Breaking Down Auditions: A Step-by-Step Guide
Whether you’re a student, a professional musician, or a passionate hobbyist looking to join a local choir or theatre production, you’ll probably have to audition at some point. Unfortunately, the process of auditioning can feel like something lifted directly from an anxiety dream: standing alone in front of a group of strangers whose whole job is to judge you based off one performance. With this in mind, it’s not surprising that auditions are a major source of stress for musicians and a common reason many singers seek out a vocal coach.
While we can’t make auditioning 100% stress free, we are firm believers that knowledge is power here at Love Your Voice and that breaking big tasks into smaller steps can make them that much more manageable. With that in mind, we’ve broken the audition process into steps, from research to self-care after the fact.
1. Research what you need to prepare and what to expect at your audition.
If your only experience with auditioning is what you’ve seen on TV and movies, you may be surprised to learn that there’s a lot more to most auditions than signing up or waiting in line for your chance to sing your favorite tune. The process can vary dramatically depending on what you’re auditioning for, so thorough research for each audition you do is a critical first step. What you learn from your research will guide everything you do going forward.
Take some time to research not just what music you have to prepare, but what the auditioning experience will be like and any additional materials you might need to bring with you. For example, college auditions frequently require you to demonstrate other musical skills like sight-singing while a musical theatre audition may require multiple songs in varying styles. Many auditions will ask you to send in recordings or performance footage as a first step; making sure you have all the requested files in the correct format is essential to getting an in-person audition. Most listings will be upfront with what you need to prepare and any additional requirements you may need to fulfill (gigs that require special costuming like some cruise ships have height and weight requirements, for example), but if for some reason they don’t, backstage.com is a great resource.
Research is crucial for more than just setting your mind at ease. Unlike a traditional job listing that might include preferable skills or experience you don’t actually need to get hired, audition requirements are just that - requirements. Directors, producers, and record labels don’t just want someone who’s a great singer, they want someone who will be great to work with. Showing up prepared speaks as much about your potential for success at a gig as your singing abilities.
2. Pick the right song (or songs).
The research you did in Step 1 will guide your song choice, but there are a few universals to keep in mind. Unless you’re auditioning for a gig that is specifically seeking original songs and singer-songwriters, stick to recognizable covers. The point of an audition is not to show how good you are on one song, but rather to show your potential as a performer by demonstrating your range, pitch, rhythm, and stage presence. It’s a lot easier for judges to gauge how good you are at keeping time and staying in tune if they’re familiar with the song you’re singing.
Don’t pick a song that’s too challenging or that requires a huge diva range (unless you happen have a huge diva range). Find a song that you can nail every time you sing it, not just when the planets are aligned. Stretching and pushing yourself is great during practice sessions and lessons, but the goal is to show the judges what you can do right now, not what you’re learning. Plus, anyone who’s experienced intense stage fright knows it can become a lot harder to sing when your body is in panic mode; pick a song that’s well within your comfort zone so that you can sing beautifully even with a bad case of nerves.
3. Practice - and we don’t just mean your song.
There’s a saying in the entertainment industry: amateurs practice until they get it right, professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong. This saying rings especially true when it comes to auditions. Intense stress and anxiety can cause our minds to go blank; commit everything you need to sing and say to muscle memory to save yourself from a stage fright mind wipe. Whether you're singing a cappella or singing along to a track, practice finding your starting note. As always when prepping for a performance, pay close attention to your entrances and key changes. Whether you plan to have stage movement or stand still, practice that too! It’s amazing how fidgety some of us get when we’re nervous. Filming yourself or having a trusted friend or teacher watch one of your practice runs can be helpful for catching those unconscious anxious movements.
Of course, auditioning is more than just walking on stage and singing a song. You have to enter the audition space, introduce yourself, and thank the judges when you’re done. If you’re auditioning for a TV competition, you’ll need to have a bio prepared (the producers are as concerned with how interesting you are as they are with how well you can sing). Memorize and practice everything you’ll have to say and practice walking into the audition space.
