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).

typing things in caps or bold-face is off-putting. If you don't want to be considered for a YAP there are many ways to say it. Your picture alone is worth a thousand words!

I think all caps are generally construed as yelling in the on-line/typewritten world. (SEE, I'M YELLING AT YOU NOW! AHHHHHHH!) Good point, George. I mean, GOOD POINT, GEORGE!

I would put a recommendation, if you have one, in the first sentence or two. Otherwise those are all wonderful tips!



Don't grow a wishbone where your backbone should be.

i like to start with. My name is, interested in, Mr. Big Wig Jones suggested that I submit my materials for your consideration.

I know this is considered a given in terms of researching the companies you will audition for, but don't forget your research when you start writing the letter!

For instance I can think of one or two companies for whom "I was a fireman in the 90s" might carry considerable weight. If at all possible, know whether the person receiving your letter is looking for strictly-business, or for an interesting PR angle.

NT

nt

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for the person on the main forum, and for "the season".

weeeeeeeeee.

.

FEINGOLD IN 2008

nt

now i feel like i did a terrible job on my cover letter!

I was writing some cover letters recently and realized that I was repeating a lot of the info that was already in my bio and other materials. So I ended up making the letter itself pretty short and sweet, so the person receiving it wouldn't get "Fact Fatigue."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"You miss one hundred percent of the shots you never take." --- Wayne Gretzky

First, a link to Cindy Sadler's treatment of the same topic at www.thebusinessofsinging.com:

"What do I put in a cover letter?"

Next, some earlier threads on the topic on the Main Forum (omitting the thread from which LBG's original post is taken):

I need feedback on a cover letter...please help (3/18/2004)

Is a cover letter always necessary? (9/8/2003)

Cover letters (8/29/2002)

Baritonobasso

"The students are overstimulated. Willie, remove all the colored chalk from the classrooms!"

Just don't wanna have to keep searching for the same thread

Should I specify which role I'd like to audition for?