Auditions

One can say and write a lot about auditions, but here are a few important tips for a successful audition.

Always remember: you have to show your love for singing. If you are overly nervous and create the impression that you wished you were not there at the audition, you will fail. Love singing!

Be absolutely well-prepared. The first aria you may usually chose yourself. This aria must be, in your opinion, your best aria. You may not get a second chance, so don’t consider your first aria to be a “warm-up”. You have to show right from the very beginning how good you are.

Don’t chose a newly-studied aria, but one that you have sung many times and know very well. You may chose an aria that people don’t know very well, but shows your best qualities. You may chose from various languages, even ones that are not well-known, such as Russian or Czech. The aria should not be too long - 3 to 5 minutes is good, otherwise, make cuts.

Be extremely punctual. Sometimes there are “no-shows” and your appointed time will be moved forward. It is of great advantage that you are there - and ready! The theatre business is dependent upon your punctuality and reliability. Show that you are a professional.

Be friendly to all of your colleagues who are waiting with you, and assistents whom you meet before you go on. Your good behavior begins actually before the actual audition.

Don’t bring friends or relatives. You have to prove to the theatre people that you can stand on your own two feet.

Please do not wear perfume. Many people react with allergies - even your judicators. Be considerate.

When you enter the room or stage where you are going to sing, be nice, friendly, charming. Make eye contact with everyone who is judging you and smile. Star allures or introverted behavior will work against you. You should also introduce yourself. Please remember, if you are on stage to speak up and speak slowly, so that one can hear and understand you from the auditorium area.
When you are finished, leave the stage with a smile and thank your listeners - wishing them a “good day”. If you thank your pianist, this is also of advantage. It shows that you are considerate to your fellow men. That you are friendly to everyone is very important in the theatre world! Again: enjoy what you are doing and show that you have a passion to sing. Show them that you belong on the stage. Show your heart and soul!

Stay focused and concentrated on the task at hand.

Don’t forget your resume with photo. (Perhaps it will have been accepted before the audition.)
Be absolutely certain that you have all of your music. If you have an aria on the list, never have to say: “I don’t have the music with me” or “I have forgotten the music to that aria”. That is your downfall!

Mark your music with tempi, rubati, dynamics, etc. for your pianist. It is very possible - and probably -that you will not be able to work with him beforehand. Best is to bring your own pianist if it is possible.

Men should wear a suit with tie. Relaxed wear is not acceptable - neither in Europe nor in the States. Not even a turtle-necked sweater is acceptable attire. Show that you are a professional and not a student. You definitely have a better chance for an engagment in Europe if you appear in a suit.
If a woman decides on black attire, pick it up with a colorful shawl or scarf. Otherwise, chose color. It shows more personality. Black can make one old or old-fashioned in appearance. The attire should show your figure to an advantage. Women should wear shoes with heels - only not so high that you cannot hold your balance or feel uncomfortable.
Opera singers are “styled” nowadays. Just don’t be too flashy so that your listeners and judges remember your costume better than your singing! You are new and young, but think like a professional and not a student.

Both men and women must have their hair well-groomed. Don’t let strands of hair fall into yur face or eyes. This is extremely disturbing!! If you think, for example, that this is sexy, you are wrong!! Your judges or public must see your eyes and eyebrows - they are instrumental to your facial expression and interpretation.

NEVER AUDITION WHEN YOU ARE SICK OR INDISPOSED!!!

It is better not to have been heard than have made a bad impression. Believe me. The people who have heard you will NEVER forget a bad audition. Don’t be deluded into thinking they will not remember. Agents, artistic directors, conductors who are present will make notes of your audition. It can take years to make good a bad audition. Not to speak of the fact that these people may pass on this information of a bad audition to others.

Afterwards: go home and make an analysis of your performance. What was not so good? What should you sing better technically? What do you have to coach more intensively? Talk with your team: voice teacher, coach, etc. Always stay positive. If the audition did not produce an engagment, it doesn’t have to mean that you don’t have the ability. Learn from your audition. Keep your integrity and stay true to yourself. And, of course, work even harder!

• Author and date: Brenda Roberts (2009-05-13)
• Permalink: Auditions
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