All About Auditions
So you're thinking that you want to try out for the Meddies this year? Sweet. We'd love to see you come out. Let's tell you what to expect when you come.
Firstly, we're going to give you a questionnaire to complete while you wait for your turn. This is your opportunity to tell us about yourself and let us know how cool you think you are... wait... how cool you are. Right. Answer every question, no matter what, and put some real thought into it. These are like job interview questions-- it's not so much the answer itself as the thinking behind them. Between two and seventy-eight percent of your audition score will be based on the questionnaire.
When it comes to be your turn, you're going to walk into a room that's probably far too large for these small auditions. We're all going to be sitting in one corner of the room and we'll watch you silently as you take the long walk across the room. It would probably help if you introduced yourself as you came in and started talking to us right away-- It'll give you more time to loosen up.
Once we've all exchanged pleasantries, the musical part of the audition begns:
- First, we're going to test your range, to find out where, vocally, you would fit into the Meddies. This mainly consists of singing scales in any way you feel comfortable, be it "la, la, la", another syllable, or solfeggio (do-re-me, etc). Of course we're going to be hoping for certain voice parts more than others, but anyone who is a great singer will get full consideration, no matter what the voice part.
- Next we're going to play a little follow-the-leader with you. One of the members will sing a short line from a song (or something we're making up on the spot), and we'll ask you to sing it right back to us. It's usually a little bluesy/folksy and talks about life in Dixie. You don't have to jazz it up at all-- just sing what you heard.
- Then you'll hear a couple chords, and we'll ask you to sing one of the notes. For instance, we might ask you to sing/hum back the "highest note" that you hear. This can be hard, so just pay attention and take your time. There's no rush.
- After the chords, the rest of the group will join in the audition and we'll try to learn a verse of a song with you. This is to see a) if you can read music somewhat and b) if not, how quickly you can learn by ear. You'll have a few tries to learn and sing your part with one of our current members, and then that person will drop out and you'll sing in a quartet or something with people from other voice parts.
- The rest of the audition is up to you. You're welcome and encouraged to sing a song for us, and if you need a pitch, just ask for it. We always like for auditionees to tell us a joke, and it better be funny. If you don't have a funny joke, then just mock yourself and play brown-noser for five minutes and it may be okay ;-)
The auditions aren't designed to be either intimidating or difficult. We're simply looking for talented vocalists who have a good blend of musicianship and a good sense of humor.
Being in the Meddies is a great experience. You get to sing great music with even better guys in an environment that is really a lot of fun. Shows are the highlight of our week, and we really have a good time on stage. If that weren't enough, the history of the group is incredible, and many of our members live for the reunions, where you get to sit around and compare notes with Meddies who sang some of the same songs more than sixty years ago.
If you're a singer and like to have a good time while making serious music, then we really hope that you'll come out and throw in your hat. Watch the website for more details about when and where we're holding auditions, and if you're a freshman, listen for us around your dorm shortly before auditions. We'd be glad to answer any questions you may have.
Welcome [back"> to Bowdoin, and we can't wait to hear you sing for us!