Preparing for the big audition!

​Often, when I tell my students I have an upcoming audition I’m preparing for they say, “Woah, you still have to audition?” 
 
Yes, even professional singers still audition. I’d like to share with you my most recent audition experience.
 
In September, I was asked to re-audition for a gig that I’ve held since before Covid. It is not strange to be asked to re-audition…things change in a year and a half! I was thrilled to get the chance to sing live for humans again! 
 
In preparation, I took 2 lessons with my own voice teacher (YES, I still take my own voice lessons as the voice is always growing and changing…and aging!). We warmed up, and worked through technique for my chosen repertoire.  The company asked for 1 aria/art song in English and one in either French, Italian, or German.
 
I chose “Joy” by Ricky Ian Gordon and “Du gai soleil” from the opera Werther.  I love singing both of those pieces, and they fit my voice well.  They are also just different enough to be exciting and show off a couple of higher notes where my voice sparkles! 
 
The company also asked that we prepare to sight-sing. This is always so nerve-wracking! They give you several lines of notes and a starting pitch. After 30 seconds of looking over it, you must begin!  I look for the key, any tricky rhythmic places, wide intervals, or accidentals. I trust my musicianship and use a combination of solfege, pretend piano playing with my fingers, and interval recall to sing through the line. My best advice is to just keep going! Try not to judge yourself as you’re singing through. Did I sing the lines with 100% accuracy? No way…but I did keep going, trying to nail the rhythm and accidentals! As someone who is a much better “preparer” than “on the spot” singer, I was relieved when I came to the end! 
 
Auditions are always nerve-inducing, but if you prepare fully you’ll be less nervous. Allow yourself to really become your character, so you’re not thinking about anything else. You can’t truly be present as your character if you’re thinking about your dress, what the conductor is thinking, or what you’ll have for dinner 
 
I walked out of my audition feeling grateful and fulfilled. I sang for an actual human being!!! It was truly thrilling.