How to Prepare Your Music for an Audition
Congratulations! You just booked your first audition. Let’s take a moment to celebrate.
Okay, the moment is over. Now it is time to prepare your music. Music is a crucial part of having a successful audition. From the minute you walk in the door, to the minute you walk out, you are being judged, and the song is how you express who you are in 32 bars or less. But I will explain that in a minute.
Firstly, you must choose what song to sing. To make a wise decision, think of what vocal range you are most comfortable with. Do you like to sing high, or do you like to sing low? Then I suggest you pick a song that tells a story, and that you can relate to. It is also advisable to choose a song that is typically sung by someone close to your age, and the same gender. It should also fit the style of the show you are auditioning for. For example, if you were going to audition for American Idiot, and you are a white young man, then I would suggest you sing a song that was written by Green Day. On the contrary, if you are going to be auditioning for Legally Blonde, it is unwise to sing a song from something old and boring that everyone kind of knows about, but not really, such as Oklahoma! or Yankee Doodle Dandy! And vice versa. Once you have chosen your song, then you should purchase it online, or copy it out of a sheet music book.
Then, it is vital that you mark your music where you would like to make changes, or emphasize important musical dynamics. For example, if you are singing a song that is dramatic, and you want your “accompanist”, or “the dude who plays the piano”, to stop playing so that you can take a dramatic moment, you simply write in a “fermata” over the spot in your music. This is just one example. It also applies to “tempo”, which is how fast or slow the song goes, and volume, or any other changes you want in your music. After your music is ready, you need to make sure you slip the sheet music into protective sheet covers, and place them neatly in a three-ring binder.
Once this is finished, you must be sure to arrange a time with a pianist to rehearse your song. Never EVER walk into an audition without knowing your song backward and forward on the piano. It is crucial that you can recall every single tone in the “accompaniment”, which is just a fancy word for the music that is playing while you are singing. Therefore, be sure that you plan a “vocal coaching” with a pianist so that you can be prepared and know what it will sound like when the accompanist at the audition receives your music.
Hopefully, by this time, you will feel completely prepared with the music portion of the audition. All that’s left is to strap on a pair of heels, (if you are a girl, of course... unless you are a guy who wants to wear heels... then by all means, go right ahead) dress nicely, and walk into the audition with your head held high. With this musical advice, you will be sure to nail your audition and there is no reason you wouldn’t get a callback. However, it is always good to keep in mind that sometimes you just were not right for the part, and that is nothing you can change, so you keep your attitude positive, and start preparing your music for the next audition. Certainly, if you keep this up, you will be successful in your musical theatre endeavors.
Okay, the moment is over. Now it is time to prepare your music. Music is a crucial part of having a successful audition. From the minute you walk in the door, to the minute you walk out, you are being judged, and the song is how you express who you are in 32 bars or less. But I will explain that in a minute.
Firstly, you must choose what song to sing. To make a wise decision, think of what vocal range you are most comfortable with. Do you like to sing high, or do you like to sing low? Then I suggest you pick a song that tells a story, and that you can relate to. It is also advisable to choose a song that is typically sung by someone close to your age, and the same gender. It should also fit the style of the show you are auditioning for. For example, if you were going to audition for American Idiot, and you are a white young man, then I would suggest you sing a song that was written by Green Day. On the contrary, if you are going to be auditioning for Legally Blonde, it is unwise to sing a song from something old and boring that everyone kind of knows about, but not really, such as Oklahoma! or Yankee Doodle Dandy! And vice versa. Once you have chosen your song, then you should purchase it online, or copy it out of a sheet music book.
Then, it is vital that you mark your music where you would like to make changes, or emphasize important musical dynamics. For example, if you are singing a song that is dramatic, and you want your “accompanist”, or “the dude who plays the piano”, to stop playing so that you can take a dramatic moment, you simply write in a “fermata” over the spot in your music. This is just one example. It also applies to “tempo”, which is how fast or slow the song goes, and volume, or any other changes you want in your music. After your music is ready, you need to make sure you slip the sheet music into protective sheet covers, and place them neatly in a three-ring binder.
Once this is finished, you must be sure to arrange a time with a pianist to rehearse your song. Never EVER walk into an audition without knowing your song backward and forward on the piano. It is crucial that you can recall every single tone in the “accompaniment”, which is just a fancy word for the music that is playing while you are singing. Therefore, be sure that you plan a “vocal coaching” with a pianist so that you can be prepared and know what it will sound like when the accompanist at the audition receives your music.
Hopefully, by this time, you will feel completely prepared with the music portion of the audition. All that’s left is to strap on a pair of heels, (if you are a girl, of course... unless you are a guy who wants to wear heels... then by all means, go right ahead) dress nicely, and walk into the audition with your head held high. With this musical advice, you will be sure to nail your audition and there is no reason you wouldn’t get a callback. However, it is always good to keep in mind that sometimes you just were not right for the part, and that is nothing you can change, so you keep your attitude positive, and start preparing your music for the next audition. Certainly, if you keep this up, you will be successful in your musical theatre endeavors.