Selecting the Perfect Song for a Tenor Singer's Juilliard Audition

Preparing for a tenor singer's audition at Juilliard is a meticulous process that requires careful selection of a song. Your choice should not only showcase your vocal métier/fach but should also align with the audition requirements and be a piece that you feel comfortable singing.

Understanding Vocal Métier/Fach

Your vocal métier/fach is a crucial factor in choosing the right audition piece. It refers to the type of voice and the type of repertoire that best suits it. There are several categories, including lyric tenor, spinto tenor, and Germanic high lyric, each with its own set of characteristics and appropriate repertoire.

Lyric Tenor with a Beautiful Legato and Expressive Phrasing

If you have a lyric tenor voice with beautiful legato lines and expressive phrasing, consider singing a piece that highlights these qualities. For instance, a piece like "Dulcinea del Quita
from Don Juan Tenorio by Miguel de Cervantes could be a fantastic choice. This aria has a lyrical quality that displays your finesse and phrasing beautifully.

Italian Spinto Tenor with Expressiveness and Ability to Build Sound

For a spinto tenor with a powerful yet expressive voice, songs like "La Danza" by Giovanni Rossini can be a great option. This piece is dramatic and acrobatic, requiring excellent breath control and vocal diction. It also offers some novelty since it's not frequently performed, making it a distinctive choice.

Germanic High Lyric Sound but Not a Heldentenor

If you have a more Germanic high-lyric sound but not a Heldentenor, pieces like “Hier steht der Wandrer nun” from Henry J. Litolff's The Seasons could be suitable. This aria showcases your ability to handle high notes and display a lyrical quality that is essential for your voice type.

Competition and Novelty

While technical proficiency and vocal comfort are crucial, it's also beneficial to choose a piece that is less commonly performed. Songs like Nessun Dorma, often performed in auditions and productions, might be less effective for highlighting your unique voice. Instead, going with a piece like “Spirito Gentil” from Antonio Donizetti's La Favorita can make a significant impact.

Teacher's Guidance

Selecting the perfect audition piece is a collaborative effort. A teacher's experience and insight can be invaluable. For example, when the author successfully auditioned at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM), it was the guidance of their piano and violin teacher that chose the right piece. Always listen to your teacher's advice on what to perform. They can tailor pieces to highlight your strengths and avoid pieces that might not suit your voice type.

Ultimately, the key to a successful audition lies in choosing a song that you feel most comfortable and confident singing. This confidence will translate to a more convincing and impressive performance.

Keywords: tenor audition, Juilliard, audition requirements, vocal métier/fach, lyric tenor, spinto tenor, Germanic high lyric sound, teacher's guidance, competition and novelty