After The Audition – What do YOU do?

After The Audition – What do YOU do?


“First forget inspiration, Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not. Habit is persistence in practice.” Octavia Butler

What is your routine, follow-up or strategy after the audition?  What? You say you don’t have one or have never really thought it might be an important step in understanding why you did or did not get a job!  Or perhaps give you new information about how you might make adjustments or improve any part of this process of how you did what you did?

 So, did I get your attention?

Here are some very important items you might want to consider as you prepare for and follow-up on your next audition.  And remember you are in the business of creating and maintaining relationships, including the one with yourself.

#1 Create a physical place to record all the information from each audition. It can be actually writing it down on paper in a journal or done online.  And I’d like to suggest you make it a two sided item, with side one being from you, from the singers prospective, and side two, from acting “as if” you were the manager of the singer taking notes.
#2 As the singer, you will find you are more emotionally attached or associated with your observations and when acting “as if” you are the manager, you are less emotionally attached/ disassociated from your emotions. This allows you to understand from both points of view how you did and become more objective and rational. #3 Using this combined overview will assist you in having available a more realistic, constructive, and accurate picture of the event you are reviewing. It’s an amazing way to view the authenticity of what you can do to become better at this very necessary part of a singing career.
#4 Auditioning viewed as a learning tool, will help you become less defensive and/or self–destructive. It allows you move forward with more confidence, because you are now methodically helping yourself improve every time you audition or perform.
#5 Here is what I have created for you to use. Space it out as you see fit, add or subtract items that seem pertinent to you specifically, and be sure it is two sided – one for you the performer and one for you the manager.

Avanti until next time. Would love to know how this works for you, so let me hear from you…… Carol

AUDITION INFORMATION

NAME OF COMPANY:

CONTACT PERSON:

JOB DESCRIPTION OF CONTACT PERSON:

ADDRESS:

PHONE:                   FAX:            E-MAIL:         TWEET:    WAY TO SEND PHOTOS:

DATE OF INITIAL CONTACT:

REASON FOR CONTACT:

REFERAL?  YES (WHO)                                                                               NO

NOTES: (FOLLOW UP, HAND WRITTEN THANK YOU, ETC)

DATE PACKET SENT:                      CONTENTS:

AUDITION DATE:                                          LOCATION:

WHAT I SANG:

COMMENTS:  (MINE)                                                (THEIRS)

ACCOMPANIST: (phone#)

COMMENTS:

COMMENTS ON AUDITION SPACE:

WHAT I WORE:

COMMENTS: (MINE)                                                 (THEIRS)

FOLLOW UP DATE:               ACTION TAKEN:

EXPENSES:

MISC.

NOTES:

Carol Kirkpatrick

For as long as she can remember, singing and performing have always been in Carol Kirkpatrick’s blood. From her beginnings in a small farming town in southeastern Arizona, through her early first-place triumph at the prestigious San Francisco Opera Auditions, and subsequent career on international stages, Ms. Kirkpatrick has thrilled audiences and critics alike. “A major voice, one worth the whole evening.” (The New York Times) Since retiring from the stage, she continues to be in demand as a voice teacher, clinician, and adjudicator of competitions including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.  Combining her knowledge of performance, business, and interpersonal skills, she has written the second edition of her highly regarded book, Aria Ready: The Business of Singing, a step-by-step career guide for singers and teachers of singing.  Aria Ready has been used by universities, music conservatories and summer and apprentice programs throughout the world as a curriculum for teaching Ms. Kirkpatrick’s process of career development, making her “the” expert in this area.  She lives in Denver, Colorado.   YouTube.com/kirkpatrickariaready