Singing Guidelines

Please prepare your music for the accompanist - s/he wants your audition to go smoothly as much as you do.

• Bring a copy of your music that is legible and in your key, the accompanist will not transpose it on the spot. If necessary you may need to pay an arranger to write out the song in your key and style.

• Mount your music on cardboard or put it in a notebook so it will not fall off the music holder during your audition! Please, no music books.

• Be sure your music is clearly marked for any deviation in tempo or text (many accompanists follow the text as well as the music).

• A cappella singing, recorded music, or self-accompaniment will not be allowed.

At the audition:

• Tell the accompanist what song you will be performing. If you have any special instructions, be sure to give them to the pianist before you start. Tell the accompanist if you plan to repeat any section of the song. If you plan to take only second endings, please mark through the first ending and instruct the accompanist of your intentions.

• Give your tempo to the accompanist in accurate, professional terms. Ways to indicate tempo include counting it out quietly, humming quietly just a little of the song, or lightly snapping your fingers to the beat. If the song changes tempo in the middle, please tell the accompanist even if it is written in the music.

• Expect the timer to interrupt you when your time is up, that is his/her job and it doesn't have a negative impact on the result of your audition.