Learn more about how to maximize your success in competitions.
Learning how to manage the idiosyncrasies of competition opportunities can result in financial gain and can even start you on your way to a professional career. Competitions may also provide invitations to join apprentice and training programs, placement with a manager, and performing contracts. But even if you don’t win a competition, making the finals can lead to being contacted by teachers, coaches, casting directors, and managers. That’s because competitions are typically not a “winner takes all” scenario.
You may be asking yourself, “How can I best prepare for competitions and how can I make the most of these experiences?” The answers are both simple and complicated, but here are suggestions to help you on your journey.
Research
Because you have limited time and resources, research competitions with the same determination that you use when researching audition opportunities. Review whether there are application fees, noting how that compares to the number and amounts of the announced awards. Some opera companies and orchestras hold yearly competitions that offer cash prizes, positions in their training programs, or a guaranteed contract for a role in an upcoming season.
There are also organizations that run competitions committed only to supporting pre-professional or emerging professional performers. Make use of resources such as the csmusic.com postings, the NATS website, and YAP Tracker—but also investigate opportunities offered through arts organizations, including The National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) and Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), as well as your honor societies, fraternities, and sororities including Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Iota, Phi Mu Alpha, and Delta Omicron. There may be scholarships and awards offered at the state and/or local level of these and other community organizations in your area. And don’t forget about competitions and awards sponsored by your school.
Once you’ve made a list of potential competitions, review your findings with your trusted team of teachers, coaches, directors, and colleagues; they will be able to recommend those opportunities that are right for you and advise you away from any organizations that may be unethical or are in financial trouble.
Preparation
Commit to the same level of preparation for a competition as you do for an audition, choosing repertoire that showcases your musicianship and interpretive abilities, while fulfilling the competition requirements. While rehearsing your repertoire and bringing your characters to life, remember to also prepare for your performance day experience. If you don’t have a regimen developed to help you be your best when it is time to present, start creating one. Begin by answering these questions:
- How much sleep do you need the night before to be at your best?
- What foods and beverages can you eat/should you avoid the day before and on performance day?
- How close to performance time can/should you eat?
- How much and when should you warm up?
- How long can you sit, waiting to be called in, before you need to warm up again?
- How much talking to others can you do prior to your performance?
- Do you need to be alone with your thoughts or can you focus in a room full of other singers?
Knowing the answers to these questions and planning accordingly will allow you to perform at your best, especially if there are extenuating circumstances that may disrupt the day, including travel complications, weather delays, and power outages, or if the competition itself is behind schedule. You should also prepare for challenges at the location. Ask about warm up spaces, locations, and time limits; if no warm-up space is provided, arrange for your own by contacting friends or renting spaces near the competition location. Know where the bathrooms are and how to get from the waiting area to the performing space.
When a competition requires the submission of preliminary recordings, you must add another layer of preparation to your list. If you are fortunate to have access to a recording studio and sound recording engineer, you will most certainly have to reserve time, schedule a meeting with the engineer to talk about what you want, sing in the studio with your pianist to get used to the acoustics, and record weeks prior to the application deadline. Remember to ask about fees.
If you will record yourself on your phone or other device, you and your pianist will have to reserve a space twice, once for a rehearsal, which should be recorded, and for the performance. After the rehearsal, review the recording to confirm that you are happy with what you see and hear. You might consider dressing for this rehearsal in the event that you are content with your performance and don’t need the second recording day.
Editing your raw footage can be done simply if you remember to add some silent time at the beginning and end of every take (count to 5 silently before moving). You can edit using a free app or directly on some social media platforms. Remember that no performance is ever perfect, so use the best recording you make which shows what you can do. Minor mistakes can be forgiven, especially if you recover quickly and without breaking your concentration.
Travel and Housing
There are a number of competitions that will offer finalists travel and housing assistance or an allowance that will be reimbursed following the conclusion of the event. These opportunities offer their own challenges, and singers need to plan ahead for these experiences. If a competition will be booking your travel, be aware of all deadlines set forth in your invitation letter. The competition will have a point of contact who will gather your personal information including legal name, address, and Known Traveler Number. Important note: if you are not enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program, it is worth the cost, $76.75 for 5 years, to ensure a smoother experience at airport security checkpoints. They may request your preferred airport or, if traveling by train, the closest station. If they will reimburse you for your travel, keep receipts and send in your detailed expense report by their deadline.
