Although I’ve auditioned for various groups or shows a couple dozen times in my life, and although I’ve attended numerous workshops on auditioning, nothing compares to the experience of being an auditioner.  Running auditions for Vocal Point and Noteworthy taught me more than I could’ve imagined.  So although this blog is about managing and directing groups, I hope the topic still relates.  Furthermore, if you have a friend that manages a group, or has at least sat on the other side of the audition table, ask them for advice.  If you don’t have any such friend, don’t hesitate to contact the director of the group you’re about to audition for.  Most directors are happy to answer questions – plus it shows your forethought and excitement about joining the group.

The single most important thing about choosing an audition song is that you choose something that shows off your voice.  That can’t be stressed enough.  We want to hear all your best stuff.  That not only means picking something suited for your range, but also something that doesn’t sell you short.  When we hear you sing, we won’t be imagining the background music in our heads – instead we’re just listening to you.  For example, in “Harder to Breathe” by Maroon 5, the verse only has two notes and the chorus doesn’t have much more.  Show off your range, show off your style.  Show off!

Most contemporary a cappella groups sing... surprise, surprise… contemporary music.  So you probably don’t want to walk in singing classical, world, barbershop, religious, or other unrelated styles.  You’d be surprised how many people miss this obvious point.  Look at the repertoire of the group you’re trying to join, and conform yourself to that.  It makes it much easier for them to picture you singing with them.  This doesn’t rule out jazz music entirely, but only sing something jazzy if you’re really good at jazz singing, or if the group you’re auditioning for does a significant amount of jazz.

Don’t sing someone’s signature song.  No matter how good you sing “New York, New York,” or “Unforgettable,” we’re going to think of Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.  That doesn’t apply just to older singers.  The same can be said of Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful.”  We’re going to compare you to Christina whether you like it or not, and she’s not a voice most people want to compete with.

Along those same lines, the very best audition songs are ones that have been sung by many different people.  One of the greatest audition pieces I ever heard was a girl who auditioned for Noteworthy singing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” in her own style.  It’s been done a million times, so when she was singing it, I wasn’t comparing her to another singer, but rather just enjoying her rendition.

Another thing that made that audition great was that she sang the song in a style that was true to her vocal ability.  One of the worst things you can do in an audition is try to sing a style that you just don’t have.  If you can’t sing runs and licks, don’t even try ‘em (at least not in an audition).  If you can’t sing low, pitch your song up a little.  If you don’t have that high G, choose a different song.

It’s not a requirement, but if you pick something a little unique, it’ll help you stand out.  The best audition I ever saw for Vocal Point was a kid who sang the theme from the Folgers commercial.  Who does that?  He did it in a funny, original style that really showed off his voice.  We were smiling the whole time.  When we looked over the audition sheets later, we said, “Oh that’s the Folgers kid – he was awesome.”  Of course he got called back, and ended up making the group (he’s now entering his third year with them). Try to be memorable.

At the same time, I strongly discourage singing an original song.  Some people argue this point.  It’s good to show your originality, but again, you want your auditioners to be focusing on your voice and not thinking “what song is this?” the whole time.  Even if you announce it’s an original tune, they’re still trying to get the gist of the song instead of paying attention to how well you sing.  For the same reason, I usually counsel people to avoid obscure songs in general.  Sing something we probably know.

Choose a song that allows you to sing the whole time.  It sounds silly, but I never understand it when people choose a song that has a measure of singing, and then three measures of instrument music.  You’re here to show off your voice.  It’s so awkward when people sing a line, then stand around with their eyes clothes imagining how the background part goes.  And no, snapping doesn’t fill the time.

At most auditions, they’ll usually ask you for 16 or 32 bars, or 60 seconds, or a verse and chorus, or whatever.  Choose the part of the song that best shows off your voice.  This is rarely the beginning.  Sometimes it’s the bridge, but usually not.  A single verse and a single chorus are usually sufficient.  In deciding between verses, choose whichever one you feel most emotionally connected to.

You could fill another column or two with advice on auditioning, such as arrive early, wear something appropriate, arrived already warmed up, bring a performance resume and photo, don’t waste audition time drinking a gallon of water, smile a lot, look at your auditioners in the eyes, get into the music with hand and body motions, etc.  But you know all that stuff.

Bottom line: you should find a recognizable song that shows off your voice and allows your auditioners to focus on how great you are.  Good luck!

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