Audition Workshop
One day workshop for up to 12 singers
Two group sessions: audition repertoire and mock audition
Morning Session
1. Audition fears/Audition strengths/Audition preparation
(approx. 45 mins)
Questionnaire and group discussion - why do we choose arias that don’t work for us?
Distribution and discussion of "Singer’s tips": helpful hints for auditioning singers re: preparation, health, mental toughness etc.
What do I wear? A discussion of age- and physical type-appropriate clothing for both male and female singers
Group session using exercises and focus work to prepare for the audition situation
2. What’s my Fach? How to choose your audition arias
(15 mins)
Discussion of what producers are looking for: How to fit yourself into an identifiable ‘fach’
The Big Five and the all-important First Aria. We centre in on the crucial "starting" aria and how it impacts on what a jury might choose as a second aria, building the audition program so that the strongest aspects of each singer’s talents come to the fore.
* BREAK *
3. Practical session with singers
(60 mins)
Work with singers individually to demonstrate appropriate repertoire choices using clues from questionnaire and with feedback from the group and singers themselves
(approx. 45 mins)
Questionnaire and group discussion - why do we choose arias that don’t work for us?
Distribution and discussion of "Singer’s tips": helpful hints for auditioning singers re: preparation, health, mental toughness etc.
What do I wear? A discussion of age- and physical type-appropriate clothing for both male and female singers
Group session using exercises and focus work to prepare for the audition situation
2. What’s my Fach? How to choose your audition arias
(15 mins)
Discussion of what producers are looking for: How to fit yourself into an identifiable ‘fach’
The Big Five and the all-important First Aria. We centre in on the crucial "starting" aria and how it impacts on what a jury might choose as a second aria, building the audition program so that the strongest aspects of each singer’s talents come to the fore.
* BREAK *
3. Practical session with singers
(60 mins)
Work with singers individually to demonstrate appropriate repertoire choices using clues from questionnaire and with feedback from the group and singers themselves
Afternoon Session: Mock Audition
1. Mock Audition
(approx. 90 mins.)
In the final session we do a mock audition, so that the singers have the opportunity to
try out their audition material and "present" themselves as they would to a potential employer, yet in a supportive and critically constructive situation
The singers who have been chosen come dressed and prepared to "audition" for the group. The singer introduces him/herself, telling the "jury" which aria they would like to begin with. After the first choice, the jury decides as a group which aria they would like to hear next, with a possibility of a third choice also being heard. During the audition process, all participants are encouraged to make detailed notes of their colleague’s performances, to be used in the ensuing discussion. Special consideration should be given to the observation of the usefulness or non-usefulness of artistic choices, as well as to the effectiveness of the particular arias, the presence of blockages/interference of the performing modes or freedom of same, and the aesthetic effect of the performer on the jury. Again the emphasis is on constructive and objective criticism
* BREAK *
2. Constructive Analysis
(approx. 60 mins.)
When all singers have auditioned, we discuss each audition in detail as a group, starting with the individual auditioner him/herself. He/she discusses any observations or revelations that occurred during the audition process and then group discussion and exchange begins, so that each artist has very specific feedback and constructive criticism which can be used in the learning process. Part of the discussion will also focus on how best to present yourself and how to feel comfortable with the way you look in the audition situation
3. Wrap-Up and Questions
(approx. 15 mins.)
(approx. 90 mins.)
In the final session we do a mock audition, so that the singers have the opportunity to
try out their audition material and "present" themselves as they would to a potential employer, yet in a supportive and critically constructive situation
The singers who have been chosen come dressed and prepared to "audition" for the group. The singer introduces him/herself, telling the "jury" which aria they would like to begin with. After the first choice, the jury decides as a group which aria they would like to hear next, with a possibility of a third choice also being heard. During the audition process, all participants are encouraged to make detailed notes of their colleague’s performances, to be used in the ensuing discussion. Special consideration should be given to the observation of the usefulness or non-usefulness of artistic choices, as well as to the effectiveness of the particular arias, the presence of blockages/interference of the performing modes or freedom of same, and the aesthetic effect of the performer on the jury. Again the emphasis is on constructive and objective criticism
* BREAK *
2. Constructive Analysis
(approx. 60 mins.)
When all singers have auditioned, we discuss each audition in detail as a group, starting with the individual auditioner him/herself. He/she discusses any observations or revelations that occurred during the audition process and then group discussion and exchange begins, so that each artist has very specific feedback and constructive criticism which can be used in the learning process. Part of the discussion will also focus on how best to present yourself and how to feel comfortable with the way you look in the audition situation
3. Wrap-Up and Questions
(approx. 15 mins.)