Instead of putting you up in a hotel, you may be offered housing in the home of a donor or sponsor of the competition. This will add another layer of scrutiny to your participation since how you treat your hosts will certainly be discussed with the competition administrators. Your hosts will understand that you will want some private time, but be prepared to engage with them during your stay. Cultivating relationships will be an important part of your professional life, and your hosts will take pride in playing a role in your success—they will eagerly cheer you on and support you both during the competition and in the future.
Bring casual attire (slacks and jeans without holes, simple skirts and dresses, modest shirts, and comfortable shoes for when you are at your host’s home) and be sure that your sleep wear is modest and includes a robe and slippers, especially if your bathroom is not attached to your bedroom. Bring your own toiletries and ask for what you may have forgotten. You will likely be asked about food/beverage preferences and allergies prior to your arrival. Be sure to discuss any food or scent allergies, especially if these allergies are severe. Most important? Enjoy your time with your host family.
Dress Rehearsals
If you will be performing with an ensemble, you can best prepare for the short amount of rehearsal time by knowing the full score of your selection(s), not just the piano reductions. Listen to recordings, work from the full orchestral score, know which instruments will be playing the cues you rely on, and ask your coach for help preparing to work with the conductor. Be sure the conductor is aware of your preferences for tempo and any cuts and cadenzas you have planned.
Depending on the ensemble, there may be sections where you will have to compromise what you planned, perhaps adding additional breaths or pauses. Be flexible and accommodating without compromising yourself. Hold yourself to the time limitations of these rehearsals, but if the director/conductor extends your time with the ensemble, go with it! Greet the conductor and concert mistress/master when you enter and thank them and the ensemble members at the end of your rehearsal. Handshakes are appropriate, or you can express your gratitude with your hands simply clasped over your heart, a nod, and a verbal “thank you” if you or they prefer not to shake hands.
When collaborating with a pianist, bring copies of your scores even if you have already sent copies ahead of time. Carefully mark these scores with breaths, tempo changes, cadenzas, and cuts so you can use your rehearsal time efficiently. If you don’t hear a cue, or if transitions are not what you had anticipated, kindly and professionally ask for what you need. The pianist wants you to succeed. And, of course, thank your collaborator when your rehearsal is over.
Dress in business casual attire for these rehearsals but wear your performance shoes so you know what to expect when it is time to perform.
Live Streaming: The New Stage
Many competitions hold open auditions, allowing audience members to enjoy your performances, both live and online. When you sing for an audience, remember what you have learned from your directors and teachers; make interpretive decisions about where to look, what gestures to use, and blocking that will enhance, not detract from, your performances. When singing to the audience, try to engage with those in the balconies when possible, even if that is only during interludes and between selections.
If the competition will be streamed, know where the cameras will be situated, and engage with them as part of the audience. If you are in a small space, plan to make some eye contact with adjudicators and audience members. If you are performing in a large hall with stage lights, sing to the back of the hall, and when you sing to the side, be sure that the angle is shallow so that everyone can see your expressions.
Acknowledge the applause when you enter; take possession of the stage and enjoy performing your repertoire; thank your pianist, conductor, and ensemble; smile; and exit the stage area.
If all candidates are invited onto the stage after the competition has concluded, enjoy this time with your colleagues and connect once again with the audience, remembering that you have achieved success by being a finalist. As the results are announced, maintain your composure, regardless of the outcome.
After the Event
If there is a meet and greet or reception following the competition, take the opportunity to talk with the other singers, administrators, adjudicators, and audience members. Share your contact information, take photos, and enjoy your success. Consider posting a few comments on social media a few days after the event. And if you connected with a teacher, manager, coach, or director, write to them to cement this relationship.
Competitions can be used to successfully navigate your path toward a professional career. They offer opportunities to share your passion with diverse audiences and allow you to make connections with performers and musicians you otherwise might never meet. Enjoy these opportunities and show the world who you are. Toi, toi, toi!
