I sing. I'm studying and getting pretty good.

[Not Heidi]

I intend to audition for the Orange County (CA) Women's Chorus. I'm working with a coach, who is tremendous. Very good at what he does. Besides voice, he's also teaching me solfege*, to read music, to master rhythm, and more.

I have a serious problem, though. I can't get through my chosen audition song without tearing up. I hate it, but I'd hate it worse if it happened in my audition.

Does anyone have any ideas as to how to handle this? I don't know when my audition will be, but suspect early- to mid-2025.

Thanks for whatever advice, or even just comments you have.

*The key is to watch the hell out of The Sound of Music (doe, a deer . . .). 😉

[Walleye]

1. I understand there are some things I can't even say without choking up. Now I'm wondering what song it is.

[Doodley]

2. Just keep singing it until there are few tears left, but it's okay to cry.

[MiHale]

3. It shows the passion you have...

Sometimes the missing ingredient in a performance. Emotion can’t be faked.

[ramen]

4. This (mostly) abates with practice.

A piece can still grab and shake you unexpectedly, but heavy repetition should sand off some of that top layer of emotion so that you can still deeply feel what you are singing while still being able to get through singing it. I would avoid suppressing the emotion in that phase of practice: you don't want to bury the reaction, you want to repeatedly confront and live in it clearly enough that it stops controlling you.

[woodsprite]

5. I've had success with concentrating on the technicsl

Aspects of the song, and repetition. Sometimes I’ll pinch my hand or hold something. What song is it?

I’m glad you’re doing well and enjoying the lessons. Solfeg is not my favorite thing, but it can really help with sight reading. My high school director would pick out a few stanzas from the solfegio reader and we’d do them before each rehearsal.

I just told our Director last night that I’m interested in a solo or duet for Christmas. He said he’s going to start pointing to people next week. He knows me well so I’m hoping he considers my breath control challenge when assigning one.

Best of luck on the audition!

Oh, and crying with emotional songs is why I don’t sing a funerals. I have done a few weddings though. Also, if it’s in a foreign language, it helps!

[ProfessorGAC]

6. I'd Try Focusing, Or Even...

...overfocusing, on technique.
"What does my throat feel like on this note?" "Exactly when am I going to draw a breath?", "How much vibrato do I need?"...
That might distract you from the lyrical meaning enough to keep control.