How to Prepare for a Singing Audition: Expert Tips

Tyler Connaghan
Music producer, Singer
10/21/25 | Last modified: 10/24/25

I still remember my first audition. I was in sixth grade, first year of middle school, standing in front of the entire class with sweaty hands and a voice that couldn’t decide if it wanted to be a kid’s or an adult’s. 

I’d never sung in public before, but for some reason, I thought it was a good idea to perform “Geek in the Pink” by Jason Mraz. I figured channeling Jason (who was all the rage at the time) with my fedora and pre-pubescent voice would make me cool (spoiler, it didn’t). My friends were laughing, my voice cracked halfway through, and I wanted the stage floor to swallow me whole.

But what saved me was my choir director. She saw potential and guided me through the basics. Breathing, tone, confidence, and preparation. Much of what she taught me then still guides how I approach every audition from then on out. Great performances don’t come from luck. They come from being ready, grounded, and fully yourself when it counts. 

In this guide, we’ll learn how to prepare for a singing audition the right way, so you can go into your next one with confidence. 

Choose the Right Song

One of the first steps in learning how to prepare for a singing audition is choosing the right song. Your song choice sets the tone before you even start singing. You’re there to show judges who you are and what you bring to the stage that’s different from the next person. 

Pick a piece that fits your natural range and tone. It should feel comfortable. 

Make sure you’re familiar with the piece, too. Choose something you know inside out so you can focus on the emotion of the song instead of fighting nerves or trying to remember lyrics. 

The best auditions come from singers who connect to what they’re singing.

Think about the audition setting as well. Musical theater panels often want to see your storytelling abilities. That means having clear diction and embodying the character of the piece. Pop or commercial auditions, on the other hand, are more stylistic, leaning on your individuality and tone. 

No matter the song you choose, about a minute to a minute and a half is often enough to make an impact.

Also, try to avoid songs that appear on every audition list unless you can give them a new feel. Judges have heard “Let It Go” and “Someone Like You” hundreds of times.

Understand the Emotional Journey of Your Song

I’d never bash proper technique, but to me, emotion is more important. It’s one of the most overlooked tips for singing auditions. The way you carry a song’s story can tell the audience far more than a perfect high note. 

Every song has an emotional arc, and understanding that arc is what separates a performance from a recital.

Start by breaking your song into sections. 

Where does the emotion shift? Where does it build? Maybe the verse begins with uncertainty and the chorus opens up with more confidence. 

Mark those moments to nail the delivery.

Then, connect the lyrics to something real. It doesn’t have to match the story exactly. Just draw from a genuine memory or feeling that puts you inside the song’s world. 

One simple exercise I like is writing one or two sentences about what each section of the song feels like emotionally, similar to how you might journal. Before you sing, read those lines and picture the emotion in your body. This will help you create emotional muscle memory and turn your performance into something true and believable.

Select a Backup Song

Many auditions ask for a second song, so don’t be the deer in headlights when the panel asks for one. 

When choosing your second piece, go for something that contrasts the first. 

If your first song is upbeat and energetic, make the second slower or more reflective. The goal is to show range without stepping too far outside your comfort zone.

Practice singing the two songs back to back so the transition feels natural. 

Work on Stage Presence Beyond Singing

The way you walk into the room, stand, breathe, and make eye contact all speak before your voice does. An audition panel will gauge your energy right away.

Start with your posture. Stand tall but relaxed, with your feet grounded and shoulders free. Keep your chin level and your breath steady to project assurance. 

Practice this daily to build muscle memory so your body naturally falls into a confident stance.

Use your eyes intentionally. When singing to a small panel, focus just above their heads or shift your gaze between neutral points instead of locking onto one person. You don’t want to stare into someone’s soul, but you don’t want to look unengaged either. 

A mirror or a quick phone video can reveal more than you think. Notice how you move. Are your gestures distracting, or do they match the story? Sometimes a small hand movement or a subtle step can say more than a full-on performance

Prepare for Possible Cold Readings or Improv

Auditions don’t always go exactly as planned. You might be asked to change the key, adjust the tempo, or sing a few bars of an unfamiliar piece on the spot. These things will test your flexibility. Stay calm and adapt. This will show the panel that you’re a professional. 

