Sunday, April 22, 2012

Audition Update


Greetings readers,

It's audition update time!

You may remember a previous post where I documented my audition escapades. I thought you may be interested to know how they all turned out.

National Youth Choir (NYC)

Strangely enough, the recording I made one evening in my bedroom managed to get me accepted into the NYC. Unfortunately, by the time I received news of my acceptance, I had accepted an invitation to present my thesis research at the Canadian Speech Pathology conference which coincides with the NYC. Thus, I will not be singing with other talented Canadian choristers this May. It was a bit sad to turn down the opportunity, but as hard as I try to accommodate my speechie and chorister interests, there are just some times it doesn't mesh. Though it's unfortunate I cannot sing in the NYC, I will still be singing at Podium with Belle Canto. However, in the back of my mind, I just thought: "Well, there's still World Youth Choir..."  

Europa Cantat Chamber Choir (ECCC)

This was by far the most work intensive application I had to put together in terms of paperwork. When I received news a few weeks back that there weren't enough applications to form the choir, I just thought: "You've got to be kidding me! I learned the last two pages of the Webern test piece for nothing!" Little did I know it would be the test piece for Pro Coro auditions this week. So thank-you ECCC; I owe you one.  

World Youth Choir (WYC)

Waiting for news of this acceptance was the emotionally draining, because not only was it the last one to be announced, it was also one that required the most substantial time commitment. It's hard to plan your life when there's a gaping hole of uncertainty in your schedule. Alas, Facebook status teasers in the previous weeks didn't help either, which kept providing statistics on the number of applications and the number of available spots. Wow, there's only 1 spot for every 18 singers that applied. Those statistics don't look good, and that doesn't even take into account the number of available spots in each voice part. However, as they promised, they posted the list mid-April on Thursday morning. My stomach felt queasy as I downloaded the Alto PDF roster. I just wanted to know so I could be put of my misery and move on with my life. A quick scan of the list confirmed my general feeling of unease throughout the past few weeks. I didn't get in.

I looked more closely at the stats. There were 7 alto II positions and 4 spots for new singers (3 singers were re-invited back from the previous year). My main feelings in response to the news were disappointment followed by peacefulness. Was I really looking forward to this opportunity? Of course! I would have gotten to meet a passionate group of international choristers, sing awesome music, tour to Greece and Turkey, and write inspired blog posts. Do I feel like sobbing hysterically into my pillow? Definitely not. Clearly, I'm not emotionally crippled by the rejection, since the e-mail I received from WYC the day afterwards brought a smile to my face.

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We are very sorry to announce that for the session 2012 of the World Youth Choir you have not been selected. 

Nevertheless, we encourage you to keep training yourself as a musician and as a singer, to audition next year in order to become part of this unique musical and social experience.

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I just thought it was funny that, in case there was any potential misunderstanding, they provided the rejection statement in bold, red font.

Auditions are such a strange, artificial construct. Within 10-15 minutes, you're expected to demonstrate your full range and skills as a singer and we, as performers, continually subject ourselves to these vulnerable situations. I think we're all a little crazy. However, the result of being accepted makes it worthwhile because then you get the opportunity to do what you love - make music. At least that's what I'm telling myself with Pro Coro auditions coming this week. I'll be sure to keep you all posted in regards to the upcoming Pro Coro audition process.

Until next time readers, take care!

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