Wise Words from a General/Artistic Director

I've just survived my first audition with a General/Artistic Director at a large company. The whole experience was better than I had expected. Generally, an audition consists of 5-10 minutes of singing and a "Thank you very much". There are those wonderful occasions where the person(s) behind the desk ask a bit about me, prompted from the resume, and we will chat . It is even rarer still to receive valuable advice in an audition. I understand that time is of the essence in many of the auditions. Companies want to have to opportunity to hear as many singers as possible so I don't expect too much, nor am I disappointed when an audition consists of singing two arias with a kind "Thank you". In some respects it only serves to highlight those moments when I do get to talk to the person(s) behind the desk and it makes me listen all the harder when they have something helpful to say.

The first tip came upon entering the room. My head shot, repertoire list and any recordings generally have a stamp on the back with my contact information. Since much of my stuff is currently in storage, I've forgotten about several things and this habit has gone by the wayside. The Director urged me to put printed labels on the back. I'm not sure why it never occurred to be before, but labels have the wonderful distinction of being portable. Print a few sheets and slip them in my audition binder right behind my extra head shots, resumes and a variety of repertoire lists I keep on hand at all times.

The second and hugely valuable tip came after "Sein wir wieder gut", and before "Nacqui all'affano...Non più mesta". If you are singing in the chorus for a show, always, always learn any appropriate small role in that show. If something happens close to curtain, raise your hand and be ready to go on.

Another plus to learning small roles is that they are a great way for a company to test drive you as a singer. So they like your voice but have no experience with you, they can effectively 'test' you out in a position that won't make or break a show. It takes a huge amount of trust for someone to put you on stage. With my background, I have had stage time in college, young artist programs and chorus stage time but there is a difference. I have also found that my time in opera chorus has been invaluable, learning to see and hear a conductor and orchestra in the pit from the stage is a skill and not necessarily a given talent.