What It’s Like to Audition for The Voice + Recommended Vocal Audition Sheet Music
“For me, it was just something fun,” said Chuck P. of his decision to audition for The Voice a couple of weeks ago.
“For me, it was just something fun,” said Chuck P. of his decision to audition for The Voice a couple of weeks ago. A vocalist/keyboardist in a very popular local cover band by night and Musicnotes’ go-to guy by day, our ‘Chuck-of-all-trades’ sat down to share his experience auditioning for The Voice, and offer his suggestions regarding which supplies to bring, how to prepare and what to expect when getting ready for your own talent show vocal audition.
When Chuck heard that The Voice was holding first-round auditions in Chicago, just a short drive from Musicnotes headquarters in Madison, Wis., he figured he’d fill out an application and make a quick trip out of it.
To audition for The Voice, you need to meet a few eligibility requirements: you must be a legal resident of the US, at least 15 years old (don’t worry, Chuck, we won’t divulge your actual age) and in good physical/mental health, you agree to submit to a background check, and you cannot be a candidate for public office. Once all those boxes are checked, you can create an artist account on The Voice audition website.
Once your account is activated, you may upload videos of yourself performing your audition, which producers will watch ahead of time and offer tips on. Otherwise, like Chuck, you can register for an open call audition location/time directly on the site. There are only a certain number of open audition slots per location/time, and you’re responsible for all transportation to your audition. You must download and present a physical print-out of your pass for audition entry, and you’ll need to respond to a confirmation email a week before your audition.
What to Bring
The day of your audition, you should be prepared with, at a minimum, your audition pass and photo ID. The number on your pass doesn’t indicate the order in which you’ll audition, so it’s also a great idea to bring snacks/water and something to pass the time while you wait. Wear comfortable, yet professional clothing that shows your personality as an artist. Friends/family will need to wait outside of the doors once you arrive, unless you’re under the age of 18, in which case a parent or guardian may come with you.
Chuck said many of the auditioners were listening to headphones, and the overall vibe while waiting to audition was very convivial. Prepare two a cappella pieces for auditioning (single verse and chorus), although you may only need to sing one. Chuck auditioned both songs he prepared, “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic and “Locked Out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars, choices to display his artistic style and vocal range.
What to Expect
There will be thousands of aspiring stars waiting to audition, girls and guys of all ages and skill levels. You’ll be assigned an audition timeslot, then you’ll be led to an audition room in groups of 10.
At Chuck’s audition location, individual rooms were created with partitions in a large conference hall. Each vocalist auditions in front of the group and the casting judge, first introducing his or herself and the song, then singing their verse and chorus. After all 10 have completed their initial auditions, casting judges will determine if any of the 10 will make it to the callback round. Callbacks are awarded via red pieces of paper.
Chuck didn’t get his red callback sheet (this time), but two others from his group of 10 did. The callback, which happens a few days after the initial audition, requires up to 3 prepared auditions with accompaniment. Chuck suggests downloading karaoke backing tracks if you don’t have a go-to accompanist or if you don’t want to play your own accompaniment. The callback will be a video recorded audition in the same city as your open audition. You’ll stand in front of a camera, state your name, where you’re from and your age, then perform one to three songs. If you’re selected to continue from there you’ll need to complete a participant agreement package and medical exam before completing subsequent auditions up to the final before the show’s executive producers. Next, it’s show time at the blind auditions!
If at First You Don’t Succeed…
Chuck said many of the other potential contestants he spoke with had auditioned for The Voice multiple times, as all as for other vocal talent shows. Given the number of open call auditions and participants who attend each, the chances of landing in front of Adam or Blake are, literally, one in a million. Don’t give up, and if at first you don’t succeed, try again next time!
Choose a Song to Audition for The Voice
Now that your expectations are set, it’s time to choose a vocal audition song! We add new Singer Pro sheet music to Musicnotes.com nearly every single day, including hard-to-find songs that will help you stand out from the crowd.
Whether jazz, pop, country or R&B, choose a song that speaks to you and your talents and know it inside and out. Alisan Porter’s knockout “Blue Bayou” rendition during this season’s live auditions comes to mind as a prime example of the right song for the right artist at the right time.
Since each vocalist is so incredibly different, it’s nearly impossible to suggest which song will be YOUR song. However, here is just a small sample of Singer Pro sheet music we’ve added lately. Make sure to download our FREE mobile/desktop apps to perfect your piece. Use the sound mixing tool to mute the vocal line of the arrangement and practice singing with the accompaniment. Or, mute the accompaniment to get an idea of how your a cappella version may work. Plus, you can instantly transpose (most) songs into your vocal range. Musicnotes apps are free for all to use and enjoy, and they’re created by musicians (Chuck’s friends) for musicians to create the ultimate sheet music experience.
Just a small sample of our recently added Singer Pro sheet music:
“Piece by Piece” by Kelly Clarkson
“Heartbeat” by Carrie Underwood
“Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Haley Reinhart
“My Love (Acoustic)” by Jess Glynne
“Keeping Your Head Up” by Birdy
“Tell Your Heart to Beat Again” by Danny Gokey
“Death of a Bachelor” by Panic! At The Disco
“Humble and Kind” by Tim McGraw
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Have you auditioned for a talent television show? Do you have words of wisdom? Or, are you watching the new season of The Voice? Any favorites from the blind auditions thus far? Share your thoughts in the comments section!