What is an audition consultant I hear you cry, surely we have enough vocal coaches and people who can go through audition songs with us already? Audition consultancy is unique as the person taking the session is a trained singer (therefore understands the voice) a top MD, a much hired repetiteur (regularly playing on the top audition circuit), and has an almost anorak knowledge of musical theatre, both past and present.  How many MDs really do understand the voice?  How many vocal coaches have been out into the big wide world recently to a professional audition?  Working with someone actually out there at the moment practising what they preach will give you an invaluable insight into the audition process and what people are really looking for.  With a wealth of musical theatre knowledge and a complete technical understanding of the voice whichever audition consultancy session you choose will transform your audition going experience.

In relaxed surroundings and working with someone who will instantly put you at your ease, feel your confidence grow as the session proceeds.  The sessions are only open to professional actors or those attempting to go into professional training.  You may be new to the industry, or thinking of moving into musical theatre, or feel that you need to 'regroup' and start again, or simply want a fresh start in the audition arena - audition consultancy is the new way to solve an age old problem.

Audition Consultancy  Recalls  Drama Schools

Introduction

• Are you a professional actor, or an actor training at a reputable college?
• Do you keep singing the same musical theatre songs at auditions?
• Do you understand that the 'trick' is to find unknown material, but don't know where to start looking for it?
• Got the songs but think that there's a better key to sing them in?
• Having difficulty in finding the vocal coach who really does have the relevant wealth of current information, based on today's industry?
• Can't afford to spend pounds on a book when there's only one song that you really want in it?
• Don't have time to earn money to pay the rent and dedicate hours to finding that perfect audition song for you?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions then an audition consultancy session will probably be the answer to your prayers. 

Drawing on 17 years of top professional experience as an audition pianist, MD , vocal coach and lecturer my specialist knowledge can guide you towards the songs that will work best for you in a professional audition arena.  I understand that even professional performers get particularly nervous about singing.  The three hour session will enable you to 'find your feet', as well as your confidence, creating a supportive environment in which to chose the perfect audition songs.    Please note that I do not provide pop/rock songs only musical theatre repertoire.

The Consultancy Session

This consists of a 3 hour session booked in advanced.  Due to demand and other professional engagements it is usually necessary to book several months in advance - although it is always worth trying for a cancellation.

The sessions on offer are either 10am - 1pm OR 2pm - 5pm - please state your preference when booking.       

The consultancy takes place at my home in Palmers Green, North London, easy to get to by public transport or car.

As the consultancy is a complete audition package you should be prepared to wear the type of clothes that you would wear for a 'normal' audition (whilst I appreciate that no audition is 'normal', you should know what I mean), and have all the music that you would usually take to an audition.

The session will be structured as follows:-

First Hour

• 20 minute warm up - enabling me to assess your voice, it's strengths/weaknesses and of course preparing you safely for the session.
• Sing through your current audition portfolio - allowing me to hear the type of songs that you are using at the moment, and to establish why you think that they work/don't work for you.
• Having heard your voice in the songs that you're comfortable with I will then discuss with you where you consider your 'castability' lies, giving you an honest, subjective appraisal of what I have heard/seen already.

Second Hour

• The 2nd hour is all about finding the new songs.  This is done in a collaborative way, after all, you have to fall in love with your audition songs.  Through listening, reading and singing a selection of songs that I think answer the criteria that has been identified in the first hour.
• You are guaranteed to leave the consultancy with AT LEAST 4 new musical theatre audition songs, all of which could be considered relatively unknown for the present musical theatre market.  NB If you require new pop/rock songs for your portfolio then the session will NOT provide this material.
• You will be give the basic background of all songs, so no extra research will be necessary.

Third Hour

• The final third of the session is taken up with working through the songs (15 mins/song) - checking that they are in the best possible key for you.  Any transpositions that are deemed necessary will be included in the price of the session, with the music being snail mailed to you within 2 days of the session.
• All the chosen songs will be put down on tape in format that suits you best e.g. melody line only, piano accompaniment only, both.

Email Support

• After the consultancy session you will be eligible to receive email support for up coming auditions.  How many times have you gone to an audition with the wrong song, unprepared, or simply misinformed? 

Conclusion

A pre-booked 3 hour audition consultancy will equip you with:-

• An honest appraisal of your audition technique, including listening to your current audition songs.
• A frank discussion of your strengths and weaknesses, both perceived and apparent.
• 4 new musical theatre songs to add to your portfolio - none of the songs given out will be currently 'over done' at contemporary musical theatre auditions.
• Help and advice on how to perform these songs to your best advantage.
• All songs to be in the best key for you (if transpositions are necessary please note that the transposed sheet music will be sent to you by snail mail within 2 days)
• A rehearsal tape to be provided of all new material.
• An email support service accessible to you at all times for the last minute queries

COST

The price of the three hour session is £200 payable on the day - this is to include all music, tapes and transpositions. Once you have completed a consultancy session you will be eligible for email audition support.  This would enable you to get expert advice on up coming auditions as and when you needed it, including research on upcoming shows.

As the session is only open to professional performers I understand that audition/work commitments can crop up at short notice, therefore I have no cancellation fee system in place - however I would obviously appreciate as much notice as possible, to enable someone else to take your place.

Payment is either by cash or cheque on the day of the consultation, or you can pay via Paypal with credit/debit card online.  If paying by card you will be expected to pay in advance - ensuring that the funds have been received before the consultation. As the cards take 5 days to be verified you will be expected to pay a week in advance.  A receipt will be provided for tax purposes on completion of the session. 

    All major credit cards accepted

FAQs

Sounds great, but it's too much money?

• An average vocal coach costs between £30 - £75/hr

• A music book costs anything from £10 upwards

• A transposed piece of music cost anything from £5/sheet upwards

• You are paying for 17 years of top professional experience in this arena

• A repetiteur costs upwards of £29/hr - you will be given rehearsal tapes of at least 4 songs

Where does the consultancy take place?

• At my home in Palmers Green, North London.  Directions will be emailed to you on confirmation of booking.

What if I need to cancel?

• As the service is only open to professional actors there is no cancellation fee in place, as auditions and castings can crop up at short notice.  There is also no point in coming to your session if you are unable to sing on the day.  However please give as much notice as possible as the sessions are ridiculously over subscribed and someone might be able to use your session.  If you have paid in advance you will be given the next available time slot.

Can I share my session with a colleague?

• The consultancy is a specialised service, tailored for the individual, therefore no shared sessions are available.

What if I go out and everyone is doing my songs?

• Obviously there is always a chance that a song can get popular (although rarely overnight), however if that does happen and all of your songs are suddenly being overdone at auditions you will be given a free consultancy session.  

What if my voice changes and the transposed key no longer works for me?

• If a song has been transposed for you as part of your session I will happily put the song into several other keys for you at no further cost.  This service is available for up to a year after your consultancy session.

Everyone says that they can help with auditions, what makes this service special?

• Surf the rest of the website to find out more about Annemarie.       

Why do I have to give additional information?

• The information is simply for speed, and to enable me to have some background information on you before I meet you.

• To be ensured of your professional status.

• Due to the high demand for this service I'm afraid that I'm not able to help the "wannabes"  this service is purely for those professional actors who want to hone their audition craft.