It’s back-to-school time, and you’re juggling a thousand different things at once. Yet, you still haven’t found a creative outlet amidst your academics. Why not try a cappella?
We understand, it might seem like a stretch, but most of the groups here at Michigan State are composed of students who had never done a cappella before college! Sure, we get the Pitch Perfect jokes all the time, but it’s worth it—it’s even more fun than that.
Now that you’ve got the motivation, let’s discuss the audition process. Most groups will hold auditions over a few days. You’ll sign up for a specific time slot and will only need to be present for that period (usually about 7-10 minutes). You’ll introduce yourself, sing, answer a few questions, and then you’re done. If you get called back, those will be scheduled later in the week, and the process varies slightly by group. But overall, it’s pretty straightforward! Just be yourself.
You might be wondering what to wear, what to sing, or if you’re in the right place. Let’s address these questions.
What you wear is not crucial to evaluating your vocal abilities. However, we want to get to know you! Wear one of your favorite outfits or something that reflects your personality. We’re not just looking for a performer; we’re looking for a friend.
As for choosing a song, it’s not as daunting as it seems! Similar to your outfit, choose a song that best fits your vocal range and abilities. We want to see you shine in a way that’s right for you. It doesn’t matter if your song is from a different genre or style than what we normally sing—in fact, we love hearing diverse music as it inspires us to challenge ourselves in our own music creation. Just make sure your selection (preferably a verse and a chorus) is about a minute long. It doesn’t have to be perfect; we just want to see what you’ve got!
Lastly, you’ll know when you’re in the right place. As previously mentioned, many of us in Capital Green had never done a cappella in high school. In hindsight, we made history by being the first group from Michigan State to advance to finals in New York. You’re not just making music; you’re creating lifelong bonds. It might sound cliché, but after countless rehearsals, retreats, dinners, game nights, and concerts, you’ll forget why you ever doubted trying a cappella in the first place.
Trust yourself. Any group on campus would be lucky to have you, and we all foster a fun, creative, and exciting atmosphere here. You will find your home here; we hope it’s with us.
Best of luck. We can’t wait to see you!
For more information about the audition process, please visit our other blogs in the Audition 101 series.
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