My D has finally agreed to try to get in a few visits to in-state schools this summer. We have never requested sample lessons at college visits before. Do you bring a prepared song or is the teacher just going to want to go through scales and exercises (like most first lessons have been in our experience) and maybe some sight singing?
She just started with a new voice teacher to work on some audition material. She is not interested in classical singing, but a couple programs will require a classical song for audition. She will be applying to commercial music programs. So, if preparing a song for the sample lesson:
Should it be commercial or classical or both?
Should it be different from what she may intend on using for actual auditions?
Her teacher said she is going to have no problem having a classical song ready quickly, but as of this very moment, she has had exactly 2 classical lessons and I would like to get the college visits in soon!
WWYD?
I don’t have singer experience, but maybe my thoughts will prompt someone with more knowledge to help you out.
First, have you checked that the teachers she is interested in seeing are on campus in the summer? Don’t know where you are looking (obviously), but frequently, the music faculty is not at full force in the summer. You may have better luck in the fall - after the first several weeks of the semester, giving faculty time to sort out the new school year.
Again, no specific knowledge of commercial music - but, if the general advise holds true, she should bring a song that she sings very well and is comfortable with. If the goal is to meet and talk with a potential teacher, this does not necessarily have to be an audition piece. If the goal is to get pointers for the audition, then obviously bring in something on the audition list. Teachers may have their own methods for running these “sample lessons”. Some may just want to meet the student and talk about the program while others may give a lesson. If this isn’t clearly spelled out in the communication setting up the appointment, best to be prepared with something and let the instructor take things from there. I don’t think there is any problem in asking a potential instructor what they would like her to bring. Does her current teacher have experience in sending students off for sample lessons?
One of my kids - this was about 10 years ago and a string teacher so may no apply - went to a sample lesson with a work that was definitely “in progress”. Told the instructor upfront that his work was not “master class ready” or “audition ready” and asked if they could have a real working lesson on it. This worked well for both - they got a great feel for each other. (In the end did not choose this conservatory, but worked with the prof at a summer festival later on during undergrad years.) Just a thought - voice people (or others) may think this is a bad idea!
Hmmm…this is a bit of a difficult situation. Here are my comments and maybe some others can chime in.
1.) You should bring a prepared song or two. I would check the schools’ websites concerning audition material. My gut says that if the audition requirements are all classical pieces, having ONLY a commercial piece would not be the wisest move. While it may not “ruin her chances”, I’m not sure it would help. At the very least, she should know what type of audition material is expected and let the teacher know she’s working on it - and have one of those pieces available to show her (it doesn’t have to be THE audition piece just a song that matches the criteria).
2.) Honesty is the best policy as the writer says above. An important element of the sample lesson is to show that you can work/communicate with the teacher. If a teacher asks you to do something in a lesson, this is VERY important. She/he wants to see if you are coachable. Being able to respond to “criticism” and attempt what the teacher asks will show this. However my daughter had both types of sample lessons. Short, sweet, sang briefly with little feedback and only a “thank you”. And sample lessons that she “worked” in and then talked at length about her history in singing and her goals. She got acceptance (and declines) from both types. You can’t read too much into the sample lessons. Still she SHOULD show up prepared (with the right type of pieces), communicate well (without mom’s help), and try her best if asked to modify anything.
I hope this helps.
Forgot to make clear - I think a commercial piece as one of the pieces is OK if she really loves it. But I would have a classical piece in the works even if it is not ready - and she should explain that. Voice teachers DO understand that singers come late to the game! Instrumentalists may be horrified … but vocalist often don’t enter “the game” until well into their high school years.
All schools we’re looking at require a commercial selection. She has plenty of those to choose from, but we’ll choose one that she does not intend on auditioning with. Then, I guess we will just go in with whatever classical selection she has ready (or not) at the time. Maybe it will be the audition song, maybe not! I’ve probably been overthinking all of this.