Preparing for Singing Auditions
Most singers have an audition at some point in their lives. It may be for a showcase or a talent show at school, maybe it’s a singing competition, maybe you’re planning on auditioning for your dream college or a role in a musical theatre. Even though all of these auditions are VERY different, there are a few things you can do to make sure you’re well on your way when time comes.
- Develop your skill set.
Training your voice on a regular basis is essential to your vocal growth. It will help you gain a better understanding of your voice and develop each dimension. This is something you want to do consistently over a long time, not only a month before audition day. The more quality time you spend in the vocal gym, the more reliable and skilled your instrument will become.
- Grow your repertoire.
Set a monthly goal to broaden the song selection you have available. Listen to different artists and genres and take songs you find challenging and fun. You can start with your favorite song and then maybe add one song every week, switching between different genres and artists. I even encourage you to try songs in different languages.
- Know yourself and your voice.
What is your favorite thing about your voice? What sets you apart from other singers? If you have an answer for these questions, THAT is what you want to bring into your songs. Make the songs your own. Sometimes a change in key or tempo might do the trick, and other times you’ll have to take some time to analyze the lyrics and add your twist with some conversational qualities (vocal fry, breathy sounds, etc.) or even changes in the melody.
NOTE: It’s important to know that some auditions (Musical Theatre, Broadway, etc.) will require you to sing the audition song in the original key, since you’re auditioning for a certain role in these scenarios. Key changes, big changes to the melody or mood of the song will be a no go since there’s a certain expectation for you to represent a character. For these situations it is essential to know your vocal range and your voice to select the role and songs that put you into the most favorable position.
- Enjoy!
All the singing in the world would not be worth it if it didn’t bring you joy. Sounds chliché, I know. But if you can’t find the passion for music, why would you spend hours honing the craft? It’s true, it won’t always be fun to spend time in the vocal gym and rehearse your songs all the time. But if you really love what you do, singing will bring you joy even when it’s not all glitz and glam. And always think of an audition as a win-win situation. If you get the part, you win. If you end up not getting it, you also win, because you gain a lot of experience and you might meet new friends on the way. So, even if there’s pressure, make sure you enjoy the process and never stop singing.
AUTHOR: BRIGITTE KRAHN