allows the skater to perform confidently and authentically

Need Help Choosing Music? Skate VIDA Is Here to Help

Selecting music can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Skate VIDA, we guide skaters of all ages and levels through music selection, program development, and choreography. Whether you’re a beginner preparing for your first competition or an adult skater crafting a meaningful program, our coaching team is here to help.

If you’re looking for figure skating lessons, program choreography, or competition preparation in Austin or Central Texas, reach out to Skate VIDA today and let’s find music that brings your skating to life on the ice.

Music Editing & Program Cuts: Getting the Details Right

Once the right music is chosen, how it’s edited matters just as much as the selection itself. Clean, well-timed music cuts help skaters stay on phrase, hit elements with intention, and skate with confidence.

At Skate VIDA, our coaching team is happy to assist with simple music cuts—such as straightforward edits for beginner and Aspire-level programs where clarity and consistency are the priority. These types of edits focus on clean starts and endings, clear tempo, and logical phrasing that supports developing skaters.

For more advanced music cuts, complex mixes, or custom compositions, we strongly recommend working with a professional music editor. High-level programs benefit from seamless transitions, layered sound, and sophisticated phrasing that elevates choreography and performance quality.

We proudly recommend Hugo and his team at Sk8Mix, who specialize in professional figure skating music editing for competitive skaters at all levels. Their expertise ensures music is edited with skating in mind—enhancing musicality, transitions, and overall program impact.
👉 Learn more about their services here: https://unisons.pro/figure-skating-music-editing/

Whether you’re preparing a first competition program or refining an elite-level performance, pairing thoughtful music selection with high-quality editing makes a meaningful difference on the ice.

USFS Music Policies

Be advised that all music used in conjunction with U.S. Figure Skating sanctioned events should be vetted for proper copyright and usage rights. More information on the USFS music policies is available here.

According to this policy:

You can check if your song is already licensed through US Figure Skating using SONGVIEW. For a song to be fully licensed through U.S. Figure Skating’s blanket licenses, the song must be 100% covered between ASCAP, BMI, or a combination of the two. If you do not find your song in the Songview database, the rights to that song have either not been secured, or have explicitly been withheld. In either case, it is strongly recommended by USFS that you select a different song that can be found in Songview.

Alternatively you may be able to utilize a paid option known as ClicknClear to attempt to obtain the appropriate license. ClicknClear may allow USFS members to pay for a music license if a song is not covered under the USFS’s blanket licenses with ASCAP and BMI.

It is the sole responsibility of the U.S. Figure Skating coach, choreographer, athlete and/or parent/guardian to ensure that music being used in U.S. Figure Skating sanctioned and approved events, programs, and activities is cleared 100% by BMI and/or ASCAP, or that the proper licensing has been obtained (via ClicknClear or otherwise).