Help! What Do I Wear to a CLASSICAL Music College Audition?!

It's that time of year! Our seniors are preparing to audition for BM, BFA, and BA degrees. Typically, dressing for the BA and BFA degree is pretty casual: they want to see personality. But a classical music based degree is a WHOLE 'nother animal. It depends on your voice type (fach), gender (yep, they're still behind the times), and instrument (voice is vastly different than woodwinds or piano, for example). Thus, I will focus on what I know: how to dress for a classical BM if voice is your primary instrument.

**Disclaimer: I do not necessarily agree with the standards I'm about to communicate... I just know that they are the standards.

Female-identifying folx:

• Sopranos: wear a knee length, preferably tea-cup sleeved dress. Avoid wearing black SIMPLY because it does not stand out. Avoid prints: stick to solid colors. Show you personality in your shoes OR a piece of statement jewelry. One or the other, not both. Avoid dangly earrings (they just move when you make the slightest movement and distract us from your beautiful singing). Avoid layering (i.e. don't wear a cardigan). Shoes: lemme tell you, mama loves a statement shoe. BUT you cannot get under your breath with heels higher than 2 inches. Play it conservatively on the heel height and make sure the heel is supportive (i.e. not a stiletto).

JJ's House is my all time FAVORITE for audition/recital wear

                              

• Mezzos/contraltos: Soprano wear is totally fair game to you too... but y'all have more options. You can wear an attractive pant suits or jumpsuit. Make sure it's not something you got a H&M or Forever 21 though. It needs to be Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Nordstorm Rack, Ann Taylor, etc. Again, I'd avoid black unless you have a super cool necklace or shoes with a pop of color.

Check out these gorgeous Nordstorm Rompers

                   

• Male identifying folx: Y'all have it easier. Basically, your options are either a well-fitted suit OR dress pants with a nice button down and a jacket. AVOID tuxes. Those are not appropriate for an audition, just like floor-length recital gowns are not appropriate for women in auditions. A tie is not obligatory. Make sure your ensemble is classy and well-matched. Splashes of color are recommended but keep them with in reason. Also, make sure your shoes are comfortable to move in. Don't make the mistake of putting on your new shoes for the first time in an audition. You need to break them in.

Express is great for men's clothing

                        

Any questions? Ask us in the comments!