11 Tips on auditioning for Cantala-Part 2

 Here are 11 more tips on making the most of your voice and musical talent when auditioning for Cantala.

A successful audition makes your desire to sing in an award winning choir become a reality.

·         Arrive on time, perhaps even a few minutes early. Nobody sings well arriving out of breath and feeling winded.

·         Take three deep silent breaths. This will help to center, calm, and lower your breath in preparation for you to sing your best.

·         Warm up before you come, even for just a couple of minutes. There is usually no time allotted to warm up in the audition and often you are nervous. Establishing your singing beforehand yields more confidence from you.

·         Bring more than one piece (ideally memorized so they are well learnt) just in case the conductor needs to hear more to get to know your voice. Different styles other than classical are welcome (jazz, blues, pop).

·         Be comfortable to sing your song(s) with accompaniment (if you are singing a piece with accompaniment). For example, know when to come in.

·         Take your time before starting any musicianship exercise. It is not a test of speed, but accuracy.

·         Feel confident that you are going to present your best singing possible. “Fake it ‘til you make it”.

·         Know when and where the choir rehearses, so you know you are available to join the choir before the audition takes place.

·         Be flexible to singing different choral parts. Try not to not have your heart stuck on what you have always sung (for example, Soprano 1) if the conductor feels your voice would suit another part better OR if the choir needs you to sing a different part to balance out the group OR if it is suggested that you should sing a different part to gain experience singing harmony (again, the example of singing soprano 1 for your entire choral career). Be a team player, flexible and open minded.

·         Relax! Almost all auditions are not perfect. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses that they bring to Cantala (many are not confident with their sight reading and some don’t have much knowledge of music theory ). This is ok as long as you show enthusiasm for hard work and for the desire to learning and challenge yourself.

·         Tell the conductor you are passionate about singing in a choir that strives for the highest musical standards, as this is a quality of every Cantala singer.