Student Checklist for Performances

It's that time of year when I am busy revising old handouts and creating new ones.  I have a large studio, and even though I really try to make sure I discuss everything during lessons, I'm also just a little bit paranoid that I will forget something important.  I'm pretty sure that a lot of kids don't read the handouts I assign, but if the assignment is in writing and the handout is available to them, I feel a lot less guilty about things that don't go as smoothly as we might like them to.  

I prefer to attend every performance or contest opportunity that I offer my students.  However, there are times that it just isn't possible for me to be there holding their hand and making sure everything goes smoothly.  This year, I'm offering a few opportunities that I already know I can't attend.  I think that makes written instructions even more important.  I can't be there with them, but my handout can.  

This is the first draft of the handout I'm working on for those (and really all) performances.  I reference other handouts available on the password protected part of my website.  If you are interested in knowing more about those, please post in the comments.  

Checklist for Performances, Exams, Masterclasses, Contests, Auditions, etc. 

General Information:

• To help me process registrations faster, I will be asking students to fill out the registration forms.  You should fill out all parts of the form except the teacher contact info and any sections that say “Teacher: Please Complete” or “For Office Use Only”, “For Site Administrator”, etc.  Ask me if you have any questions. 
• Most MMTA events require that you present a form from me when you check-in for the event.  Make sure you have this. 
• I usually receive result within 1-2 weeks of the exams and contests. I will review any critiques and scores with you at your lesson. 
• Certificates, ribbons, pins, and other awards will be presented to students at our Spring Recital or at a lesson following that. 
• Keep your critiques and certificates (or copies of them) in pockets, folders, or sheet protectors in your Voice Lesson Notebook for future reference.

Preparation:

• The earlier you begin your preparation, the stronger your performance will be. 
• See handouts in the File Are like “Blueprinting”, “Mapping”, and “More ideas for building your interpretation” to help you polish your performance. 
• Be completely memorized and polished at least 2 weeks before the performance.
• For Theory Exams, feel confident on the material at least 2 weeks before the exam.  Then continue to study and review. 
• Attend workshops and studio classes and use them as an opportunity to get performance experience before the major event.
• Take advantage of opportunities to sing for family and friends, your choir, your church, or at nursing homes.  Again, this gives you practice in performing. 
•  Make an audio recording.  Listen to it, pretending you are the teacher.  Take notes.  What was good?  What do you need to work on?  How can you work on it?
• Make a video recording.  Watch it, pretending you are the teacher.  Take notes.  What was good?  What do you need to work on?  How can you work on it? The visual presentation is just as important as your sound.  How is your alignment?  Are your face and body expressive? 
• Write a Personal Positive Pep Talk. 

Accompanists:

These guidelines are especially important if you are using someone other than me as your accompanist. 

• Hire your accompanist early.  See me if you need recommendations and contact information.
• You are allowed to photocopy music for your accompanist to practice from, if it is destroyed after the event.  For MMTA and NATS, the accompanist MUST play from the originals.  Photocopies at any MMTA or NATS event will get you disqualified. 
• Double check to make sure that all notes, words, and markings are included on any copies you give to the accompaniment.  It’s easy to cut off the left hand piano part if you are not careful. 
• Get the music to the accompanist at least 2 weeks prior to your first rehearsal. 
• Make sure the music is clearly marked with breath marks, tempo changes, etc. 
• Rehearse with the accompanist at least once prior to the date of the performance.  If the site and scheduling allow for it, see if you can meet for a final check-up at the event site prior to the performance.  This is not always possible, but when it is, it is very helpful. 
• It is OK, expected, and necessary that you do more than just a quick run through with the accompanist.  Let him/her know if the tempo is comfortable.  Are there places that you have been practicing with slowing down or speeding up more?  Stop and work on sections so that you both feel comfortable with what you are hearing from the other.  Run it a few times so that you feel like you are working as a team. 
• While practicing with your accompanist, work out how you will show them that you are ready for them to begin playing.
• Payment for rehearsals and the event should be made at the first rehearsal, and absolutely no later than the performance.  Some accompanists will not play for the performance unless they have your money already.
• Write a thank-you note to the accompanist. 

