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Voice Requirements
Participants are required to submit a videotaped audition which must include the following - in this order:
- One 17th or 18th century aria from an opera, oratorio or cantata and sung in the original language. Donaudy and Tosti songs are not acceptable. (The collections of 24th and 26th Italian arias are an excellent source as are collections of Bach and Hndel arias).
- One art song in English written after 1900 from composers such as Barber, Copland, Gordon (Ricky Ian), Ives, Rorem, Bernstein, Britten, Musto, Bolcom, Argento, Finzi, Gurney, Warlock, Vaughan Williams, etc. No musical theater repertoire allowed for this selection.
- One 19th or early 20th century art song written and sung in German or French from composers such as Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Wolf, Strauss, Mahler, Duparc, Faure, Chausson, Debussy, Poulenc, etc.
- An aria from an opera or operetta composed after 1780 (Mozart and later) sung in the original language OR an art song sung in a language other than English that contrasts selection 3 above. (Songs by Donaudy and Tosti are acceptable for this selection).
- A selection of the students choosing of a song or aria. This selection may be a musical theater song.
Submit selections in contrasting styles and varied tempi showing the character and quality of the voice and musicianship. Selections should be age appropriate and display sensitivity to vocal weight.
- All selections must be accompanied.
- All audition submissions must be memorized.
REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTENT OF CLASSICAL VOICE VIDEOTAPED/DVD AUDITION:
| Do's (required) | Don'ts (can be disqualified) | |
| 1 | Record your audition in the order listed above using a NEW VHS cassette or DVD. | Do not submit a mini-DV, mini cassette or VCD. QuickTime and AVI files will not be accepted for adjudication. |
| 2 | Announce your audition in the following manner: "My YoungArts ID# is 08009999/275." (You will receive your YoungArts ID# once you have completed the registration process). Also include the names and composers the pieces as well as the DVD track/Chapter # or VHS/DVD player counter/Timestamp on the content card inside the DVD/VHS case/box. | Do not state your name or place it in or on the video/DVD box/case. Do not make any other comments. |
| 3 | Dress appropriately for your audition. | |
| 4 | Record your audition with live piano accompaniment. | Do not use a pre-recorded format. |
| 5 | Use a fixed point of view for your camera with the student auditioning being the main focus. Shoot straight on, leaving the camera in one location. | Do not pan, move the camera, or follow the vocalist. Camera may be no closer than waist up. |
| 6 | Use a good quality microphone and check for good balance and blend. Edits between pieces are allowed. Make sure the level of your piano accompaniment does not overpower the sound of your voice on the tape. | Do not make film edits within the piece. No sound enhancements are allowed. |
| 7 | Submit your audition materials according to the official mailing requirements | Do not submit pre-recorded live performances, such as recitals or concerts. |
Recommendations
- There should be short pauses between selections.
- If recording your pieces onto a DVD, do not assume that our adjudicators will be able to view it. As soon as the DVD is recorded, make certain you view it in its entirety on a standard DVD player prior to submitting. Do not view your submission on a laptop or desktop as it could format the disc to play only on a computer.
NOTE: Videotapes/DVDs will not be returned. Participants should make and keep copies of all materials submitted. YoungArts is not responsible for submissions lost or damaged in the mail.
