How to Audition for an Undergraduate Vocal Music Program

Almost all music degree programs with a performance emphasis require an audition. This is an opportunity to earn scholarships and to get used to singing in front of a panel of professors.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• 2 prepared art songs or arias in contrasting languages
• Resume with list of voice teachers and recent performances
• Sheet Music

1. 26 Italian Songs and Arias Prepare your first audition piece. This should include a selection from "24 Italian Songs and Arias from the 17th and 18th Centuries" (publ. Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics). You can use this edition, but the newer one edited by John Glenn Paton is more helpful because the editor provides historical notes, translations of the texts and additional songs. Both versions come in different keys that range from Low to High and are appropriate for male and female singers. Sing through some of the songs to see if the version you have is in a comfortable key for your voice.
2. Prepare your second audition piece. This should be in a contrasting style and language. If your first song was fast, this song should be slow. Since your first piece was in Italian, this should be in English, French, German or Latin. Choose a song from the classical repertoire, which includes art songs, arias, and oratorio. Do not use a musical theatre piece unless you are auditioning specifically for a musical theatre program. Arias, which are songs from operas, are tricky for young singers and will likely backfire in an audition. If you want to use an aria, try something by Mozart. Arias by composers like Wagner or Verdi are too heavy and are not appropriate for this audition. Replace these arias with a light, lyrical art song. Find an anthology in a language you prefer and sing through several songs to find one that fits you. The song should catch your ear immediately and feel easy to learn. The TIS Music Catalog (http://www.tismusic.com/index.cfm) is a good place to find sheet music and many of the books come with practice CDs. Practice these songs with a private teacher or ask your high school or church choir director for help. Make sure you know what the words mean. Pay attention to the musical phrasing. Where does each phrase begin and end? Where is the peak of the phrase? In general, you should breathe at the punctuation marks if you can't make it to the next rest. Listen to the accompaniment and observe how your part fits. Sometimes the accompaniment will double your part and you should be very accurate with the rhythm. Other times you will be on your own, which gives you more freedom, but also more responsibility. Memorize the song and know it well.
3. Prepare your sheet music for the accompanist. Start by verifying that your printed music is in the key you wish to sing it in. If you bought a paperback anthology, you will need to make a photocopy of your individual song. Books do not lay flat on the piano, and your accompanist will have a hard time keeping the book open to the right page. Make sure the layout is the same as it is in the book for easy page-turning. This means making double-sided copies when necessary. Hole-punch the copies and put them in a binder. Do not punch through the clefs and key signatures--stay in the margins. If your song is three pages or less, you can skip the holes, tape the pages side by side and lay them straight across the piano.
4. Dress nicely. Men should wear suits or dress pants with a button-down shirt. Women should wear dresses or suits. Skirts should be knee-length or longer and tops should not be sleeveless. Look at your dress under bright lights. If you can see through it, wear a slip or wear something else. Make sure your hair is out of your face and wear extra makeup. You may be auditioning in a recital hall with stage lights or a classroom with fluorescent lights. Wear comfortable shoes that don't squeak and don't wear any noisy jewelry.
5. Have your resume ready. You will likely be given a form that will ask for your voice type. Voice types for women are Soprano and Mezzo-Soprano. Voice types for men are Tenor, Baritone and Bass. If you aren't sure which one you are, ask your teacher or leave it blank. You may not know yet and that's fine. Your new professors are there to help you figure it out. You will need to know your current teacher's name, location, phone number and the dates you studied with him or her. They will also ask about other musical training you have had, which includes piano lessons and even dance. List the dates and locations of your recent performances. Include your choir, musical theater, summer music program and church performances. List any solos you have had and awards you have won. If you have all this information ready on a resume, the details will be easier to transfer when you get to your audition site.
6. Have confidence. Smile when you walk into the room and introduce yourself to the panel. Note that singers are often paranoid about germs and they may not want to shake your hand. Walk over to the accompanist, give her the music and set the tempo by singing the first few lines quietly at the speed you prefer. If you know how, you can also conduct the tempo.
7. Stand in the crook of the piano and face your audience. Announce your piece and look at the accompanist to let him know you are ready. Sing clearly and expressively. If you make a mistake, keep going. School accompanists are very talented people--they will follow you no matter what you do. Thank your accompanist and your panel on the way out.

Tips & Warnings

• Most schools will provide an accompanist. If your school doesn't, you'll need to hire your own. Recordings don't work as well for auditions.
• You might also prepare a third piece. The panel may want to hear more from you.
• The author of this article was accepted to four vocal music programs and earned a music department scholarship of $10,000 per year to Pepperdine University based on her audition. It's worth the effort.