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"These are the very best students, all learning from each other and growing with each other, and that’s an experience a young artist won’t find anywhere else. It’s also rewarding to meet others who love singing as much as I do. "

- Joey DeBenedetto
Home + Students + Disciplines + Voice + Popular
POPULAR VOICE REQUIREMENTS
Participants are required to submit a videotaped audition which must include the following - in this order:









1. A composition in any style of the participant's own choosing (pop, rock, R&B, gospel, folk, country, alternative, etc.)

2. A second selection based on the criteria listed above.

3. One standard or traditional popular song written between 1950 through 1970.

4. One contemporary popular song written during or after 1980.

  • All audition submissions must be memorized.
  • Instrumental introductions should be reduced to four or eight measures (as appropriate). Instrumental finales should be reduced as well.
  • Submit selections in contrasting styles: a mixture of up-tempo and ballads, not all blues, not all R&B, not all power ballads, ect.
  • Musical Theater repertoire is not accepted for pop voice.
  • Avoid current hits and songs that carry a strong imprint of the original singer.
REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTENT OF VOICE VIDEOTAPE/DVD AUDITION:


Do's
(required)
Don'ts
(can be disqualified)
1. Record your audition in the order listed above using a NEW VHS cassette or DVD.

Do not submit a mini-DV, mini cassette or VCD. QuickTime and AVI files will not be accepted for adjudication.
2. Announce your audition in the following manner:"My YoungArts ID# is 08009999/275." (You will receive your YoungArts ID# once you have completed the registration process). Also include the names and composers of the pieces as well as the DVD track/Chapter # or VHS/DVD player counter/Timestamp on the content card inside the DVD/VHS case/box.

Do not state your name or place it in or on the video/DVD box/case. Do not make any other comments.

Note your selection cannot go over 2 minutes. Excluding your introduction, total audition cannot exceed 8 minutes.
3. Dress appropriately for your audition.

4. Accompaniment is limited to one piano (prefered) or a pre-recorded format without any vocals except the participants.

Do not use any other type of accompaniment.
5. Use a fixed point of view for your camera with the student auditioning being the main focus. Shoot straight on, leaving the camera in one location.

Do not pan, move the camera, or follow the vocalist. Camera may be no closer than waist up.
6. Use a good quality microphone and check for good balance and blend. Edits between pieces are allowed. Make sure the level of your piano accompaniment does not overpower the sound of your voice on the tape.

Do not make film edits within a piece. No sound enhancements are allowed.
7. Submit your audition materials according to the official mailing requirements.

Do not submit pre-recorded live performances, such as recitals or concerts.
Recommendations
  • There should be short pauses between selections.
  • If recording your pieces onto a DVD, do not assume that our adjudicators will be able to view it. As soon as the DVD is recorded, make certain you view it in it’s entirety on a standard DVD player prior to submitting. Do not view your submission on a laptop or desktop as it could format the disc to play only on a computer.

NOTE: Videotapes/DVDs will not be returned. Participants should make and keep copies of all materials submitted. YoungArts is not responsible for submissions lost or damaged in the mail.
 

 

 

 

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