Information for Auditions

Soloists

Do you love to sing?

Why not speak to your choir teacher if you would like to audition as a soloist for the Festival of Music! This is a wonderful opportunity to sing with a choir of more than 400 voices and an orchestra – all on the Adelaide Festival Theatre main stage!

Soloists

The Solo audition and selection process happens in Term 2 in schools with auditions in Week 6.

The number of soloists a school can nominate is directly linked to your school's allocation:

Quarter Row (9 students) can nominate for ONE solo
Half Row (17 students) can nominate for TWO solos
Full Row (34 students) can nominate for FOUR solos
Above One Row (49+ students) can nominate for SIX solos

Note that each solo part can only be nominated once (e.g. only one student can sing the solo for "Song To Sing"). A student can only nominate for a maximum of two solos. 
 

This year's soloist songs are:

Beautiful Creatures: Rap solo 1, b69-76

Beautiful Creatures: Rap solo 1, b69-76

  • This rap solo requires a strong clear tone with accuracy in rhythm and Portuguese language!
  • Energy in eyes and face – standing with a strong body, have fun!
  • Very clear diction with strong consonants.
  • Practice moving and grooving to the Brazilian beats!!
  • Read through the grey box in the Songbook and know what this funky song is about.
  • Check out the QR code in your Songbook to watch the energy of the Barbatuques.
  • Activate your face and put some thought into your presentation for the audition.


    Follow the link for Hints and Tips from Daivik the Rapper https://youtu.be/NS-pPE_Br3s 

Beautiful Creatures: Rap solo 2, b77-85

Beautiful Creatures: Rap solo 2, b77-85

  • This rap must also have a strong clear tone with accuracy in rhythm and nonsense syllables. 
  • Energy in eyes and face – standing with a strong body, with some ‘cheeky’ attitude.
  • Very clear diction with strong consonants, tell the ‘funny’ story – as character of Blu’s pop.
  • Practice moving and grooving to the Brazilian beats!!
  • Read through the grey box in the Songbook and know what the song is about.
  • Check out the QR code in your Songbook to watch the energy of the Barbatuques.
  • Activate your face and put some thought into your presentation for the audition.


    Follow the link for Hints and Tips from Daivik the Rapper https://youtu.be/NS-pPE_Br3s 

Song To Sing: Solo 1, b2-19

Song To Sing: Solo 1, b2-19

  • This is a bright, ‘sparkly’ melody that begins this song, and the story of feeling down and sad…...
  • A voice with strength and clarity will suit this solo, but not too much ‘scooping’ into notes.
  • Also having a light flexible quality to cover the large range of notes.
  • Be exact with the rhythms – they are quite tricky and fit with the lyrics. 
  • Clarity in diction - every consonant articulated at the slow tempo. 
  • Well supported breath for each phrase, and for holding the longer notes at the end of a phrase.
  • Observe rests = silence throughout the solo.
  • Read through the grey box in the Songbook and know what the song is about.
  • Activate your face and put some thought into your presentation for the audition.

Small Stuff: Solo 1, b17-32

Small Stuff: Solo 1, b17-32

  • Verse 1 is the first solo – set the scene for the message of this song…See grey box in Songbook if not sure.
  • A voice that is light and bouncy, crisp and clear, accurate in pitch and rhythms.
  • Be sure to include the silence at the quaver rests to just ‘break’ the sound.
  • It is moderately soft in volume, but confident and clear! 
  • Practice moving and grooving to this boppy little piece.
  • Activate your face and put some thought into your presentation for the audition.

Proud:  Solo 1, b9-24

Proud:  Solo 1, b9-24

  • Stand with a strong body, feel the power of the orchestral backing, and have popstar attitude.
  • Have plenty of energy for this funky Verse 1 solo that starts the song.
  • Very clear diction with strong consonants.
  • Sing with some storytelling and an understanding of the message in the lyrics. determination + sense of self.
  • Read through the grey box in the Songbook and know what the song is about.
  • Activate your face and put some thought into your presentation for your audition.
Pre-Audition Solo Workshop

Limited to 50 students for each workshop.

Students who are thinking of auditioning to be a soloist are encouraged to attend the Pre-Audition Solo Workshop. This is not a pre-requisite of auditioning, however, the aim of this workshop is to help work on pitch and rhythm accuracy, to learn and understand what we are looking for at the audition. Get tips on “how to be the best you can be”, to learn how to rehearse with the app and to find out what to expect at the audition.

Families or Choir Teachers can book students in to the Pre-Audition Solo Workshop.

Tuesday 7 May at PSMF Klemzig, 28 Hay Street from 4:15pm - 5:45pm 
OR
Wednesday 15 May at Darlington PS, 9-11 White Cres, SEACOMBE GARDENS from 4:15pm - 5:45pm 

Bookings are capped at 50 students.
Please note you will need to complete one Pre-Audition form per student.

Disclaimer
We acknowledge that the below videos by guest presenter Mark Oates are linked to the 2020 repertoire BUT the concepts and ideas that Mark shows can be applied to EVERY song this year. 

There are some FANTASTIC tips for students to prepare for their solo audition.

Take a look and learn some tips on how to be a great soloist in 2024.