<p>For anyone who was at the Penn State audition this weekend, How'd it go? How was Sweet Charity? When are their letters supposed to come out?</p>
<p>If anyone is still heading to Otterbein for an audition, I just want to let you know that -- based on our experience this past weekend -- you can expect a complete class act. The level of organization, friendliness, information, and general care and feeding (yes, there were lunch tickets!) of both students and parents was absolutely first-rate. I won't say it was a stress-free environment -- after all, the kids are auditioning for a wonderful MT program that will be admitting only four girls and four boys as freshmen -- but Doctorjohn and Otterbein are to be deeply congratulated on the thoughtfulness and professionalism that they bring to this process.</p>
<p>I'm bumping this thread because I have some questions about auditioning, but not material (there are plenty of threads on that anyway.)</p>
<p>*To any of the profs or voice teachers here,
I'm concerned with some technique issues for my auditions.</p>
<p>I love my voice teacher, but he doesn't really seem to be able to help much with technique. I'm getting a second teacher in a few weeks, but who knows if that'll help...</p>
<p>My vibrato is really fast; i like to refer to it as a run-away truck. i'm sure it's some sort of tremollo(?), and that could be from not enough support or nasality or a billion other things, or it could just be naturally fast. But in any event, instead of answering my questions about this, my voice teacher (and ones I've had in the past) tell me 'not to worry about it' because once my technique is solid the vibrato will come naturally. I do know that, and I'm trying to ignore it, but I don't know how to handle my voice in the meantime.
If by auditions my teacher and I haven't worked together to fix this problem, should i sing my music as straight-toned as possible, or should I just put my overactive vibrato out there for the judges to hear? I've gotten so many opposing opinions, my head is spinning! That's why I'd sort of like to hear from people who hear auditions themselves..</p>
<p>I want to be honest with potential schools about my voice, and I'd sort of like them to hear what I have going on vocally (good or bad!), but my voice teacher tells me to sing everything straight toned. I also feel that I can't convey as much emotion with straight tones. Even with crescedos it feels anti-climactic.</p>
<p>oh boy... what to do...</p>
<p>MTPolk,</p>
<p>If your teacher is telling you to sing and hold back your vibrato, then I personally think you should find another teacher. When you prevent your vibrato and sing with a straight tone, you are no longer singing on the breath, for vibrato is a natural occurrence when the air is properly moving across your vocal folds. Not singing on the breath results in forced sounds, which will become a problem in the future. Vibrato can certainly be controlled but should never be completely erased. It's not healthy. My advice is to start with your second teacher now and see how those new and different lessons go. </p>
<p>You say that your voice teacher doesn't help you with technique. What exactly does he help you with?</p>
<p>actor465,
He's more of a vocal coach, in that he's great at picking out literature that suits me, but ya, he does lack in technique with his teaching. I just started at the school I'm at now, and he happened to be my teacher. Quite honestly, It'd be great to work with him IF I have another teacher who will work solely on technique with me. (Hence me getting another teacher, outside of the school. I have worked with her a few times before, and I expect good things from her.) </p>
<p>I definitely agree with what you're saying about not holding back the vibrato, and that's what I'd prefer to do anyway- it feels better. I'm hoping that things go better with the new lessons, but I only have a few months before auditions (I'm transferring out..) so who knows if that'll be enough time for me to fix vibrato/breathing issues.</p>
<p>Thanks for the insight!</p>
<p>Well, that's a difficult situation to address remotely, via the computer.</p>
<p>I can tell you that either no vibrato (straight tone) or too much vibrato is detrimental in an audition.</p>
<p>I suggest waiting until the technique is solid and the instrument more adaptable before auditioning. Is this an option? Can you delay your college admission by a year? With a program like ours (CSU Fullerton auditions at the end of the sophomore year), this is not detrimental to admission; but it may be quite different at other institutions who audition in at the freshman level.</p>
<p>Anyone out here in cyberspace know of any reason a student would not want to delay admission auditions for one year after high school, to get vocally in shape for them, if there is such a concern as this student?</p>
<p>Prof. Himmelheber,</p>
<p>I'll take your suggestion into consideration, but I think that would suit me better if I were a freshman, whereas I'm a sophomore (techncially a Junior credit-wise) so I'm really quite anxious to get settled down with a program, even if I have to start over as a freshman.</p>
<p>Your comment about no or too much vibrato being a deterimental to an audition is well recieved, and I'll definitely pay close attention to how I'm using it. (Because I've always been told not to use it, I'll have to work on that a bit.) That was just the sort of thing I was asking though, so thank you!</p>
<p>(I know it's impossible to know just what I should do, seeing as how you don't know me or my voice, but it helps to know what sort of things are being looked at, vocally, at auditions so I can better prepare myself.)</p>
<p>Just wanted to let people know that Emerson finally posted its form for scheduling an audition. It is a mail in (send the $35 check), full application to follow.</p>
<p>The bad news (to me at least) is the fall auditions are that same Dec. 2 weekend that is seems the rest of the world is using. Why can't these schools be a little more varied!</p>
<p>As things stand it is our intention to do Syracuse Dec. 2, Ithaca Dec. 3 and Emerson Dec. 4. Please, no snow and no sore t hroats! We're getting out the vitamins.</p>
<p>nytheatremom- I am so dense. I looked at the Emerson site and still see the registration form that says 2004/2005 registration form for auditions. Am I looking at the wrong place? I used the prospective student link, and went to BFA in MT. Can you tell me what I am doing wrong? Thanks so much for your help, and for the info. We toured Emerson last week, and my daughter loved everything about it.</p>
<p>you know it is confusing and I even went and double-checked in case I had the wrong year. But use this link and then click performing arts supplement. </p>
<p>It is clearly OUR dates (when it says 2005-06 it means application year, not admission year)</p>
<p>Thanks so much. I hope they take down the incorrect one soon. It will confuse alot of people if they have last years forms on some parts of the website and this years on another.</p>
<p>We're looking for recommendations of book &/or music stores in NYC (Manhattan)-for theater books, scripts, resources, sheet music, etc. Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>The Colony Store in Manhattan has TONS of sheet music!! They're located right in Times Square. Colonymusic.com</p>
<p>I swear by that store! They have everything!</p>
<p>The Drama Bookshop at 250 W 40th St is our favorite for scripts.</p>
<p>YES. Drama Book Shop. Nothing better anywhere.
They are very helpful and can give you leads on literary agents if the plays are not yet published, or if they do not carry what you are looking for</p>
<p>the drama bookshop and the colony are no doubt the best places to go.</p>