Singing Audition Tips

Auditioning can be a nerve-racking experience, even for the seasoned pro. Being well prepared can make a world of difference in how smoothly and successfully you get through the process, and this article is designed to offer some valuable pointers, whether you are auditioning for a choral group, a musical theatre production or a talent search competition like American Idol.

Keep in mind that the more you audition, the better you will become at it. Auditioning is an acquired skill.

BEFORE THE AUDITION - GETTING PREPARED

If there is time, study vocal technique for a while before you audition. If you get through to the next or final round of the competition or audition process, or get the part in the musical, your voice will be having many demands placed on it daily. Although you want to sound great at the audition itself - and lessons can certainly help make your voice sound better - it will be especially important for you to have good vocal technique beyond the audition in order to avoid strain or injury to your voice, and to increase your endurance. Also, having more vocal control, gained through lessons, will help you feel more confident about your singing abilities - you'll trust that you will be capable of doing whatever is asked of you during the audition - and will thus help you to feel less nervous about the audition.

If you are able to do so, hire a vocal coach to help you prepare your song. A vocal coach will not only help you select a song that will make your voice stand out, but he or she will also help you to polish it. An experienced vocal coach will help you add your personal flare to a song, and will know how to do so tastefully. He or she could provide you with valuable feedback that will help you succeed at your audition.

Know precisely what kind of show, competition or venue you are auditioning for so that you can pick an appropriate song with a suitable style, but also so that you don't waste anyone's time, including your own, by showing up for an audition when you wouldn't really want the part in the first place. For example, you don't want to sing an operatic song like Habanera if you are auditioning for a show like American Idol that is looking to discover the next pop sensation. While there may be some wiggle room - a rock singer or a Gospel singer can fit in at a competition to discover a new pop star - it will be too difficult for the judges to imagine you fitting into the personality of the show if your audition song does not reflect the style or the goal of the show.

Similarly, investigate whether or not your particular vocal quality is going to match the goals or needs of the group. For instance, if you are auditioning for a choir that expects everyone to have a very lyric or coloratura vocal quality - the kind that is ideal for soloing - but your voice lacks this quality, you likely won't get in. Other groups may not be looking for singers who will sound great singing solos, but may only expect them to be able to sing on tune and have a vocal quality that will lend itself to blending well with others in the group.

If you are auditioning for a choral ensemble, know whether or not the types of songs in the group's repertoire for the upcoming season are ones that you would enjoy singing. For example, if the chorale typically only performs classical pieces, but you want to sing Broadway and contemporary songs, you may want to choose another group to audition for instead.

Do your homework when it comes to the audition requirements. You may be expected to sight-read musical excerpts. If that is the case, practice to make sure that you can recognize intervals. Sometimes, you will be expected to have a song or aria of your own choosing prepared in any style or in a specific style, and at other times, you may be asked to sing a specific song from the upcoming season. Sometimes, you will be auditioning with others in small groups, perhaps divided into vocal parts (e.g. bass, tenor, alto, soprano) in order to hear how your voice blends with others and whether or not you can sing harmony and not get distracted by other parts, (such as the melody). Some choir directors might have you sing back short melodies that are played on a piano to ensure that you are not tone deaf. Oftentimes, you will be asked to bring two copies of your music with you - one for yourself and one for the accompanist. Knowing what will be expected of you during an audition, as opposed to going in blindly and being surprised or taken off guard by the director's requests, will also help ease nervousness.

Find out whether the choir director's goal is to find out what you can do or to find out whether or not you have a specific set of skills. For example, it helps to know if the director will be listening more for basic vocal skills like singing on tune or for vocal perfection and a good knowledge of music. If you will be asked to sight-read for the audition, find out whether or not you will be expected to do so perfectly, or just show some basic skills, such as recognizing intervals, and a potential for learning. Some choirs audition only to weed out the truly tone deaf or 'blending challenged' (e.g., those with painfully shrill voices, those who can't hear harmony parts, etc.), while others are seeking well-trained, professional singers.

