Disciplines

1. Create an account and complete an online application. (If you have applied to OSAI before, you can log into an existing account.)

2. Read the requirements below to prepare your audition.

3. Create a single, unedited video recording of the required content outlined below. Video uploads are limited to 1 GB.

4. Log back in to your online account to upload your audition video no later than noon on Friday, March 19.

The final audition recording cannot be edited; all parts of the audition must be performed in a single take and the use of any audio effects or filters (e.g., reverb) is prohibited.

Although you will upload a video submission, OAI will extract the audio from that file before sending it to the judges. (I.e., the judges will only hear your audition; they will not see you.) Therefore, you are welcome to wear casual/comfortable attire in your audition video.

Please note: If you do not have access to adequate technology for recording or uploading your audition, please contact oai@oaiquartz.org or 405.605.7500 for assistance.

The audition consists of two components, and the music does not have to be memorized. Both pieces must be performed as written on the sheet music provided here; vocal embellishments, inaccurate tempos, or otherwise not singing the music as written will result in significantly lower scores.

1. Sing your choice of ONE of the pieces listed below. You will sing unaccompanied (a cappella).

OPTION A: America the Beautiful

TEMPO: Quarter note = 75-90 b.p.m. (Set your metronome at a tempo between 75 and 90; each click represents one quarter note.)

> Download America the Beautiful – SOPRANO
> Download America the Beautiful – ALTO
> Download America the Beautiful – TENOR
> Download America the Beautiful – BASS

OPTION B: Greensleeves
TEMPO: Dotted quarter note = 40-60 b.p.m. (Set your metronome at a tempo between 40 and 60; each click represents one dotted quarter note.)

> Download Greensleeves – SOPRANO
> Download Greensleeves – ALTO
> Download Greensleeves – TENOR
> Download Greensleeves – BASS

OPTION C: O Danny Boy
TEMPO: Quarter note = 50-65 b.p.m. (Set your metronome at a tempo between 50 and 65; each click represents one quarter note.)

> Download O Danny Boy – SOPRANO
> Download O Danny Boy – ALTO
> Download O Danny Boy – TENOR
> Download O Danny Boy – BASS

2. In addition to your choice of one of the pieces listed above, you will be required to sing Già il sole dal Gange. You must sing along to the backing track provided by OAI. Pronunciation resources are widely available. A few are linked below.

> Download Gia il sole dal Gange Materials – Medium High Voice (SOPRANO & TENOR)

> Download Gia il sole dal Gange Materials – Medium Low Voice (ALTO & BASS)

You can find many guides and videos to help you learn the Italian pronunciation in Già il sole dal Gange. Be sure to find what works for you, but here are a few to get you started on your search:

• https://web.stanford.edu/~jrb/reference/italian.html
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmYZvUo7eaw
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lRxD1ImeIk

If you are familiar with the International Phonetic Alphabet or have a teacher who is familiar, there are also many IPA guides and diction charts available online.

DO make sure your space is quiet. Listen carefully for ambient noises that will compete with your audio, like auto traffic, airplanes overhead, a TV in another room, a refrigerator, noisy pets, family members chatting, etc.
DO set up a couple of feet away from any walls. If you can, record in the middle of the room, singing out into a few feet of open space rather than into a wall or other hard surface.
DO use a tripod or find a way to set your device up, so you are recording hands-free and not handling the camera/microphone. This will ensure quality sound.
DO make sure you test levels (especially the loudest part of your audition) to ensure your sound does not clip or get distorted. You may have to place your camera/microphone a few feet away to achieve a good sound. Make sure you listen back to your test recordings to be confident with the quality of the sound!
DO make sure you have another device to play the backing track for Gia il sole dal Gange beside the device you are recording your audition on. Make sure you test the playback volume before you begin recording so that you can ensure a good balance between the backing track and your voice.
DO feel free to use an external microphone; however, it is not necessary to purchase any equipment for this recording. The built-in microphone and video camera of your mobile device or personal computer are perfectly suitable.
DO make sure you are clearly visible in the frame of the camera. While OAI will extract the audio from your video, we want to ensure the video is yours and no cuts/edits were made.

DON’T set yourself directly in front of hard surfaces, like walls or tiles. And don’t set up in a bathroom! While you may think the acoustic quality sounds nice live, there are too many hard surfaces that will distort your recorded sound.
DON’T add any special effects or filters to your recording. The entire audition must be recorded in a single take and cannot be edited.
DON’T talk during or between any pieces of the audition.