My vocal auditions for Music Education are coming up and I have some questions about the tempo of my chosen selections, which are The Vagabond by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Vittoria, Mio Core by Giacomo Carissimi. There are different tempos used throughout these songs, like “meno mosso” and “allegro con brio”, etc. I was wondering about how the accompanist would play these songs. Will the average accompanist play it at the same tempo throughout, or automatically take these markings into account while playing? Do I have to clarify with them beforehand the exact tempo and let them know whether or not to take these into account? I’m conflicted because l feel like I would be off with the accompanist if I did ask them to play with the different tempo markings (since they don’t know how I usually sing it), but I feel like singing it at the same tempo throughout the song is “incorrect”. I know that many schools offer warm-up time beforehand to go over things like this with the accompanist, but I don’t know if all my schools allow that.
Yes, it’s perfectly fine to clarify the tempi with your accompanist. In fact, if you have time between now and then it might be a good idea to go over audition etiquette with a coach or your teacher. The quality of accompanists can be all over the place so you might also practice different “unexpected” tempi with a coach or your teacher.
First, these are standard pieces so the accompanist will know how to play them, don’t worry. Second, because they are standard rep, you don’t have that much leeway with the tempi, so again, the accompanist knows what to do- Sing your usual tempo and the accompanist will follow you.