All-State / Region Competition To-Dos! (2020-2021 School Year Edition)

We have practiced for months... We have our cuts... And now the competition is around the corner! It's a bit different this year, so here are some good to-dos to keep in mind.

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1) Stay Positive

How you are feeling and your outlook can affect how you record. Your voice is produced from your body. Our body and it's muscles get tense when we are stressed... And that can then be noticeable in the voice. You've done the work- so now it's time to let what you have practiced fall into place and focus on a positive execution. And if you need to rerecord and have that ability, then do so!

2) Create a Comfortable Environment For Recording.

And similar to "Stay Positive"... your environment also plays a part in how you are feeling along with your ability to record. Find a room that is noise-free and start to settle in.

Make sure that you have your device ready to record and that the accompaniment track is good to go. If you are able to, check the track and voice sound balance. Whether you are just holding your music or using a stand, have a set up that makes it easy to flip through your pages. No one can see you so feel free to use that to your advantage this year; if dressing up makes you feel ready, then go for it! Or maybe throwing on a pair of PJs and feeling comfortable and at home will bring you more ease. Make it an enjoyable space. Have some tea or hot chocolate, whatever you need to make you feel your best.

3) Properly Warm-Up

Some are more inclined to just jump straight to recording but be sure to get in a proper vocal warm up prior to any submissions. You'll feel better and it will more than likely turn out better. :)

4) Music Markings

It is usually mentioned often in our lessons but... be sure that your important markings are clear and noticeable in your music! You get to use your sheet music so make the most of it. Pencils, highlighters, pens (if you must) all can be used to mark on a printed sheet while you can use the markup setting for digital sheet music. Auditions go by fast so making everything super clear is helpful.

5) Don't Wait Until the Last Minute!

It's super easy to just push it off and decide to record closer to the submission date... but I suggest not to do that. Go ahead and try to make some recordings ahead of time. If you get a great one, go ahead and submit. But with waiting comes stress and a time crunch. And we all know how often Murphy's Law creeps up on us when we have to do things last minute!

6) Don't Drive Yourself Crazy With Rerecording

Some people feel relief when you can record and submit an audition... while others might have a harder time with that... We are looking at you, perfectionists. So if you have prepared yourself and your music, have a good recording set up, are relaxed and positive then you are in a wonderful position. Don't be too hard on yourself. If you notice you are rerecording take after take, then it's time to take a break. Come back to it. If you give yourself time then there is no rush. And remember that no performance is perfect. We are humans. So be kind to yourself... Most likely you will even sound better when you are kinder to yourself.