Know your range, and be prepared to tell the choir director what part (e.g., alto) you would sing if you were to be accepted into the group. Sometimes, a choir has a need for more people to sing a particular part, and they may not be looking for someone who sings your part. If you have a broad range, they may be impressed to know that you can sing more than one part (e.g., you could sing either alto or second soprano, depending on the need), and will find you to be a valuable addition to the chorale because you can fill in the gaps.

Make an accurate assessment of your language skills if the choral group performs most of its repertoire in foreign languages (e.g., Latin, Italian, German, etc.). While you won't be expected to be fluent in these other languages, the choir director will expect you to be able to pronounce the words of the songs correctly and sound the same as everyone else in the group when you sing those words together. If you hope to be a soloist, it might benefit you to take a class to learn a foreign language or purchase a foreign language education program on CD (e.g., Rosetta Stone) so that you can understand the language better, know how to pronounce the words of the libretto or song and improve your accent.

Memorize the lyric to the song that you plan to sing. It would require a stellar vocal performance on your part for the judges to be willing to overlook something as critical as forgetting the song lyrics. Besides, a large part of selling yourself is being able to sing a song with conviction, and you can't do so while stumbling over your words. If the decision comes down to either you or another equally talented and personable vocalist who remembered the words, the judges are likely going to pick the other singer over you.

Have a second audition piece prepared in case the judges don't like your first selection, or would like to hear what else you are capable of singing. Sometimes, a second song will be an audition requirement.

Practice your audition piece. Your goal should be to give a flawless performance for the judges, so you'll need to plan ahead and know exactly how you would like to sing the song, and practice it line by line. Think through any embellishments and the arrangement of the song, and work on developing good tone and accurate pitch throughout the song for both the high and low notes.

Practice in front of a mirror, without using your hairbrush as a prop, (unless you will be using a microphone for the audition) to see how you move. Also rehearse in front of others whom you can trust to be very honest with you about how you look, move and sound when you sing. Be aware of your facial expressions. You don't want to be scrunching up your nose, closing your eyes too much, or exaggerating your expressions, as you will appear unnatural and look as though you are striving too much. You also want to avoid having a flat affect that makes you appear bored or unable to display emotion and connect with an audience. Practice moving, and be mindful of your gestures.

Provide yourself with further visual feedback by videotaping yourself as you sing your audition piece, and then critiquing your own performance. (It is likely best to avoid posting your video on-line and asking for evaluations of your singing from strangers, as the comments that are generally posted on-line are not necessarily 'informed' or helpful. Few people who watch such videos have knowledge of good vocal technique, and most don't make educated critiques or offer anything more than personal opinion. The comments of those strangers may sway you toward making a poor decision about your audition song.)

Stay healthy and exercise good vocal habits before the audition. A cold or a strained voice can ruin your audition.

Get a full night's sleep the night before your audition. Fatigue can weaken the control that you have over your voice, and rob your voice of its full colour. Also, low energy levels often show through while you are auditioning.

Consider whether or not having a support person accompany you, if you are permitted to, would be helpful. If there will be a long wait, as is often the case with open ('cattle call') auditions for which hundreds of people may show up, it might be nice to have some company. Your support person may offer to massage you and help keep you relaxed while you wait. A supportive friend or family member can be a source of encouragement and comfort should you be rejected for the part for which you are auditioning. While a support person can distract you from your nervousness, he or she may also become a distraction, inhibiting your ability to focus and mentally prepare. Selecting the right person to join you, if anyone, can make a significant difference in your overall auditioning experience.

YOUR SONG

Get some opinions about your song choice, but be sure to ask for objective feedback (to the extent that it exists). Sing two or three songs for family, friends or your vocal instructor, then ask them to help you pick on the basis of how each song accentuates the best features of your voice (e.g., tone, range, etc.), rather than on whether or not they personally like a particular song.

