AUDITION VIDEO PROCEDURES

Below are the requirements for a successful video audition.

Please be sure to read all requirements very carefully as they vary between programs.

All videos will be uploaded to our new Audition Platform, Acceptd. You will need to create an account with Acceptd before filling out your audition registration. A $30 registration fee will be charged. Students applying to more than one YAA program will only need to pay the registration fee once.

**Returning YAAOrchestra students can register directly at this link without an audition. Select “YAAOrchestra” and register via the Active portal.

• Pre-Recording Checklist

  • Video recordings should be made at home in a well lit space.

    • Smartphone or laptop recordings are perfectly acceptable (horizontal orientation is best.)

    • If possible, the use of an external microphone will ensure the highest audio quality.

  • Each piece should be filmed/uploaded as a separate piece of media (no continuous videos.)

  • Video excerpts should be performed in one take and not have any extra effects added (reverb, editing, lip-synching, etc.)

  • Place the camera in a way that your face, upper body (and instrument) are in the frame at all times.

  • Auditioners should wear appropriate and comfortable attire. Please treat your video audition as if it were a LIVE audition.

  • Instrumentalists:

    • Please check the “mirror” option on your camera/smartphone so that your video does not show you performing “backwards.”

  • Singers:

    • All singing should be accompanied by a Backing Track of your song.

      • Backing tracks can be readily found for free on YouTube (search for your song title and “karaoke” or “backing track”).

        • You can also use a custom backing track service (for a fee) like MT-Tracks to have custom tracks made for your solo selection.

      • Be sure that your backing track is in the right key for your voice!

      • If possible, play the backing track out of a different device than the one you are video recording yourself on.

• Video Recording Order

  • 1.) Slate

    • Please begin each video with Your Name and the Name of the Selection you will be performing.

  • 2.) First Video Solo Selection (REQUIRED)

    • YAAOrchestra: a Grade 5+ solo (without accompaniment)

    • YAACompany: a musical theatre or jazz standard selection of your choice that best shows off your voice.

      • Ballad or uptempo are fine.

      • Complete song or 32-bar cut are both acceptable.

      • It’s best to present a song that you know well and can perform from memory, not one that was just learned a few days prior.

    • YAAjunior: a musical theatre selection of your choice that best shows off your voice.

      • Ballad or uptempo are fine.

      • Complete song or 32-bar cut are both acceptable.

      • If you do not have a selection prepared, you can sing a pop song or another song of your choice, such as Happy Birthday or My Country ‘Tis of Thee.

    • YAAStudio:

      • YAAStudio video auditions will be uploaded via a Google form after registration rather than through Acceptd.

      • Video auditions will be used for placement purposes only.

      • See confirmation email from Active for video audition requirements and instructions.

  • 3.) Second Video Solo Selection (OPTIONAL)

    • YAAOrchestra: (NOT REQUIRED)

    • YAAjunior: (OPTIONAL) A second musical theatre song selection of your choice OR a classical or contemporary monologue 60-90 seconds in length.

    • YAACompany: (NOT REQUIRED, as second selection will take place at IN-PERSON audition)

      • Students who wish to be considered for a solo or understudy in the production, will be invited to select an IN-PERSON callback audition slot on Saturday, September 10, 2022.

      • At the in-person vocal callback audition, students will be asked to perform an excerpt of a song from the production that they have prepared in advance. Visit the YAACompany Auditions page for more details.

• Post-Recording

  • Test your recording before submitting
    We recommend you test the audio levels so that there is no distortion during the loudest passages of your selections, while also making sure that the softest portions can still be heard. *Brass players, please do not play with you bell pointed at the microphone.

  • Share your video with a trusted person
    Make sure you get the OK from a trusted person before submitting your videos to make sure it shows you off in the best possible way.

  • Video submission
    Video files will be uploaded using the online application Acceptd. We recommend using a format and resolution that is consistent with high-quality internet video. (Accepted Video Formats: MP4, MPEG, MPG, MOV, AVI, WMV, M4V, FLV, WEBM, MKV, M2V. File sizes up to 5 GB)

There is a $30 application fee paid to Acceptd. Please note that the fee is only required on your first application of the season. For any subsequent applications, please enter the following coupon code in the payment section of the application: 02YAA23

Applicants can apply for a waiver to this application fee by submitting financial documentation to Acceptd. Please visit the Acceptd Support Desk for more information.