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I have an audition - can you help me?

Susan Hayes • 30 June 2020

Yes, of course I will help you prepare for your audition

When is your audition?

a) If you are a professional performer (actor/singer), you may only get 24 hours-a couple of days notice to learn/prepare your audition material

b) If you are auditioning for a further or higher education music course, you are likely to have a couple of weeks or months to prepare

c) If you are auditioning for a solo or a part in a school/college show, you normally get a few weeks notice


Check the audition requirements carefully

Every audition you attend will have it's own set of individual audition criteria and you must ensure you fulfil this criteria with what you prepare.

a) & b)

For example, you may need to prepare an audition cut of your song that is 12 bars or 36 bars etc. Or they may request a 1 minute or 2 minute section. This means you will need to have the sheet music printed out for those cuts to be marked onto the score for the audition pianist. It is unlikely you will get to have a run through with the audition pianist before your audition.

Depending on what you are auditioning for, you may be asked to prepare two contrasting songs from your repertoire (existing song list), an extract of dialogue from a script, or a sample of scales & technical exercises. You may even be tested on your music reading knowledge & sight singing ability, or be asked to learn a completely new song that gets sent out to you that you have never heard or sung before.

c)

For this type of audition, it is normal to be asked to prepare a verse and chorus of your chosen song, or the 'set' song for the character you are auditioning for. It is always better if you sing the song from memory. You may be auditioning with a backing track, an accompanist or acapella.


Book a lesson with me

And I will help you to prepare your song(s) and feel confident about your audition  

Book audition prep session
21 December 2020
Lesson packages of 4 weeks, 6 weeks or 8 weeks available in the shop. Gift cards available on my separate gift card site - accessed via the shop.
20 December 2020
Photos of the Wigan teaching studio
by Susan Hayes 3 July 2020
Here is some advice for you Consistency - in lesson attendance and PRACTISE Consistent attendance to lessons plays a key role in exam success, as does regular and structured practice between lessons. At least 2 months prior to your exam, you should be practising towards your singing exam for at least 10 minutes per day. (More for the higher grades.) That includes warming up your voice & developing your ability to sing your songs all the way through fluently without mistakes. If you have any supplementary tests/spoken introductions/technical exercises/discussion questions to prepare, these must be practised too. Memorisation & Performance It is always better for singers to perform their songs from memory, as it helps to communicate the story in the song to the examiner. (Most exam boards require songs to be from memory.) As the exam draws closer, you should include work on your stage presence, gesture, emotion and facial expressions, when you are practising your exam songs at home/between lessons. The songs are a performance, so singers must understand what they are singing about and convey their emotional response(s) to the songs when singing them. NO CRAMMING!! It is important for you to build your vocal stamina gradually. It is much better to practise singing in short segments each day, than to try and cram in 2 hours of practise all on 1 day. I advise you against cramming. Don't leave all your singing exam practise to the week before your exam. You are likely to lose your voice that way! The more you practise at the beginning of the exam learning period, the better prepared you will be. Parents I ask that you assist your child with their organisation towards their exam – help them to pack their bag the night before their singing exam, to ensure they have packed everything they need: e.g. Grade book, programme, lyric sheets for the examiner, mp3 player and speaker, sheet music, costume & props, microphone, photo ID, exam attendance notice. Also, please look in on some practise sessions. Perhaps your child could give a practise performance to you at home and you could help them by asking questions about their character and the emotions & story in their songs. This would be of great benefit to your child and help them fully prepare for their singing exam. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SINGING EXAM!
singing journey pathway first lesson
by Susan Hayes 28 June 2020
For me your first singing lesson is a great way to get to know all about you, your voice and your favourite musical styles For you y our first singing lesson is a chance to share your musical dreams with me and then we begin our journey together on your chosen pathway towards reaching your singing goals
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