Unless you are auditioning for a choir or an opera company that will give performances in several languages, do not sing a song in a foreign language; (in a language other than the one that you will be expected to sing in for the show or competition). You will inevitably be asked to sing a second selection in English. First of all, different languages have accents that don't always 'translate' well into English. The judges will want to know that you can communicate effectively (primarily through song) in English, especially if English is not your fist language. They may suspect that you are hiding behind your other language. Also, not being able to understand the words of your song may be distracting, if not frustrating, for them, and they may not be able to appreciate or recognize your passion as readily.

Do not sing an overly popular, overplayed song, as you will not be setting yourself apart from anyone else who will be in front of the judges auditioning that day, even if your vocals are superior. While songs like Reflections and Amazing Grace may indeed be beautiful and melodic, and thus compliment your voice and show off your range, you may find that the judges will tune you out before you even open your mouth to sing because they have already heard the same song sung by a hundred auditioners before you.

Avoid the temptation to sing an original, unknown song unless you are auditioning for a record label or someone who is going to expect you to perform your original songs down the road. Your song writing skills are not what the panel will be judging, but if your song isn't very good and doesn't bring out the best in your voice, it may reflect poorly on your singing abilities. A singing audition is neither the time nor the arena in which you should be showcasing your songwriting skills.

Don't select an overly obscure song unless it is really catchy.

Select a song that is melodic and highly singable, as opposed to one that is repetitive and monotone (e.g., What Hurts the Most) that makes you sound like you're droning. Your song should cover a good portion of your vocal range, as you want to demonstrate that you have the ability to sing both high and low notes well, with good tone and presence (e.g., volume).

If you are auditioning for a musical, don't sing a song from the show that you are hoping to be cast in, unless instructed otherwise. Instead, select a song that reflects a similar style and will allow the director and producer to better envision and gauge how you will fit in the production or the role. Select a song that will demonstrate to the director that you have what it takes to play the desired role. I once attended an audition during which I was asked to sing the alphabet song as though I were a lounge singer so that the director and composer could see whether or not I would fit the part that I was auditioning for. (If you can make a children's song sound sexy, flirtatious and sultry, you can most certainly do the same with any song from the show itself.)

Keep your song simple, but still show off your stuff. A little embellishment here and a little vibrato there may demonstrate your 'ear' for music and your training, but too much busyness can be distracting and make it appear as though you are trying too hard to impress them. Also, in your efforts to make the song sound more complex than it needs to be, you may end up having many painfully noticeable pitch errors as you attempt to negotiate your way through those overly difficult vocal runs. It isn't worth the risk, and you would be better off sticking to something that you can sing flawlessly.

Avoid highly unusual song arrangements, as well. Sometimes, it is good to hear your unique interpretation of a song - the judges will want to hear some originality - but there is the chance that your approach to the song might be a little too unconventional for the judges' tastes or for the style of the show.

Don't sing a song with obscenities in the lyric or with highly explicit themes. It is unnecessary to offend or shock the judges, and there are other, more appropriate ways in which you can show off your edginess and style.

Do not sing a song that has a range that is greater (broader) than your own.

Don't sing a song that is too 'big' for you at this stage in your development as a singer or that is beyond your training or that doesn't suit the unique sound of your voice. A mismatch between your tonal quality and your song choice can be damaging to the impression that you give of your vocal abilities. For example, if you naturally have a soft, lyric singing voice, you probably won't sound very good or strong singing a hard rock song that is begging for a loud, grungy voice. The song choice will actually highlight the 'tinyness' of your voice. Conversely, if your voice has a 'gruff' texture, you should avoid singing a song that calls for a sweet, pretty voice. Select a song that will make the natural quality of your tone stand out, and that will flatter it. Your voice needs to be heard in the right context in order for it to be truly appreciated.

For more advice on choosing a song that suits your individual voice, read Selecting the Right Songs For Your Voice.

AT THE AUDITION - DO'S AND DON'TS

Do arrive on time and prepared. Tardiness will reflect poorly on you, as no one will want to hire or work with someone who is unreliable or inconsiderate of others who must wait on them in order to start rehearsals and performances. No one likes a self-centered diva.