The Week Before the Performance:

• Continue your normal practice schedule. If you have adequately prepared in advance, it will be enough.  Do not practice several extra hours a day trying to improve.  You will just stress yourself and your voice.  If you feel you need more practice beyond the normal amount of time you spend, make it silent practice.  
•  Practice your introduction if one is required.  Find out exactly what you need to introduce.  Some events will just want the song title.  Some want your name, grade, song title, composer, etc.  Focus on speaking slowly and clearly. 
• Decide what you will be wearing (especially shoes) and practice in what you will wear to your performance.  It will help prepare you mentally for performance and let you make any slight adjustments to clothing or presentation that may be required for comfort and optimal vocal technique. Unless event instructions specifically tell you otherwise, always dress up. 
• Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night.  Your body is your instrument.  Your performance will be better if you are not sleep deprived. 
• Make sure you are getting enough fluids. 
• Make travel arrangements.  Is a parent taking you, are you carpooling, or are you driving?  How long does it take to get there?  When will you need to leave to arrive with plenty of time to spare?  Do you know how to get to the site? Do you have maps/directions both to the building and the room you will be singing in? 
• Pack your performance bag.  Include music, water bottle, Kleenex, snacks, make-up (if you plan to wear it and might need to touch it up), your maps/directions, and something to do to keep you calm if you have to wait awhile.  Some events (mostly MMTA) will also require that you present a form at the check-in table.  Make sure that it is in your bag too. 
• Make sure my cell phone number and your accompanist’s cell phone number are saved on your phone or the phone of someone who will be with you.
• Figure out where you will meet your accompanist on the day of the performance.  Ask if you should meet him/her at your site, in the warm-up area, or at the registration desk.  You can also ask if you should call them when you arrive. 

The Day of the Performance:

• Warm-up at home if at all possible.  Yes, most events will have warm-up rooms, but your time there might be limited.
• Arrive early.  (How early will be determined by whether or not you can warm-up at the site.  You should always be there ready to go at least 15-20 minutes before your performance time.)
• Check-in at the registration table if there is one. 
• Explore the building.  Where is the room where you will perform?  Where are the nearest bathrooms?  Where is the nearest drinking fountain?  Where are the warm-up rooms? 
• Check-in with your accompanist. 
• Do some slow breathing exercises as you wait outside the performance room. 
• Review your Personal Positive Pep Talk right before you walk in. 
• Remember that the performance starts when you walk in the room.  Stand tall.  Look confident.  Smile as you greet the judges.
• If you have to announce your song, remember to speak slowly and clearly.
• Sing with commitment and expression.  Once you walk into the room, you’ve done all you can do technically, so just trust that it will work for you and enjoy the singing.   

A Few More Notes on Warming-Up:

• Follow the basic structure outlined in the Warm-ups handout located in the File Area of the website. 
• Straws are great to include as part of your warm-ups especially if you are in a place where you don’t want to make much noise (hotel, in the car with family, etc.)
• When you think you are warmed up, check a few things.  
• Check breath. (Are all inhalations low, silent, and free?)  
• Check to make sure that all the vowels are lining up.  
• Check how easy it is to sing legato.  (Can you sing an exercise with zero gaps in the breath flow?)
•  Check how easy it is to sing staccato.  (Is the staccato breath or throat motivated?) 
• Check flexibility, especially if you have a song with lots of quickly moving notes.  
• Check high notes (Are they free and easy? Do they have enough space?)  
• Check low notes. 
• Sing through your song or do a spot check on the harder sections, especially high notes or notes that you hold for a long time.  If it’s not as easy and beautiful as usual, you’re not warmed up enough.  Do a few more minutes of exercises, and then repeat the spot checks. 

So what did I miss?