Spending way too much time on my own…so I’ll post yet again…
VP is really a different animal from many instruments where I do think it’s easier to “read” where you belong. Serious voice training should not begin until in the mid-teens. As the body grows and changes (even for girls but particularly for boys) it can be very difficult to “polish” a new-found but ever-changing voice.
So what gets judged? Of course, you need to be able to fulfill the repertoire requests and be able to sing in at least one but usually 2 foreign languages. The basics ARE required to get to the audition. Besides that I would guess:
1.) SOUND, SOUND, SOUND - Do you make a beautiful sound? And what kind of singer are you? Are you technical but less power. Are you a powerful but less able to do technique. Both can get acceptances. But at the end of the day…is it a beautiful, authentic sound you produce? Being able to sing the basics AND make a beautiful sound is key, imho.
2.) Performance - Are you comfortable in front of the panel. Do you display musicality. Are you “in the pocket” of the music even if you stumble a bit here or there technically. Technique can be worked on. Musicality…you either have it or you don’t. And you need a degree of stage presence…a lot can certainly help!
3.) Preparation - Do you know the rules of classical VP auditions, are you dressed appropriately and did you come prepared to your audition. Are you coachable, easy to work with, have a “sunny” dispostion…all that good stuff.
Key to success: Do NOT manipulate the sound of your voice to sound older or more mature or like someone else (usually a famous singer much older than you!). Over the summer, work on YOUR authentic sound. Get comfortable with it and believe in it. NO one sounds like you…and that’s what they will be listening for. And pick music that highlights YOUR sound. That is why it is more important to pick a basic song that highlights your sound over a technical song that only shows you are not ready for that yet (and may distract from your sound).
Well…that’s my rant for the day…lol.
Wow, you’ve all been so incredibly helpful and it’s nice to know I’m not alone in these feelings (and my daughter too)
@MomOfSingers I can totally relate to your son’s feelings about his voice! My daughter had a year prob around 14 or so where she had a breathy sound and lost a bit of her higher range (adolescence) and it was very tough mentally! I can only imagine what some males go through!
I think it was around that age that she really started “thinking too much” when singing. I don’t hear as much freedom as there used to be as she tries to control everything.
@coloraturagirl when did your daughter go to BUTI? My daughter was there summer 2018! She skipped last year, but knew a bunch of kids that went from the year before.
She does check out masterclasses but I will definitely have her search around for specific school performances and what not.
@bridgenail , great points.
Sound- working a lot right now on resonance and bright vowels. She can get closed off, so hopefully the extra time this summer will help with that.
Luckily she’s had many performance opportunities through the years and is very comfortable performing.
She actually thrives on the pressure of that. This is where competitions were helpful for her!
Repertoire list is pretty good and with multiple languages…although, I think she should definitely work on some German and French diction over the summer.
All your responses really have me feeling a bit better…like she will be well prepared and not everything has to be perfect. That’s the hardest part esp with video submissions. You can keep finding fault and she’s good at that! A live is actually easier, I think! She has much to work on, but pulling from your experiences is really a relief!
One last thought, any ideas regarding social media presence? Have you ever gotten advice for kids to delete or hidden? There is nothing inappropriate or anything, but I’ve noticed that often when headed to college some channels of people we’ve known or followed disappear.
@Pl1277 , my kid voluntarily took himself off social media two years back. He said it was making him crazy. So he had no social media presence. That said, his school (a performing arts school for classical musicians) did tell all the seniors to consider taking down their social media, making it private, or really going through it and not only removing any questionable post, but any post that may contain offensive replies by their friends. So there is that… Another of my sons is more of a musical theatre kid and more directors than I’d like actually do ask, in audition notices, for actors with social media followings of a certain amount. So I think the classical world has a different take on everything. I am sure other people have different experiences than my family.
@MomOfSingers - I had no idea about the side of the performance world you mention in the post above: “Another of my sons is more of a musical theatre kid and more directors than I’d like actually do ask, in audition notices, for actors with social media followings of a certain amount.”
Wow, so much pressure to be on social media!
(Also, PM’d you a while back…)
Many professional theaters/opera houses encourage posts by performers/musicians. They make sure that the cast knows the #s to use. Smaller companies are particularly vocal/needy about this. Still I have never heard about it impacting casting. I would say that the majority of performers do NOT participate. My D does (that’s how I see it). It’s usually my D and a couple other cast members posting. She has also done the promotion/social media outreach (paid) for one company that she has performed with multiple times. She has an interest in the promotional side. However she has a more successful friend who nevers participates and it has not impacted her. Conversely, it has not been a golden ticket for my D…but a nice creative outlet that she enjoys. Her posts now do not include friends, family etc…mainly local shows and other artists. It is also a promotional tool for herself as an independent artist.