DO:
Present your music in a binder or photocopied on card stock
Photocopy so that everything is legible, including all the notes on the bottom of the page and the chord symbols (if any) at the top of the page
Clearly mark any tempo, meter or key changes
Clearly mark the beginning and end
Clearly mark anything unusual you may do within the body of the song (breaks, sudden stops, monologues, etc.)
Bring a copy of your monologue if it precedes the song in the audition
Time your songs in advance
Sing songs that show off your talents as a singer and musician – belt vs. legit, pop vs. classical, good sense of rhythm
Sing songs that show you off as an actor – what is your point of view, what are you trying to say
Sing songs that you can sing in your sleep
Check with your voice teacher, coach or pianist in advance to see how it sight-reads
DON'T:
Ask the pianist to play out of a song book, a score or anything that needs to be propped open. Supply photocopies in a binder or on card stock
Ask the pianist to transpose
Present music from fakebooks
Sing a song for the first time at an audition
Sing a song that you have not already sung with a pianist
TRY NOT TO:
Sing to a cassette tape or CD. Live accompaniment is always better
Ask the pianist to play a song with multiple meter changes (e.g. 3/4 to 5/4 to 4/4)
Updated December 2009