If you’re nervous about being given a new piece on the spot, practice sight-singing a few minutes a day. Use simple sheet music or sight-reading apps to familiarize yourself with pitch and rhythm recognition. 

The Aussie Vocal Coach has some excellent pitch exercises that I highly recommend making part of your routine leading up to your audition:

If the panel asks you to improvise, focus on your rhythm and tone rather than being overly worried about hitting the right notes. Commit fully to the moment instead of second-guessing. Take a grounding breath before you start, and go. 

Record Your Rehearsals for Self-Review

One of the most practical tips for singing auditions is watching or listening to yourself. It’s the same way a football team studies game replays to spot what worked and what didn’t. Athletes, dancers, and even actors do the same thing.

Recording your rehearsals gives you a perspective you don’t get in the moment. You might even catch habits you didn’t realize were there, like slouching or tight jaw movement.

I also recommend keeping a short rehearsal journal to track your progress over time. Write down what improved, what needs work, and how you’ve grown from week to week.

The goal here is to become aware. You won’t be perfect at first, and that’s okay. The important thing is that you’re growing. Every playback is a small coaching session with yourself.

What Song Should You Choose for a Vocal Audition?

You don’t just want to pick the hardest piece to impress the panel. Instead, find a song that fits with your voice. A well-fitted song should feel like an extension of you, not a performance you’re trying to fit into.

Here are a few song choices from some of my favorite auditions I’ve seen over the years:

Pop / Contemporary

• “Someone You Loved” – Lewis Capaldi 
• “Back to Black” – Amy Winehouse 

Musical Theatre

• “On My Own” – Les Misérables 
• “Corner of the Sky” – Pippin

Classic Standards

• “Fly Me to the Moon” – Frank Sinatra 
• “At Last” – Etta James
  

Beginner-Friendly Choices

• “Riptide” – Vance Joy
• “Count on Me” – Bruno Mars

What Not to Do Before a Singing Audition

The day before your audition, do everything you can to preserve your voice. Avoid a long, late night out or long practice sessions. Rest, hydrate, and eat light. Your vocal cords need time to recover, just like any muscle. Skip shouting or talking loudly in noisy places, and keep your throat warm and relaxed.

Don’t overdo it on your caffeine intake either. It can dry your throat and heighten your nerves. Opt for water or herbal tea instead. A gentle warm-up is fine, but save your full vocal workout for rehearsal days. A few light scales and breathing exercises are enough to do the trick. 

Here’s a quick pre-audition checklist you can keep with you:

• Hydrate well the day before and morning of

• Light warm-ups ONLY

• Limit your caffeine and sugar intake

• Stretch and release jaw or shoulder tension

• Focus on your preparation, not the room around you

How to Prepare Your Voice for an Audition with Forbrain

​​Forbrain’s bone conduction headset is a unique singing tool, as it provides instant awareness. Instead of relying only on what you hear bouncing back through the air, Forbrain transmits sound through the bones of your skull, letting you hear your own voice with incredible clarity. 

This helps you recognize subtle differences in pitch, tone, and articulation that can easily go unnoticed during regular practice, and keeps you from feeling fatigued when singing difficult pieces.

That real-time feedback improves pitch consistency and diction, which can make or break an audition. By hearing how your sound sits in the body, you naturally adjust breath support and resonance. 

FAQs

What do judges look for in auditions?

Judges focus on tone, storytelling, and stage presence as much as vocal skill. They want to see a singer who knows how to connect with a song and perform with authenticity. 

How long should my singing audition be?

Most auditions last between 60 and 90 seconds. Panels prefer a short, complete performances with range. Pick a song section that builds naturally and ends cleanly.

How do I mentally prepare for an audition?

Center your breath before you sing. Ground yourself and visualize your performance. Act as if you’re there to share your music instead of prove yourself.

What should I bring with me to a singing audition?

Bring printed sheet music, a quality backing track (if needed), a bottle of water, and shoes you can move comfortably in. 

Reference List

Nudelman, C., Udd, D., Åhlander, V. L., & Bottalico, P. (2023). Reducing Vocal Fatigue With Bone Conduction Devices: Comparing Forbrain and Sidetone Amplification. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 66(11), 4380–4397. https://doi.org/10.1044/2023_jslhr-23-00409