What NOT to do when auditioning for a college

[stagebeauty]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 2:18pm

Since i'm preparing for my most important year of my life [high school senior = college auditioning], i figured this would be a good topic to bring up.

what are some things to look out for in auditioning for college? what should i be sure NOT to do? what should i be sure TO do?

[tcb122]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 4:06pm

Follow all rules and guidelines they give you. Schedule your most important auditions last. The school you want to get into most, try to make that your last audition so you KNOW your stuff.(I did this a 2 years ago and by the end- I was so calm and ready- and that last school- my important one- is where I ended up.)

Be sure to mark your music start and stop and anything else clearly in the piano part (not the vocal where you read- put it where the accomp. reads)and be NICE to the accomp- its important not to wave at them, or snap or clap your tempo, they are not dogs- be NICE and softly sing it to them. (That might also kill first note jitters) Communicate! Because this is YOUR audition.

Stay away from JRB at all costs- its wonderful music- but not for an audition- the piano parts can be crazy with tempo and timing and if you have a song that an accompanist might not be able to handle- THEY become in control of your audition and you are going to do it they way they want you to.

Make sure your music is clear and all the left handed piano lines are on the bottom of the page because when we singers copy- sometimes we dont look at the bottom of the page and its always missing.
Don't ever do a song thats open for comparison unless you do it a million times better. Obviously stay away from pieces currently on Broadway or that was on Broadway recently- thats right, no Wicked, no Little Women. Never Sondheim. Never use a song for an audition of the opposite sex. You just look silly and casting directors hate that. They think "Oh gee, she is singing a song that should be sung by a male...I wonder why..Maybe she couldnt find a good enough-" and your audition is over and they didnt even hear you.

I've had a debate on whether or not you should slate in an audition or not and introduce your piece. I was just taught that one should never slate at a theatre audition (it wastes time and they ALREADY know your name- they have your resume)- and that people like musical suprises- so don't say your song- just sing it. Its up to what they want and what you want to do. Another debate I've had is your focus. I was taught- take in the room BUT I was also taught pick a focus at the back of the room. If you do take in the whole room- DON'T stare at a person too long.

Never have props or costumes or dance for a singing audition. Its just silly- its not cute. IF you need something for a certain song- pick a new one because its not worth it. Look professional- They notice EVERYTHING. The question is: Do we want to work with you for four years? Present and be yourself. You are a package. Don't look casual, "like, whatever" and dont wear flipflops (I don't know why- but I always hear how much your shoes matter.)



Well, Thats a lot. Some of that is from experience and a lot of it has been taught to me from a recent Workshop Intensive and we had casting directors and accompanist here in New York talk with us. I know some of that might be open to debate- but thats just my two cents.

[babygiraffeboots]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 4:14pm

Don't strip.

[tcb122]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 8:26pm

hahahaha

[stagebeauty]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 9:52pm

thanks tcb, i'll take that all into consideration :)

[tcb122]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 10:52pm

No problemo!

[dietcherryemma]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 12:58am

The pianist is your best friend.

[Eliza0114]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 1:07am

don't talk down to the pianist. it's my biggest pet peeve...and I dunno about the stripping. my left breast popped out during my audition at NYU when I was singing "Laurie's Song" and I got offered admission? haha

[singingwendy]

Posted: 7/11/05 at 4:01pm

Can I reccommend that you take the actual songbooks with you and not photocopies? I know that photocopies are cheaper and might be easier to carry, but they are not the "real" music. When I was in college, if we showed up at a jury with photocopies they would fail us on our jury. Consider it an investment. You are probably going to sing the song again anyway, and it's supporting the music publishing industry....not to mention that photocopies are illegal.

[Shelley_is_batty]

Posted: 7/11/05 at 4:43pm

Take some pressure off yourself. I know this is the most stressful thing ever, I went through it. But you also can't go into the audition thinking that it is the most important thing in your life. It's normal to be sickeningly nervous, but whatever happens in your audition will not break you. Things work out for the best, and there are always more than one way to get around a sitiuation. When I had to audition I didn't believe anyone who told me this, I thought they were full of crap, but I was wrong. Just something to think about.

[brdwaybaby17]

Posted: 7/11/05 at 5:22pm

tcb, I few things you said I have heard the opposite of.

I was told to put my most important audition right in the middle, so I was used to the process and I wasn't burnt out yet.

Also, I plan on singing "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" and everyone thinks it's a really good idea... I've also done some workshops on auditions.

People say to wear similar colors when you do your dance audition as your vocal audition. You're easier to remember if you look somewhat the same.

[tcb122]

Posted: 7/11/05 at 11:53pm

brdwaybaby, I totally understand! I've been told thousands of different things- I just take it in- see what works for me and what doesn't and try either way to give them what they want.

Posted: 7/12/05 at 8:18pm

Don't wear black.

[briarbrad]

Posted: 7/12/05 at 8:30pm

I assume you're joking. Wearing black is what most people do - it's simple and it puts the emphasis on YOU and not your clothing.

[renthead2005z]

Posted: 7/13/05 at 4:57pm

I always wear black pants, and a very thin light blue sweater with no designs on it.

[pndmnd]

Posted: 7/13/05 at 8:42pm

That's exactly why you don't wear solid black--you don't want to look just like everyone else. My school suggests solids, but not all black. Oh, and I usually do wear a similar look or color combination for dance auditions (if possible). Most people don't, it's just something I like to do.

To be nervous is completely understandable, but at the same time remember that, despite the fact that it might feel like it at the time, this is not the most important day of your life or the biggest audition of your life. Even if you don't get into your first choice school, your second and third choices will be just as good. I am learning that, in college, you only get out of it what you put into it.

[MrBungee7]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 2:35am

Be polite! Respect the auditioneers and the pianist. This doesn't mean you have to be meek. Just don't act like you couldn't care less. Let them know you're excited and want to be there, and, above all, that you want to be performing (regardless of the material you're doing for the audition).