I've just gotten through with the last round of auditions for my opera program. It's great for me, as a singer, to get a chance to do this and see the process with a different set of eyes. Here are a few suggestions for young singers.
Let's start with wardrobe.
It shouldn't need to be said, but auditions are not the place to go commando or to wear a thong. You may think no one can tell. You may be unpleasantly surprised. Your audition panel certainly will be.
I don't care how much more comfy you are barefoot, it is NOT an option to remove your shoes to sing.
Every woman, big or small, curvy or stick-shaped, can benefit from the miracle of Spanx. Lumps and bumps are really unflattering. At the very least, invest in some support pantyhose.
Ladies, ladies, ladies. You have got. to. get. a. bra. that. fits. No matter what your size, you need a good bra that puts the girls where they 'posed to be. Otherwise, you will look like an Italian grandma from the chin down, even if you're only 22.
Ladies AND gentlemen. Clunky shoes may be cute in your private life, but unless you are singing Fafner, they never, ever, ever look good on stage. And you couldn't walk gracefully in them even if you were a ballet dancer. I'm talking about wedge heels, thick-heeled flats like sandals with cork soles, chunky heels, clunky thick shoes of any kind, for any gender. Girls, you should ALWAYS wear a slight heel.
Ladies AND gentlemen. If you are going to wear shoes that expose your toes, those toes BETTER BE PEDICURED.
Ladies, the very longest your skirt should be is just below the knee, and most of you will look better if it is at the knee or just above. The very highest your skirt should be is an inch or two above the knee, and then only if you have great legs. Lower, you look like a shapeless granny. Higher, you look like you're auditioning for a gentleman's club rather than the opera.
Other rules: iron what needs to be ironed. Polish what needs to be polished. If it's too tight, too loose, too long, or too short, it WILL NOT LOOK GOOD NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO TO IT. Body-skimming clothing (as opposed to tight or baggy) looks good on everyone (and I do mean every one, plus-size divas). Hair out of face. A little makeup, not a lot. Powder the shine. If you're all hot and sweaty, go sit down somewhere and get cool before you come in. Get some gay friends, people!
Now, on to other audition goodies.
Never, ever, ever fail to bring an extra set of materials to an audition, even if you mailed or emailed them in earlier.
Never, ever, ever give attitude to the panel if they ask you for a set of materials. This includes acting surprised that they would ask, or reminding them in a petulant way that you already sent them.
It is lovely if you bring a set of materials for each of the panel, but if you do this, they should be in neat, separate sets, not a big pile of unsorted papers!
You do NOT need to put materials in a folder. They should be stacked, and you can paper clip them if you wish, but no staples or other fasteners.
In the do-I-really-have-to-say-this file:
Take the time to give your pianist the tempo.
Stand where your pianist can see you, and where you can see him.
Face your audience, even if they are only two people. Do not sing to the corner of the room, the ceiling, or the floor. Not sure? Point your toes at the people to whom you are singing.
Never, ever, ever make excuses for yourself or criticize your own singing or in any way indicate to your audience that you think you are anything less than fabulous. Don't do it before you sing. Don't do it while you're singing. Don't do it after you're singing.
And I am very, very, sorry to be the one who has to break this to you, but no. You can NOT sing Queen of the Night, Stride la vampa, and Una furtiva lagrima equally well. The fact that you lack high notes does not make you a mezzo or a baritone; the fact that you lack a chest voice does not make you a soprano or tenor. Don't try to fake it. Don't try to sing stuff you think you should be able to sing but presently can't. Find repertoire that suits you right this very minute, even if you think it's too easy, even if you think it's not where you should be headed, even if you think it doesn't show what you really can do, even if you just lovelovelove it and want desperately to sing it. Hint: if you can't hit the high note (or the low note) every time, it's not ready for auditions. You will impress the adjudicators SO much more if you pick simpler repertoire that you do really well, than something flashy that you aren't quite ready for.
Hope this helps.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.
