If you’re auditioning for music schools or a similar opportunity, this quick guide is tailored to help you master the audition process —from selecting the right song(s) to reflecting on your performance afterward.
I think I want to start this piece by quickly reminding you that this is a path for the brave. So no matter what the outcome, well done you for being brave, that’s cool! Please know that often many hundreds of people will be autitioning for the same opportunity as you. All you can do is your best. You cannot know what the panel are looking for. You can only give them your best. Success or failure is not a sign of your worth as a human being, artist or singer. As stories from every artist who ever lived will tell. So with all that being said, here’s a few tips that you might find helpful.x
Part One – Choosing Material
Understanding the Audition Requirements
The first step in preparing for any audition is to gain a comprehensive understanding of what the audition entails.
Consider the following:
- How many songs must you prepare?
- Is there specific advice regarding the styles, tempos, or variations among your song choices?
- Will you be performing a cappella, with a backing track, or accompanied by a live musician (or accompanying yourself?)
- Is it necessary to perform the piece(s) in their original key, or are transpositions to suit your vocal range acceptable or even preferred?
- Should you strive for an original interpretation of the material, or is it better to stay true to established arrangements?
- What is the expected length for each song? Time/bars?
- Aside from the songs, are there technical vocal exercises or other elements you must prepare for?
These are just some of the questions you will want to be asking yourself to enable you to move forward with your audition preparation.
Understand the Intention Behind the Audition
It’s helpful to remind yourself what the intention is for the audition. Primarily, the people evaluating you during an audition seeks to grasp your individuality, gauge your talent and proficiency, and determine whether you would fit in well at their institution, company, or production. They are seeing where you are now and also envisioning your potential —can they picture you developing as an artist or embodying a specific role in the future? It’s crucial to remember that your objective at any audition is not to transform your singing style or choose ‘impressive’ repertoire that doesn’t align with your natural voice. The essence of your audition is to show them you.
Selecting Your Audition Repertoire
The choice of your audition material is important in showcasing your vocal strengths without stretching your capabilities too thin. To make informed decisions, you should have a keen awareness of your vocal range; your comfort zone, working range, and your potential materials range and tessitura (explained below).
Understanding Your Vocal Comfort Zone: For most singers, the ‘comfort zone’ spans approximately one to one and a half octaves—this is where your voice sounds its best, where singing feels effortless, where you can perform with ease, best express yourself and convey emotions. Identify this zone. What’s the range of your comfort zone?
Working Vocal Range: Your working range includes your comfort zone and notes either side that you can sing with training, and regular practice. With time and training, this range can extend to about two octaves. Whilst you can sing these notes without straining we don’t want to ‘live’ outside the comfort zone, but you can go there. What is your current working range?
Maximum range: Your maximum range refers to every note that you can possibly produce with your voice. We rarely perform in our maximum range. What’s yours?
Song range: How high and low do your potential song choices go? Do the songs you’re considering for your audition fit within your working range? Practice sirening, utilising semi-occluded vocal tract exercises like bubbling or straw phonation through the melodies of your song choices to check for ease of vocalisation. This can indicate whether the songs are within range and suitable for your voice. We can work on this in classes.
Song Tessitura: The tessitura of a song isn’t quite the same as the song’s overall range. It’s the zone where the bulk of the song’s notes are situated, typically spanning less than an octave. When selecting a piece for your audition, it’s wise to choose one whose tessitura aligns well with the area where your voice feels most at ease — your comfort zone. Ideally, the song will mostly stay within this sweet spot while occasionally reaching into the extended areas of your working range for a bit of variety and challenge.
Showcasing Your Vocal Strengths
When it comes to song selection, the aim is to highlight the unique qualities and range of your voice. Choose songs that you connect with on an emotional level, not just technical. Contemporary music often values genuine expression more than flawless technique.
Opt for material that complements the ‘weight’ of your voice— song(s) that you can sing comfortably, which allow you to display a wide range of dynamics and control. For example, if you have a smaller/lighter voice you may not wish to choose songs by artists with much heavier/bigger voices (unless you are being encouraged to re-interpret the music). There’s plenty of music out there that will fit your voice. No one type of voice is better than another. Your audition is the platform to showcase how well you can command your instrument. Voices come in all shapes and sizes! There’s nothing to be gained by attempting a piece that’s too challenging or unsuitable for your voice type.
I suggest you commit to practicing three or four songs over time, and narrow them down as the audition approaches.
Selecting Your Signature Song:
For contemporary music auditions choose a song that mirrors your artistic identity. Your selection should be a declaration of who you are, not just a display of your vocal prowess. Think of your song as an anthem that captures your unique vocal character and the essence of your personality. This way you can communicate something genuine about you. This authenticity can elevate a routine audition to a performance that resonates and lingers in the memory.
Remember, the panel is not just looking for a great voice; they’re looking for a compelling artist. So immerse yourself in your music collection and choose songs that not only speak to your heart but also are well-suited to your voice, songs that allow you to unveil a part of your essence.
Continue reading in Part Two…
