Top Ten Tips from an Audition Accompanist: Thomas Griep

1. Make sure your sheet music is taped together or in a binder.

Loose pages can fall off or slip into the piano easily during your audition. If you use plastic sheets, make sure they are the non-glare type.

2. Communicate with the people behind the table.

Be friendly. If they start talking to you, talk back. Be natural and comfortable. Don't shake hands unless they offer their hand first.

3. Pick a song that is appropriate for the show you are auditioning for.

Usually that means a song in a similar musical style.

4. Know your intro and ending.

Have your sheet music marked clearly where you want to start and stop or your first and last impressions can be less than perfect.

5. Tell your pianist what tempo you want.

Just sing a little of the song quietly at the piano to communicate the tempo and style.

6. If you are singing more than one song, give your instructions to the pianist one song at a time.

That allows you to walk over to the piano after the first song, regroup, and give the new tempo and instructions (key, start, stop, cuts, repeats.) The instructions will be fresh for the pianist. It is not uncommon for a pianist to play 400+ songs in a day.

7. Have at least one additional song (in a contrasting style) prepared.

Even when the breakdown says "one 16 bar song", they may want to hear something else. Bring the additional songs into the room with you and know where to find them in your book.

8. Have at least one additional song (in a contrasting style) prepared.

Even when the breakdown says "one 16 bar song", they may want to hear something else. Bring the additional songs into the room with you and know where to find them in your book.

9. Don't comment on your performance after you finish singing.

Don't roll your eyes or apologize. It is possible the casting team thought it was exactly what they were looking for.

10. Have fun.

This is your chance to do what you've always wanted to do - sing & act. The folks behind the table are on your side. They want you to succeed. They are looking for the perfect person for their project and you might be the one. Go sing and have a good time. It's your little 5 minute show.

---