If you are auditioning for a musical, your song(s) might just be the most important factor in whether or not you are chosen for the role. You need to show not only the quality and beauty in your voice, but how you can use your voice to convey a character.

Choosing Your Audition Songs

Look at your audition songs not only for how well they show off your singing technique and range of your voice, but how well they show off the technique and range of your acting. Look at each song's lyrics alone, as if it were a monologue, and speak it. If you find yourself slipping into the character somewhat easily, or see potential in it, then try it with the music and see if it's melody is as effective. If you don't relate to a song or understand what its really about, then you have no business singing it in an audition.

The Up-Tempo Song and The Ballad

You will almost always have two chances to show off your voice and acting skills in a singing audition: the up-tempo song, and the ballad. This means you will have the chance to bring two characters to life. Choose two songs as different in emotion as possible, because this shows your acting range. If you can perform two very different emotions well then the audition panel will assume you can perform all the emotions in between.

Performing Order

At a singing audition, always perform the song you are most comfortable with first. If you are equally comfortable with both songs, perform the up-tempo first, because if you are nervous it won't be as noticeable. As well, up-tempo songs are great stress-relievers because of their, well, tempo. When performing ballads, a nervous voice will easily break during long, drawn-out phrases, so it's best to save your ballad for after you've loosened up.

Movement

Do not 'stage' or 'block' your song. All your energy should go into the emotion in your voice, not in 'being emotional' while you sing. Moving a bit naturally is fine, but don't plan it out. Remember that the audition panel wants to see and hear your singing in a singing audition. If they want to see you dance, they'll ask you to a dance audition.

What Are They Looking For In Singing Auditions?

Your sheet music should...

• be clean and easy to read and free from unnecessary marks
• be in the correct key and with cuts clearly marked (do NOT expect the accompanist to transpose for you!)
• attached at the edges or in a binder so that it is easy for the accompanist to use

Make sure you know...

• what the song is about
• what show it is from
• what character sings the song and why
• where and when the song is sung in the show
• all the words
• the whole song, not just the 16 bars you have chosen (they may ask you for more)
• how to work with an accompanist

The following is a rubric used by a highschool to score singing auditions:

 

 
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