How to present yourself at the competition - simple tips

Every vocalist dreams of winning a vocal competition or getting into a popular group, especially if he is young and talented. However, even the vocal teacher does not exactly represent how to present himself at the competition, therefore his advice can not always help the performer to take a worthy place or just perform well to pay attention to him.

Some performers, wishing to take part in the competition themselves, often do not show their data because they do not know the criteria for evaluating the performer or choose what they like themselves and not the repertoire showing the merits of their vocal preparation, therefore they often make mistakes.

Here are the most common ones:

1. The choice of too complex repertoire. Sometimes the vocalist begins to enjoy what can be sung very high or, on the contrary, low note, and chooses a complex work for the competition, in which he himself is still unsure. As a result, factors such as long waiting, excitement lead to the fact that at the most crucial moment he cannot show a decent result and gets worse grade than he could (how to overcome excitement before the performance).
2. Unreasoned movements. They often give out more than a voice, poor performer training. Therefore, a bad plastic can lower the mark for artistry, and also be perceived by the jury as poor-quality number preparation.
3. Uninteresting content of the number itself. There are songs that are interesting only in the clip version or with dance accompaniment. In solo performance, they sound uninteresting and boring, especially if they have a lot of repetition. Choosing such a number reduces the score and your chances of getting into the final.
4. Drama stage number. If you chose a gypsy costume for the performance of Carmen's aria, it will be accepted, but the same outfit will look ridiculous for the image of Juliet or Giselle. The costume should introduce the viewer to a different atmosphere and organically fit into the image of the vocal work.
5. The discrepancy between the nature of the work and the performer. Each song has its own story and drama. The performer must not only think over, but also feel and convey the content, its drama or basic mood. It is bound to have a plot, a climax and a close, and also intrigue. Only such a number can cause not only an emotional response, but also to be remembered by the audience. For example, all vocalists know the work "Adagio" by Albinoni. This is a dramatic work that can show different facets of the voice, including the ability to sing beautifully in different registers. But at contests rarely anyone with him ranks first, since not everyone can convey his drama, emotion and passion, therefore, almost all performers, it does not impress. But at one popular competition he was remembered by Paulina Dmitrenko. This singer was able not so much to show the vocal aspects of this work, as to convey the emotional state of the almost insane from the passion of a woman to such an extent that at the end of the performance she even had a little hoarse voice. But the impression was amazing. Here's how to show yourself in the competition to any performer.
   

   Therefore, your chosen vocal work should reflect not only all facets of your voice, but also convey the emotional state that you feel, accept and understand.

Evaluation criteria for voice and performance in the competition

Competitions are different, but the evaluation criteria for them are the same. The first thing the jury pays attention to is:

1. Exterior performer. It already in itself adjusts to the perception of a particular number. For example, from a blonde in a pink dress waiting for a lyrical and light piece, from a girl with black hair in a long red dress more dramatic numbers. Clothes, the initial pose of the performer, his make-up and hairstyle - all this adjusts to the image and perception. Sometimes the music sounds before the performance of the number. In this case, the performer’s exit can either introduce the viewer into his atmosphere or spoil the whole impression. But, if the number is comic, you can play precisely on this contrast. The main thing is that the hairstyle, costume and type of performer correspond to the content of the vocal number.
2. Plastic. She gives out not only your self-confidence, but also the degree of preparedness of the number. This is especially evident in the fast rooms. Therefore, all movements and gestures need to be thought out and coordinated with the music, the sound of the number, as well as its content, but do not overdo it so that you have enough breath to sing. Remember that heavy movements with jumps are possible only under a phonogram, but not under a live performance. Vocalists do not move much, but on the other hand all movements express emotions and organically fit into the content of the song.
3. Clean intonation. False execution is the first sign of lack of professionalism. In the first rounds, it is the performers who cannot sing cleanly, especially into the microphone, are eliminated.
4. Lack of voice in some parts of the range. Many singers break out on a scream on the top notes or start to sing fakely on low notes. This can also lower your score and the opportunity to reach the final. This is often the case if the composition does not match your voice and its range, especially for beginner vocalists.
5. Bad diction and speech defects. If you do not pronounce the words clearly, then it will be difficult for you to reach the final. But if you can play on intonation, then you may be able to conquer the jury with your performance, although you are unlikely to win.
6. Lack of energy and emotionality, as well as relaxedness in execution. Executors with weak energy are immediately visible. Their voice sounds dull and lifeless, and the intonation becomes monotonous, not conveying the content of the song. Therefore, before the performance, you need to rest and get in shape so that your performance remains emotional, despite fatigue. The tightness and stiffness are also visible in the voice. It becomes monotonous and, as it were, metallic, like that of a robot, and sometimes disappears in some areas. Toughness also reduces the mark for artistry, because the performer could not get into the image, feel and convey the content of the song (how to overcome the tightness in the voice).
7. The power of voice and its range. Your work should maximally show the capabilities of your voice, the ability to sing in different parts of the range quietly and loudly. These are mandatory criteria for evaluating voice and performance in any competition.
8. The integrity of the image and its compliance with the objectives of the competition. The image that you choose should be complete and thought out to the smallest detail, as well as the repertoire itself correspond to the objectives of the competition. If he has a patriotic orientation, then the song should be about nature, the beauty of his native country and admiration for it. If this is a competition of neutral content (for example, a competition of young performers), then the vocal composition should show your voice, artistry and emotionality. And if this is a contest like "I want to Viagra", then it should show your maturity, individuality and showiness, and not to ridiculously deliberate sexuality, as many inexperienced casting participants did.

These are the modern criteria for assessing the voice and performance at competitions of various levels and orientations.

What you need to know before performing at the competition

These rules will help you to adequately show yourself, and not to overwork during a long wait. Here is what you need to know before performing at the competition:

1. Preliminary casting. Sometimes at the audition you are asked to show something unusual. This is not worth doing, as the jury is trying to identify performers with inadequate self-esteem and weed out overly eccentric personalities. At the preliminary casting, you should simply sing a piece from the work and present the program. Sometimes the day before the competition is asked to show the number in full. This is done in order to remove poorly prepared numbers from the competition and the concert program, so at the casting it is worthwhile to show mastery, but without overwork.
2. You need to come to the contest as soon as possible in order to have time to change clothes and, if possible, to rehearse the song. So try not to be late.
3. If your number is among the last, Start preparing for it for 2 or 3 numbers before going on stage, not earlier. Otherwise you will burn out and you will not be able to sing a beautiful song.
4. Before the performance can not eat fast food, chips, something salty or sweet, as well as drink carbonated drinks. It is better to drink some juice or milk, but low-fat.
5. Before the performance itself, you need to get a little distracted. This will help you start singing with fresh forces. You shouldn’t have to rehearse a lot before the contest itself - you’ll burn out and sing a song not as emotionally as you could.
6. And finally, before singing it is not worth talking a lot on the phone, so as not to overdo the voice. It is desirable to be silent for an hour. This is the main thing you need to know before performing at the competition. Good luck to you, dear vocalists!