The end of summer

Labor Day weekend marks the traditional end of summer, so this is a good time to assess where you are for the year ahead.

I have covered some of this in the past, but it never hurts to revisit!

1.  Audition rep - is it ready?


2.  Support materials -  up to date resumes, photos?

3. recordings - new ones to be done, or do you have them ready?

4.  Updates to companies, directors, colleagues, etc.?  As I mentioned in a previous post, if someone has sugguested that you keep them up to date on your activities, and you had a busy, spring and summer, now is a good time to get ready to send those updates out after the holiday.

That's just a start, but I find that the change of seasons is always a good time for "inventory".

Response to a good question

I had this question to my most recent post about follow-up:

"Just curious what this updating looks like...as a young singer, I have been told this, but am unsure of what to keep them apprised of? I don't want to be a bother to them as busy directors and managers...what would be an appropriate way to follow up?"

The easiest way, and the one I suggest is a simple e-mail (since I will have given the singer my card with that info).  Something along the lines of":  "Mr. Smith, you asked me to keep you apprised of my activities, and I wanted to let you know that I have been accepted into the Apprentice program at the Acme Opera Company, where I will be singing the main stage role of Musetta in La Boheme.  I look forward to singing for you again.  Regards, Sally Brown"

Something like that will certainly remind me of the fact that I liked your audition, and that you have continued to make progress in your career.

Following up

I know I have touched on this subject before, but this is a bit of advice that I don't think can be overstated.  If you do an audition, and the person hearing you hands you their card, and says "please stay in touch with me, I would like to keep track of what you are doing", do it!!  I just got an update this past week from a young singer who did our Young Artist Auditions last year.  I didn't hire her, but told her I was interested in watching her progress, and she followed up - this person has now upped their chances of getting hired here because of that simple step.
You would be amazed (or perhaps not!) how many times I have told a singer to keep me apprised of what they are doing, and then they didn't - that is a missed opportunity!
Remember, this is one of the simple things you can do to give yourself an opportunity to get hired!

A really nice weekend of hearing singers!

I had the opportunity to hear over 60 aspiring high school singers over two days at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute this past weekend.  Then on Sunday, I got to hear some of the Young Artists at the Glimmerglass Festival.  It's exciting to hear young singers at varying degrees of their development.  It's especially invigorating to see and hear high school singers at the very beginning of their journey.  Another example of "it's the journey, not the destination!"

Thought for the day......

Why not you?

When I used to audition, this thought was almost never present in my head - "why not me?"  In fact, my thoughts were more along the lines of "they almost certainly won't pick me".  To some extent, this becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

I am not pretending that positive thinking will overcome marginal talent, lack of preparation, or sloppy execution.

What I am suggesting is that if you are a talented, well prepared young artist, your belief that you should have the position you are going after will transmit to the people hearing your audition.