You may even want to practice getting to the audition. If you’re driving, it’s a good idea to make sure you know exactly where you’re going, where you’re going to park, and what traffic is like on your route. Really, you can and should practice anything you’re worried about going awry, whether that’s taking the train to the audition location or getting your own name right when introducing yourself.
4. Prepare your mind, body, and go bag a few days before.
Once you’ve memorized everything that you can memorize, it’s time to start physically prepping for the audition. In the days leading up to your event, try to limit your caffeine intake and drink plenty of water and herbal tea. Not only can caffeine dry your vocal cords and trigger acid reflux, it can exacerbate the physical and mental symptoms of anxiety. Hydrate well and take good care of your voice by eating well and avoiding over-use. If you’re experiencing anxiety, now is a good time to learn some deep breathing exercises, find a guided meditation you like, or develop another relaxation strategy you can use in the days and hours leading up to your audition.
Organize your outfit, make up if you wear it, and your go-bag the night before. We go over singer’s go-bags in depth in another article, but there are some audition-specific additions to consider. Headphones or earbuds are prefect for listening warm-up materials, guided meditations and breathing exercises, or even your audition tracks. If you’re doing an open call where you may need to wait in line prior to your audition, a camp chair and an umbrella to protect yourself from sun or rain are great additions to your kit. Charge up your phone or any other electronics you need to have with you during your audition.
5. Arrive early and be ready to hurry up and wait.
Whatever kind of audition you’re attending, leave yourself plenty of time to get there early. Your commute and your wait are a great time to do some gentle warmups and vocal rejuvenator exercises. Eat a light meal about two hours before your audition time and avoid talking too much or too loudly. The wait is a great time to pop in your headphones and listen to your warm up or backing tracks, or a relaxation tool if you have one.
6. Do your best.
When it’s finally your turn, go in and do your best. Remember that your best differs from day to day and moment to moment. Don’t worry about the outcome - there are so many factors that go into passing an audition that have nothing to do with you or your performance - just focus on doing your best and enjoying the act of performing.
7. Thank the judges for their time.
Remember that auditioning is about more than just being a great singer, it’s about being a great person to work with. Thank the judges for the opportunity. If you’re told in that moment that you haven’t passed the audition, stay calm and politely ask what you can improve. Don’t argue or get defensive, just listen and mentally stash the information you’re getting for later; direct feedback can be invaluable for making your next audition even more successful. Thank them for the feedback and their time before heading out.
8. Go home, relax, and reward yourself for a job well done!
Whether you pass or fail, you’ve succeeded by doing your best and completing an audition. Make yourself a cup of tea or cocoa (or really whatever your favorite comforting hot beverage is) and relax. You’ve done an incredible amount of work over the last several days and weeks, and have likely been experiencing a lot of anxiety. Give yourself the rest of the day to decompress and reward yourself with some self-care, whether it’s a home spa day, a favorite meal, or a movie night - whatever self-care means to you.
Emotions can run nearly as high after an audition as before and during. We’ll speak more about navigating the emotions of auditioning in an upcoming article, but we do want to offer this bit of wisdom: it’s okay to fail. Superstars like Elvis and the Beatles faced rejection multiple times before getting their big break. Your value as a person - let alone a musician - is not defined by the outcome of a single audition and there are many factors that affect the outcome that have nothing to do with you or your performance. Take what you’ve learned and approach your next audition wiser and more confident.
Book a Lesson Now to Start Prepping for Your Next Audition
We hope these steps make your next audition a little easier and far less stressful. We’ll be speaking more about the different types of auditions as well as how to get through the emotional minefield of auditioning in future articles, but don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need help prepping for your own audition. Having a voice coach to help you navigate audition prep is one of the best ways to make the whole process easier. If you want to contact Zelda and set up a lesson, you can click this link.
Break a leg at your next audition - and don’t forget to love yourself and love you voice!
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