<p>Hello!
I am at an audition for VP. My audition time is at 12pm (5hrs from now) and right now my throat is absolutely raw. For the past week I have had a sore throat, aches, pains, but a few days ago it started to go away. Now, after many delayed flights and headaches yesterday, I am sitting in my hotel room sicker than ever. I am worried about singing - but I am even more worried about not singing. I made an emergency CD just in case but I do not think final CDs go over too well. Advice? It burns when I talk or swallow. Anyone know a miracle cure?</p>
<p>My heart goes out to you. Have you had a lesson with anyone on the faculty? If so, you might consider contacting him or her directly if you need to cancel and offer a CD. Have you had a test for strep throat? A hotel could direct you to an immediate care office if necessary. You may not be able to overcome the dilemma of singing poorly vs. relying on a CD, but you need to consider the factors of 1) hurting your voice now when you are hoping for a lifetime of singing and 2) infecting others around you (for this reason, especially, it would be helpful to know if you have a nasty strep bug). It may help to sort through these factors by writing down what you would say to the school when calling to cancel. I would also call your teacher for advice, because he or she knows you well and has your best interests in mind. Steam and drinking lots of water is the only completely safe “cure”; my daughter used mucinex during mild colds, but even then she knew how she felt while taking it – trying a new medicine for the first time before an audition is risky, even if it’s just a special tea, IMO. Best of luck, and try to keep the long view in mind.</p>
<p>Oh, Mezzo, I’m so sorry you’re sick on this very important day! First of all, it’s early still. Throats can seem much worse when you first wake up. Give it some time. My advice - steam, steam, steam! Sit in the shower and take deep breaths of steam for 30 minutes. Push the fluids - lots of water. Even a bit of caffeine might help you on a day like this. I wouldn’t normally suggest it, but with the headaches and all, a cup of tea might do wonders. THen, when you begin to vocalize, do it gently and only for a few minutes at a time.
If you’re not feeling better soon you might have to move to plan B. I have heard that many of the schools have some flexibility with their schedules and might be able to hear your audition another day if you explain the situation. If not - show up if you can, and explain it directly to your panel of teachers. They will be sympathetic. Let them see you, anyway - see that you made the effort to be there - and then hand them the recording. I’m sure you’re not the first to have such an unfortunate circumstance. We’re thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery!</p>
<p>mezzolove, you can try gargling with salt water. It may help a bit. Use half tsp salt in 8 oz of warm water. You can do this every couple of hours. Ask at the front desk of your hotel if there is no restaurant close by. Also take some Acetaminophen (Tylenol), it will help with the pain.</p>
<p>Thank you for all of your suggestions and good wishes. I gargled with salt water and at first I thought it was making matters worse but it is seeming to help. I am also taking Advil (its all I could find!) I think I may have strep so I am trying to steer clear of everyone. I talked to the director of the opera program who advised me to talk to a certain teacher before I start. This trip has just been an utter disaster – Yesterday, as we were taking off, the plane suddenly stopped and said they were having hydrolic system problems! Which caused a huge delay (but I am thankful that we didnt take off with that problem!) and my connecting flight missed. Not to mention the woman sitting next to me was coughing and not covering her mouth! I am just rolling with the punches at this point. I am just going to go out and use the power of positive thinking. After all, everything and anything happens in this business. I know that I am not the first to be sick at a college audition - so I dont think that the teachers will be too shocked. I just need this infection to go away! I have a recording and another (most important) audition this week. Sorry for the long response/rant</p>
<p>So sorry you are going through this mezzolove. Excellent advice above. Adrenaline is miraculous and this could be a tremendous audition for you despite being so ill. Good for you for staying positive. Please tell us how it goes.</p>
<p>Just finished my audition. I completely nailed it! They asked me alot of questions afterwards and didnt even realize I was sick. My throat hurts now but I barely noticed it in the audition. Today I: took advil, gargled water, took a steamy shower, drank tea, but I think the best thing I did was decide to be positive and I told myself that I am just going to forget about everything and do my best. I am seeing a doctor ASAP when I get home!</p>
<p>Great job, mezzolove! Now rest up and drink plenty of fluids and Throat Coat tea.
Singers should be wary of taking Advil- it dilates the blood vessels, which you don’t need if your vocal folds are already inflamed. Recent info says that Aleve is the best option since it functions in a totally different manner. The fact that it lasts all day is a plus too. Gargling with warm salt water and drinking tea with honey are throat soothing also.
Hopefully you have a bit of time to rest up so take good care of yourself!</p>
<p>Thank you everyone! Now I have to wait until April for the results.</p>
<p>MezzosMama- Its interesting that you mention the Advil thing… this morning I was debating taking it because I thought that it may have been bad for my cords, but I decided to take it anyway (since I couldnt validate who/where I had heard that from. Its nice to hear it from someone else-- and I will definitely take Aleve the next time. Thanks for the tip.</p>
<p>Also - I noticed quite a bit of other auditioners/students who were sick. A bad bug is definitely going around. </p>
<p>From my experience, and that of my students, all NSAIDs should be avoided when you have to really sing (any demands of range and volume). An internet search for “NSAIDs and singers” will link to commentary and articles about potential problems.</p>
<p>Isn’t it awful we all think it’s good news! But sinus and ear infections respond rapidly to antibiotics so all should be well with you soon. Congrats on an awesome audition and stay well!</p>
<p>This month’s “Journal of Singing” (March/April, 2012), published by the National Association of Teachers of Singing, has a column “Care of the Professional Voice” covering: “Part 3: Sing Over Your Cold!” It covers “Vocal Fold Swelling: Myths and Facts”, specifically issues of vocal fold edema. In the article there is discussion of medications and their affect on vocal cord usage and health, and there are particular warnings about taking NSAIDs and voice usage. Any (NATS member) teacher and/or college library should have the issue if anyone wishes to read it, or the national office can be contacted with a request for a copy.</p>