<p>Having lots of natural talent will get you far, but development of that talent through hours of hard practice will get you farther. In other words, you can get into a great A Cappella group (like I did) with little-if-any specified training" (like I did), but working on that musicianship will get you even farther. On the other hand, however, I you have little-to-no natural musicianship, getting into a selective group will prove virtually impossible, no matter how much you sing.</p>
<p>In other words, there are some people who can't sing. Signs that you have some ability include, but aren't limited to:</p>
<p>-Good sight reading of music you have never seen or heard VERY quickly (as in on first or second try)
-Near-immediate recognition and response to chords, key signatures, and time signatures
-Good vocal blending with group members you have never sang with (much less even MET) before, as occurs in nearly EVERY selective a cappella audition in high schools and colleges.
-being able to take note of dynamic and tempo changes
-Overall musicality (phrasing, accents, breath-placing, etc.)
-Good pitch</p>
<p>Many of the above skills cannot be learned (or can be learned, but only to an EXTENT). Such things, such as true perfect pitch, you are born with.</p>