Do dress appropriately. Your outfit should reflect your personality. However, it should be neither too revealing nor too modest (e.g., loose and frumpy to the point where it hangs off you in an unflattering manner). Avoid costumes and overly quirky or eccentric attire - unless you are auditioning for a band that would expect you to have a unique look - or you may not be taken seriously as an artist. The outfit should appear clean and pressed. If you have a long drive to the audition, consider changing into your audition clothing at the venue. If it is likely that you will have a long waiting time, be sure to dress comfortably. For women, ensure that, if you wear high heels, you can walk and move gracefully in them. Clumsy tripping is not the kind of entrance that you will want to be remembered for. Above all, the clothing that you choose to wear should not interfere with your ability to sing. It should, therefore, not be tight-fitting or constricting to the point where your ability to breath efficiently and support your tone is affected.

Do warm up your voice before entering the audition room. This may be challenging with others around who are also warming up, but it is important that your voice be ready to give its best show. Don't be self-conscious if others are around. The only judgment of your voice that matters will be the one that the audition panel gives you.

Do remain hydrated throughout the day of your audition in order to effectively lubricate your vocal folds so that they will function optimally.

Don't allow your nerves to get the better of you. Nervousness can weaken your voice by making it sound shaky and uncontrolled. While it is normal to be nervous, do your best to hide how you are feeling. Nerves are often interpreted as a lack of confidence and experience.

Don't allow yourself to become intimidated by the other singers around you. While some of them may have more vocal training or skills or experience than you have, that doesn't necessarily mean that they will get the part over you - (they may not be right for it) - or that they will be moved on to the next round of auditions instead of you. Don't psyche yourself out, because your fear and doubt surrounding your abilities may negatively affect you during your audition, making you appear more nervous and self-conscious before the judges. Convince yourself that you have just as much business being there and auditioning as those other singers do.

If you are auditioning for a choir and you must audition with a solo, don't become obsessed with having to sing by yourself when you are more comfortable singing within a group. In a lot of cases, the choir director is not auditioning you as a soloist, (or even a potential soloist), expecting your voice to have a certain quality, but is going to be listening instead for how well you articulate your words, how well you pronounce the words in a foreign language piece, how well you will blend with the rest of the ensemble, or how well you can hold a tune.

Do try to enjoy yourself and think positively about the audition experience. It can be rewarding on so many levels. Try to learn what you can, and expect that you will be better at auditioning on the other side of this audition.

An audition often includes a bit of an interview component in which singers will be asked to provide resum�s or fill out forms asking for biographical information, and answer questions about their training and performance experience. Do come prepared with a list of the shows that you have been in, and the roles that you have played.

Do appear to be proud of your achievements and don't be apologetic for your lack of accomplishment or training so far in your career. The panel may not be looking for the most experienced performer or the most highly trained vocalist. Rather, the directors may be seeking someone with presence, personality and an impalpable quality about them over someone with exceptional skills. Also, you may be asked to 'promote' yourself, just as you would in any other interview, so be prepared to tell the judges why you feel that you are the right person for the role (e.g., why you believe that you could be the next American Idol). Think through your responses ahead of time so that you can articulate them well, which will help you to appear confident.

Do be mindful of how you carry and present yourself from the moment that you enter the room to the moment that you exit it. The judges will be looking for confidence but not cockiness, and friendliness but not inappropriateness or a lack of interpersonal boundaries. Confidence in your own skills is necessary in order to succeed on stage as a performer and to sell yourself to an audience. Cockiness or arrogance, on the other hand, makes you difficult to work with or resistant to following direction, and they suggest that you are unwilling to learn and grow as an artist.

Do smile. A genuine smile will make you appear pleasant to work with and less nervous, and will invite feelings of goodwill amongst everyone in the room.

Do be yourself. If you are hired either because of the personality or the style that you present during your audition, you will be expected to be that same person or vocalist later on. Faking takes a lot of energy, and you will eventually be found out.

