<p>1.) I have already started my college applications. I have realized that my email address is not very professional. I made my address in elementary school and named it after my favorite choir song at the time. I also have several numbers in my address. So my email address is about singing, but I’m not sure if it is “professional” enough for applications. I have already started 6 of my applications. (I will end up doing 11-16) I check this email address multiple times a day, but I’ve realized having a college only address might be nice. Should I change it or leave it alone? </p>
<p>2) What should students wear for prescreens? I was thinking I would wear a nice skirt I have (full black skirt that goes a couple inches past the knee) and a nice top. My mom means the best, but she suggested that I wear a gown. Based on what I’ve read here, I thought gowns would be a bit much for prescreens and auditions. My mom doesn’t believe me, and I’m not sure why. What should girls wear for prescreens, and should this differ from audition attire? I know that black is standard, but would it be okay if I wanted to wear a pink blouse or cardigan?</p>
<p>I’mThinking, I suggest you create a new email address. Firstname.lastname[at]gmail (or wherever) is a good professional-sounding choice. You can have it forwarded to the same inbox, or forward email from your old address to that one. Gmail has a feature that lets you sent messages from a choice of addresses if you set it up correctly.</p>
<p>Some people create a special email address just for applications. But, yes, I think people do judge you, consciously or not, if you have a childish or unprofessional-sounding address.</p>
<p>As for prescreens, (unless you’re a singer, as they seem to have separate rules-- Mezzon’smom will weigh in) wear something that won’t distract from your performance.</p>
<p>I’m alright with making a new email account. I just had the realization that I had done this while I was filling out a new application today. I am not great with the internet… how do I have emails forwarded to my new address once I make a new one? Can I just go back to the applications that I started and change the email addresses for all of them? I guess I can figure that out myself… I will just try it. </p>
<p>I am a singer. I know that large jewelry won’t be a good idea because it would distract, but I’m not quite sure about what other items or colors would be considered distracting. In life I normally dress to stand out, I think.</p>
<p>Defnitely do a new email! If you’re using something like gmail, you can link the new account to your regular one (just make sure you pull down the menu for the correct address when replying).</p>
<p>No vocalist experience here (MEZZOMAMA where are you?!) but my uninformed recommendation would be something professional looking and not distracting to the audience. You want to showcase your talent, not your appearance. (Reassure mom that the gown will be wonderful for your senior recital!)</p>
<p>Consider this an interview not a performance. For singers NO gowns. A good professional looking dress with at least 3/4 length sleeves, going to near the knees. One that would be considered a good day time office dress. Solid color, it does not have to be black. Simple jewelry, hair back but not up in a fancy do. Good pumps, not stilettos. </p>
<p>BTW - DD uses a pop of color, either the dress or the shoes for some individuality instead of all black. She has worn red shoes with black, nude shoes with blue, black shoes with a red dress. Depends on her mood.</p>
<p>You should be able to change your email address on all the apps you have started but not yet submitted.</p>
<p>Definitely try to look professional and not like you are going to a party. You want to look like you mean business, since you are a serious student. No gown. If you are a jazz singer you can be more hip and trendy than just solids. But in general it is better to be more conservative than over the top.</p>
<p>Sorry all, it was Doctor Who season premier weekend so I was pre-occupied!</p>
<p>Good advice on the e-mail address, and using a separate one will help you keep things straight too.</p>
<p>And singersmom07 was spot on with the clothing directive. A solid color dress is best, prints are distracting and can take on a life of their own in a camera lens-and avoid light colors as they wash out on recordings. Avoid the skirt and blouse because you don’t want to be “cut in half” visually. Small earrings, studs preferred, if you have pierced ears, no large clunky necklaces or patterned scarves. If you’re comfortable singing in heels (my D almost never wears flats to sing- I think she was born in heels!), by all means wear them. Keep your hair off of your face (and don’t fuss with it when you’re singing) and wear tasteful makeup, no wild eye shadow or spiky lashes and make sure that your blusher looks natural and “healthy”. Stick with a dress at this stage, even if you think you’re a mezzo, because you don’t want to pigeon-hole yourself if your voice changes down the road. The same advice applies when you go for your in-person auditions; take a sweater along because those buildings can get cold in the winter time.
Wishing you the best of luck and keep asking questions if you need anything!</p>
<p>Just a note: if you wear heels in your audition, occaissonally practice in heels as well. And be sure to sing your rep for your teacher while wearing heels.</p>
<p>I don’t have any advice about clothes, because my kid is a boy. I do want to comment on the number of schools you are applying to. 11-16 is a lot, I think, even if you are doing pre-screens. Have a look at the projected auditon dates. If you pass all of your pre-screens, are you going to be able to manage all of those auditions? My son applied to 7 schools, and it seemed like we were constantly on the road between December and March.</p>
<p>electricbassmom brings up an important point: as a young singer, you need to be extra careful with your number of auditions and the number you’ve listed is a lot. A relative safety or two, 2-3 good fits and 2 “reach” schools are plenty for a VP major. Print out calendars of December through March and pencil in all possible audition dates for the schools you’re considering. See if any have non binding EA auditions that you could do in December- or is there a school you love which had ED that you would accept if offered? That’s one way to narrow things. Some schools accept DVD or audition submissions via YouTube or other link; while most kids come off better in person, that is an option if you have to use it. Also, do consider that each application has a fee connected with it and some of those have gotten pretty large!
Make a list of what each school requires for auditions- usually an Italian piece and an English one, and pay attention because if they say “no arias”, they mean it and want Art Songs. Applications are up now, so you can get started on your statements and be sure to ask your references if they are willing to write letters and let them know the deadlines.
In spite of all of this chaos, you have to remember to get plenty of rest, drink gallons of water, get your flu shot now, use hand sanitizer and stay well. Don’t worry, it looks harder than it is and you’re going to have to do it all over again four years from now for grad school- you’ll be an old pro at organization by that time!</p>