Per HT's request, I'm posting this on the FAQ forum (and I added a #8, too!).
HANDY TIPS FOR WRITING A NICE COVER LETTER
1. never put "Dear Sir or Ma'am" or "Dear auditions coordinator", etc. Always find out what the actual name of the person is, either by calling the company or looking on their website. Then begin the letter, "Dear Ms.Jingleheimer" or whatever...
2. keep it to one page and as short as possible.
3. State what you want in the beginning of the letter: "I am writing to request a house audition"...." I would like to apply for your young
artist program", "I am a young mezzo-soprano interested in auditioning for your XYZ".
4. In the middle of the letter, reference any past experience that would make you stand out to the reader of the letter: "I was a finalist in the Lieber Awards in 2000" or "I have fond memories of singing in your
Porgy and Bess chorus in 1995" or "I worked with Bob the General Director at Bob's World Famous Music Festival and I would love to sing for him again". If you have no past experience with the company, you could maybe mention an upcoming role that you are preparing for. It looks good if you have upcoming engagements, and they will see this on your resume, but you might want to mention just one thing in your cover letter anyway.
5. The big no-no: Looking like a jack-of-all-trades in the cover letter. It's common for people to mention non-musical work experience in the cover letter (I was a fireman in the late 90's...), as well as hobbies or
other musings like the recent weather fiasco, and it's just not necessary. Stick to the relevant subject, based on whatever company you are writing to. And I know I have told you this before but Opera companies look down on Broadway experience. Oratorio and Concert stuff is OK.
6. End by saying something like "Thank you for considering my application", etc
7. I have gotten a ton of cover letter and resume stuff from the internet too (for myself), in terms of proper language, etc...try putting "cover letter" in Google...
8. Some people look at a cover letter with a big long paragraph in the middle and psychologically shut down because it seems overwhelming. You want them to
read every word, so sound-bites are the key(paragraphs w/only 2-4 sentences).
This message has been edited by lizardbrethgrape on Mar 23, 2004 7:38 PM
