Dr. Thomas King

~Audition Techniques~

CONCERT STUDIO AUDITIONS & STAGE DEPORTMENT

CONCERT STUDIO PRACTICAL PREPARATION

CONCERT STUDIO ARTS

-SPECIFICS-1a. English resume: list contact information, education, teachers, solo experience, recitals and concerts1b. list of audition pieces for today, list of repertoire ever, different lists for oratorio, recital, concert1c. how to plan an audition notebook for optimal ease for accompanist1d. Accompanist notebook for a real full recital1e. Black folder for oratorio, concert2a. audition for oratorio jobs, network – where are the jobs?2b. suggested repertoire for oratorio audition, English, Latin, other languages?2c. audition for recitals, concerts, network – where are the jobs?, freebies?2d. suggested repertoire for recital and concert audition, languages, English, etc.3a. audition clothes, recital clothes, oratorio clothes (how to match up with the “other” woman), concert clothes, rehearsal clothes4a. Stage Deportment – ORATORIO how to act on stage throughout the concert (they are soooo long), using black folder, naked music, no folder, during solos of others, with orchestra behind you, kleenex, water, lozenges, acknowledging conductor and orchestra, acknowledging other colleagues, who leaves first?, who returns first?, what to wear for rehearsals with orchestra4b. RECITAL stage bows, deportment throughout the recital, using music folder, water, etc., bows with accompanist (Lieder vs. arias), how to treat the accompanist, paying the accompanist, how to plan a recital, play to the audience, educate the audience, enlighten the audience, entertain the audience,5a. Stage Fright, in auditions, how to overcome, self-esteem, positive attitudesSF, in recital, overcome with character, use audience to advantage*(see 4b. above)SF, in oratorio, overcome with strength, conviction, religion, grandness, etc., use audience to advantage *(see 4b above)6a. mock auditions, resume, list, greet, details, calendar, arrangements, use music and folders, memorized, follow up, networking.Thomas King personal repertoire for various occasionsOratorio: Comfort Ye….Valley Messiah Handel, Deposuit Magnificat Bach, In Native Worth Creation HaydnRecital: Sure on this Shining Night Barber, Lydia Fauré, Lorelei Clara Schumann, Allerseelen Strauss, O del mio amato ben DonaudyChurch gig: Lord’s Prayer Malotte, Psalm 23 Liddle, Psalm 84 Liddle, Deep River arr. FreyWedding gig: Lord’s Prayer Malotte, Entreat Me not to Leave Thee Gounod, Simple Gifts CoplandDinner party: sing & play Broadway show tunes, 30’s tunes, 40’s tunes, easy listeningGerman: Dein ist mein ganzes Herz Land des Lächelns Lehár, Lagunenwalzer & Sei mir gegrüßt both from Eine Nacht in Venedig Strauss, Vater, Mutter Undine Lortzing, Robert Stolz Lieder, etc.-NETWORK-Do freebies first to get your name out, Even sing in the chorus of the oratorios for experience and style and “understudy” possibilities.. Where? Church, school community, amateur, start your own….-YOU MUST KNOW-The Star-Spangled Banner . It is great exposure to lots of people!!!-YOU MUST SING FOR ROTARY CLUBS-They give scholarships!!!Soprano repertoireRejoice Greatly & Come unto Him, Messiah Handel, Pie Jesu Requiem Fauré, Et exsultavit, Magnificat BachMezzo repertoireHe Shall feed His Flock & O Thou that Tellest, Messiah Handel, Esurientes and/or Et exsultavit, Magnificat BachBass repertoireThe Trumpet shall Sound, Messiah Handel, Quia fecit, Magnificat Bach2b Messiah and Magnificat are standards, of course there are others!2c churches, synagogues, town halls, even outdoors! Duet recitals with your teacher, a colleague, an instrumentalist, exchange recitals (have done about 30 of these over the years!) SSB see above2d look at your own senior recital, ask your teacher for appropriate pieces, some general crowd pleasers, some for your own soul, some for artistic reasons, some for appeal to specific interest groups (Austrian and German clubs, DAR meetings, Church groups, Synagogues, etc.)3a Ladies, always have basic black, AND be able to spice it up with glitter, scarf, jackets, jewelry, etc. Many young singers overlook rehearsal clothes as a way to be seen and to impress.For concert rehearsals: look nice! Show that it is important to you. You WILL sing better if you feel special and dressed up. If the rehearsal is in a church or synagogue, be especially respectful of the customs (no shorts! UGH, no bare shoulders! UGH, men cover heads in synagogue, etc.)For opera stage rehearsals: wear comfortable clothes, flowing skirts for women (as needed) slacks for pants roles! Jeans? You may wear Jeans IF riding a horse in Girl of the Golden West or Oklahoma!!Overcome Stage Fright  American Institute of Musical Studies   Dr. Thomas King