If you are going to be auditioning without instrumental accompaniment (i.e., a cappella), do use a pitch pipe - a harmonica-like device with marked openings for different notes that is used to give a singer a pitch reference (i.e., a starting note) - or find a nearby piano and strike the correct key to give you your ideal starting pitch. Another trick that can be employed when singing a cappella if a pitch pipe would be too noticeable or awkward and if a musical instrument is not available is to inaudibly (e.g., either very quietly so that the judges won't hear or silently in your head) sing the highest note of the song, then find your starting note in relation to that highest note. For example, if the highest notes occur in the chorus - more often than not, they do - quickly run through that chorus in your head, imagining yourself singing those notes in the ideal range of pitches for your voice. Once you have finished singing through the chorus in your head, begin singing the verse aloud for the judges. Nearly all singers are able to use this trick successfully, as it is difficult to imagine themselves singing notes that they are physically incapable of singing or that are in weaker parts of their ranges. The judges likely won't mind if you take a brief moment to find your starting place before beginning to sing your audition selection. Few people have perfect pitch - which does not mean singing perfectly on tune all the time - and it's very easy to start out a song in the wrong key, especially when nervousness is present. Beginning a song either too high or too low can make you struggle to sing the highest or lowest notes of the song, which may lead to pitch errors and poor tone as you attempt to cover up for the difficulties reaching those notes. Even though the judges may be sympathetic and will recognize what has happened, they will nevertheless be unimpressed and may not allow you a do over.

Do move a little as you sing, but avoid excessive or exaggerated movements. Also, avoid clich� or 'theatrical' hand gestures and poses. You want to come across as lively and interesting, not cheesy and over the top. Resist the urge to snap your fingers either to keep yourself on tempo or to look like you're singing 'in the groove'.

Do not move around very much with your feet. While a little movement over the audition space will probably be acceptable to the judges, you don't want to dizzy them by nervously pacing on the stage, rocking back and forth or side to side, or dancing frenetically. You want to show that you are feeling the song with your whole body, but you don't want to shake your head or move too dramatically.

Do make eye contact with the judges. They will be looking for someone who has confidence and who will be able to connect with and engage an audience. It is usually okay to close your eyes, but only briefly and infrequently. Closing your eyes, though, may be interpreted as a sign of discomfort with singing in front of an audience, as a lack of self-confidence or as shyness.

Don't become visibly flustered or stop singing if you make a mistake. Instead, continue on with singing your piece as if nothing has happened. In a live performance setting, this is precisely what you would have to do, and the panel of judges may be looking to see that you are quick on your feet and can successfully cover up your mistakes, hiding them from an audience and critics. If the people who are evaluating your skills point out the mistake or comment on it, it is fine to acknowledge that you were aware of it, but don't apologize, give excuses, beg and plead to start over or begin crying. They may be looking to see that you can accept criticism or direction, or that your internal ear is capable of recognizing when your vocal performance is less than perfect. There is also no need for you to voluntarily bring your error to the judges' attention. It is possible that they may not have even noticed it, or that it wasn't really that significant to them.

Don't panic or get discouraged if the person who is auditioning you doesn't make eye contact with you while you are singing. Sometimes a choir director or judge will close his or her eyes or look away in order to be able to listen more critically to the texture of your voice without the distraction of watching you. His or her lack of direct eye contact does not necessarily mean that he or she is not paying attention to your singing or is not enjoying your audition.

Do invite and accept constructive feedback so that you may continue to learn, grow and improve your auditioning and singing skills.

Do not become combative or argumentative - (again, no one likes a diva) - but humbly listen to and accept what the judges have to say about your performance and their reasons for either accepting or rejecting you. Their critique may help you to do better at your next audition, or in the next round of auditions. Additionally, you may encounter these same judges in a future audition or working situation, and you don't want to give them a lasting undesirable impression of you. Don't burn bridges, professionally speaking. While you may not be right for the particular part or competition that you are auditioning for this time, you may be right for the next role that these same judges are casting for, and they may think of you first because you stood out in a positive way when they first met you. Sometimes, you are simply not what they are looking for right now, and their rejection of you is not a reflection of what they truly think of your talent.

Do thank the judges for their time, and let them know that you have appreciated the opportunity that they have given you to sing for them. (You would do the same at any other job interview.)

Good Luck!