| The Audition |
The audition to become a member of BCS is very simple. Don't forget that you're
given the opportunity to sit through one or two rehearsals with us before going
through any of it, which goes a long way towards calming nerves.
The audition takes place after rehearsals. Those present are Eric Delson, our
musical director, one of his three deputies, and our accompanist, usually Philippe
Navarre.
You'll be asked to go through the following four steps:
1. Sing a work of your own choosing. This can be literally anything, but of course
it's a good idea to choose something that suits your voice. If you want Philippe to
accompany you, bring your music along. If you need advice, ask recruitment
supremo Michael Lake or any of the voice representatives who are happy to help
you prepare this stage of the audition. These people will be identified when you
come to rehearsal.
2. You'll be asked to sing scales with piano accompaniment. This is to determine
your voice part. You may think you're an alto, but expert ears could find out
you're a soprano. Or vice versa.
3. You'll then sing (again with Philippe) a passage from the music we've rehearsed
that same evening, which is still fresh in your mind. This is to see if you've been
paying attention and if you can assimilate instructions.
4. Lastly, you'll be asked to sing from a score you've never seen, to test your
sight-reading. This, more than anything else, is what scares people, but bear in
mind that:
a) you can prepare for it. You have from now until about September 20;
b) it's only one-fourth of the test.
It would be nice to be able to say there's nothing to it. But of course it would have
no point at all in that case. There is something to it. It's the reason we've been able
to maintain a high standard all these years.
But you can get through it if you prepare in advance, pay attention as you're
rehearsing with us and focus on staying calm and enjoying the process.
And once you're in, that's it -- for five years.
That's right, we all have to go through it again
every five years. But that's another story.
We look forward to seeing you at your
first rehearsal with us.
given the opportunity to sit through one or two rehearsals with us before going
through any of it, which goes a long way towards calming nerves.
The audition takes place after rehearsals. Those present are Eric Delson, our
musical director, one of his three deputies, and our accompanist, usually Philippe
Navarre.
You'll be asked to go through the following four steps:
1. Sing a work of your own choosing. This can be literally anything, but of course
it's a good idea to choose something that suits your voice. If you want Philippe to
accompany you, bring your music along. If you need advice, ask recruitment
supremo Michael Lake or any of the voice representatives who are happy to help
you prepare this stage of the audition. These people will be identified when you
come to rehearsal.
2. You'll be asked to sing scales with piano accompaniment. This is to determine
your voice part. You may think you're an alto, but expert ears could find out
you're a soprano. Or vice versa.
3. You'll then sing (again with Philippe) a passage from the music we've rehearsed
that same evening, which is still fresh in your mind. This is to see if you've been
paying attention and if you can assimilate instructions.
4. Lastly, you'll be asked to sing from a score you've never seen, to test your
sight-reading. This, more than anything else, is what scares people, but bear in
mind that:
a) you can prepare for it. You have from now until about September 20;
b) it's only one-fourth of the test.
It would be nice to be able to say there's nothing to it. But of course it would have
no point at all in that case. There is something to it. It's the reason we've been able
to maintain a high standard all these years.
But you can get through it if you prepare in advance, pay attention as you're
rehearsing with us and focus on staying calm and enjoying the process.
And once you're in, that's it -- for five years.
That's right, we all have to go through it again
every five years. But that's another story.
We look forward to seeing you at your
first rehearsal with us.
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| Last updated 27 August 2007 |
| BCS |
| "Focus on staying calm and enjoying the process" |
