Cabaret Auditions: A Salute to the GRAMMY Awards

Eligible Music: Songs of any genre which have been nominated for a GRAMMY Award or have won a GRAMMY Award.

Auditions are Monday, September 24 during regular rehearsal; Requests (applications) and music are due September 17. Cabaret will be held October 27.

  • Please complete the Cabaret Audition Request form.
  • Singers and instrumentalists, please make sure that you read over this information more than once. The directors have included some very good tips to assist you in your audition experience.
  • The Cabaret includes performances by each choir, solos and groups of singers. Judges will be selecting singers and instrumentalists for participation in the Cabaret concert.
  • Please make sure you are prepared to perform as if it is the live show (including movement/dance if that applies).
  • There will be limited rehearsal opportunities at regular rehearsals between the auditions and the cabaret. We are in the process of scheduling additional rehearsals. We will get that schedule out as soon as possible and will ask that singers sign up for additional rehearsal times. Once they have signed up for these additional rehearsal times, they will be committed to attend.
  • Piano accompaniment will be provided for auditions and the performance (sheet music to be supplied by singer), but if a singer wishes to have any other instrumental accompaniment she must make her own plans. Piano accompaniment (sheet music) must be provided by September 17 so the accompanist has time to prepare.
  • All questions specifically related to Cabaret auditions should be directed to LaJonna Tillman (LaJonnaT@msn.com). Feel free to contact Mrs. Tillman if you have any questions about genres, song choices, etc. – she is happy to give you feedback if you are uncertain whether your song choice is appropriate.
  • An impartial team of judges (Meredith College alumni from the music department) will make final selections for the Cabaret performance.

Song Selection

  • Is it written for a soprano, alto, tenor or bass? Is the piece originally written for a woman or a man?  Does that matter?  Sometimes
  • Know your strengths.  If you naturally sing high, then pick a piece that shows that off.
  • Is the style appropriate for you?  If you’ve never sung R&B, don’t suddenly choose an R&B song.  If you’ve done tons of gospel, sing gospel. Stick with what you are most familiar and comfortable with.
  • Are the lyrics appropriate?
  • Choose songs that translate well to the piano. We aren’t going to have a live band!

**Please note: we are hoping for strong participation from our singers! However, due to the time limitations of the performance, we may have to ask some singers who audition for solos to join together for duets or ensembles.

BONUS thoughts from your directors:

  • You are auditioning from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave. Are you putting your best foot forward?
  • Be on time, which is early! Be there before that time so you can make sure you have everything, have time to get water, go to the bathroom, and relax before you start the audition.
  • Be prepared. Have everything ready to go – your audition sheet, your music, your voice.
  • Appearance. When auditioning, your clothing should match the type of audition. While it is not necessary that you be dressed up, we do want you to look professional, not like you rolled out of bed! Remember an audition is a performance.
  • Offer no excuses.  Don’t tell your judges you were late because of traffic, your parents, etc. Don’t tell the judges all about the cold you’ve been suffering from. They can hear it in your voice if you have a cold. They’ll ask you about it. When you start an audition with excuses, it doesn’t set a great tone.
  • Know what you’re auditioning for. Have intelligent questions ready. Can you handle the requirements and commitment if you are selected? Are you able to make all rehearsals/dress rehearsals?
  • Have your sheet music ready to go. If you have loose sheets, put them in a notebook that is easy for a piano player to handle (not one full of junk, torn, folded music…).
  • Know where you are starting in the music, and know where you are ending. Have the music in the right key. Don’t assume that your piano player can change keys.
  • Be vocally healthy and vocally warmed up. If it has been since morning since you sang, sing before you get there. Sing warm-ups from class or sing along to the radio. Start slowly and softly. Don’t start singing in a warm-up with your hardest, highest part.
  • Have your music totally memorized. Don’t ask if you can look at the music, look over the piano player’s shoulder, look at a word sheet.

Places to locate appropriate sheet music:

Register for a Cabaret Audition →