RK Vocal Studio
College Audition Tip! Making a checklist.
Thursday, February 21, 2019 by Rebecca Keogh | Uncategorized
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Make a checklist of everything you need to prepare for your audition. Below I’ve included a few examples of the type of things you could put on your checklist;
✔️Reply to any emails you get regarding audition before indicated deadline, including all information requested like including your CAO number and dates you will not be available to audition.
✔️Prepare your songs and make sure they fit any criteria requested by college.
✔️ Read audition guidelines & include any important details on your checklist. Like whether you
need to arrange accompaniment, bring a backing track, or choose songs from a prescribed list.
✔️ Practice any technical exercises you might also be asked to perform such as scales, harmonising, or music theory.
✔️ Research your course choice and be prepared to talk about why you are are the right student for the course.
✔️ Bullet point any info you want to talk about in your interview like why you chose the course and any goals you have for the future.
✔️ Mark audition date in your calendar and make sure you request the date off work if you need to.
✔️ Choose your outfit a couple of days BEFORE audition day.
✔️ Plan your journey a few days BEFORE audition and give yourself plenty of time to get there. As a rule of thumb, I usually plan to arrive an hour before I’m due to audition. During this time, I'll sit in my car or find a quiet corner and go over my notes for interview, listen to music to get me in the right head space & grab a tea or a bottle of water. This is your time to get in the zone.
Why laughter can help you sing better!
Thursday, February 14, 2019 by Rebecca Keogh | Uncategorized
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Laughter has a long list of health benefits including physical, and mental health! Laughing releases endorphins (those happy hormones everyone's talking about), reduces stress and anxiety, relaxes your whole body, improves your mood, promotes group bonding AND lucky for us singers, it can actually help you sing better!
Inside our larynx (otherwise known as the voice box) we have what we call vocal folds, which are the source of sound when we speak and sing. On either side of the vocal folds are the false folds, whose main function is to stop food and drink being inhaled into the lungs. The false folds also constrict when we need to lift something heavy for example, covering over the vocal folds in the process. If there is any constriction of the false folds when we are singing however, it may cause strain or interfere with the sound we are trying to produce, stopping us from achieving our singing goals.
Lucky for us we have a quick fix for this, laughter! A good giggle can help release this constriction freeing us up to sing with more ease!
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Stand up comedy is probably not on the cards for me, but I’ve been binge watching Netflix comedy specials in hope that I’ll soak up some giggle material with my students in mind! My favourites include Iliza Shlesinger and Ricky Gervais if you fancy a good belly laugh!
Below I have included a couple of links to stroboscopes on youtube (but be warned, you may find them a bit yucky);
Stroboscopy of someone laughing;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgXSlsCYmkU
False folds retraction & constriction;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp0rjEaiEE8
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Audition Tips! How having a ritual can help you have a successful audition!
Thursday, February 7, 2019 by Rebecca Keogh | Uncategorized
It's that time of year again, your application has been sent, and you’re starting to receive audition emails. The audition is your time to shine. Some of you may feel excited to strut your stuff and show em what you got! But there will be some of you who are also feeling terrified about it for one reason or another. My least favourite part of this process is the interview part. When I’m performing I feel totally fine, in fact, I probably feel more myself than when not! Most colleges have hints and tips on their websites or blogs regarding auditioning but I’m going to talk specifically about how having a ritual can help to reduce anxiety, giving you freedom to have a successful audition.
The Ritual
A ritual in this case is a series of actions that help you prepare and get in the zone for your audition or performance. Everyone is individual so we will all have individual rituals. Play around with a few ideas until you find something that works FOR YOU!
Here are a few tips based on my own ritual;
- Prepare your songs and bullet point any information you would like to talk about.
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Make a checklist of everything you need to do in the run up to the audition.
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- Drink lots of water on the run up to the performance/interview. I bought one of those 2 litre bottles in my favourite colour (orange) and some twisty straws to go with it, and I try to get through 2 litres the day before and 2 liters the day of the gig.
- Have your outfit picked a day or 2 before the audition. The last thing you want is to be running around with a stressed head because you can’t find your favorite top!
- Listening to meditation music before bed the night before helps me fall asleep and takes my mind off everything so I can get a good night’s sleep. Sleep is very important!
- The day of the performance/interview. I have a hot shower, to relax and inhale the steam for my voice. I also have an omron nebulizer which produces cold steam which I use before and after a performance to make sure my vocal folds are hydrated.
- Stretching or some yoga is a great way to waken up your body, reduce anxiety, releases endorphins (happy hormones) and can actually help you sing better too.
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On the way to or while getting ready to go to the performance/interview. I listen to some upbeat music and try to channel my alter ego (which really helps me feel less anxious). My choices usually include, motown, rap or rock, as it just gives me that pep in my step that I need when walking into that performance. If your audition pieces are upbeat you could include them on your playlist too. I wouldn't recommend listening to anything too melancholic as this may put you on a downer which you DON’T want.
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- Channel your inner ‘Freddie Mercury.’ Or whoever inspires you to be fierce.
- Be yourself. Not every artist is extroverted. Not every artist is introverted. We are an eclectic bunch with permission to just be you.
- As well as preparing your audition or exam pieces, you should also bullet point any information you’d like to talk about in your interview. Read your course description, watch any informative videos provided on the colleges website that are about your course and college, look up examples of statement of interests, and read blogs relating to anything that links in with your course as this will give you some direction of where you might take the conversation.
Preparation is key! Everything from learning your pieces to making sure you have read your emails correctly is so so important here. You want to make the whole process as streamlined as possible to avoid stressful situations that may arise from lack of preparation. Just remember, this is your thing, YOU GOT THIS!
To book an audition prep lesson with me you can either fill out the form under the 'Enquiries & Bookings' tab above, send me a message on facebook or instagram or give me a call or text on 087 7726006.
Useful links;
For more tips on auditioning for college check out BIMMs blog at this link
https://blog.bimm.co.uk/bimm-dublin-audition-dos-and-donts
Songs to make you feel the bomb!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIeqNADfD_E
Omron pocket nebulizer:
