How to sing 'Pie Jesu' properly?

Question

1. I am going to a audition for participating in a 40 people Choir in university. I need to prepare one piece of music to sing. Is this song a good choice?

2. Hope to sing this song properly? I have difficulty with pronounce the "r", does it matter?

3. What do I need to be aware of in terms of the speed, dynamics, voice etc.

4. I always think it is not a suitable song for my voice, but my friend who is a experienced music student suggests that it is a good song for audition.

5. How do I choose a song suitable for myself?

6. Can I sing some pop songs for audition? like 'don't cry for me argentina', 'memory'.....

Thanks very much if you can give me some advice!

Answer 1

Idk it sounds hard. I have no Idea how to help but practicing your  rrs can help. i took spanish one year and I couldnt rooll my tonge so my teacher told me to say butter butter butter and It helped you could try that.

Answer 2

Hey, well this is a really, really hard song so as long as you know that and are up for scrutiny if you stuff up (which i am not saying you will :)) ok well another thing to remember it is a duet so u should think about whether or not your voice can carry the appeal of two voices? I think that it is a good choice if you think you can pull it off :)

ok...here we go...

2) The R's and other consonants can matter...my singing teacher always says as long as you look like you have it right then they will believe you... you have to just think like you are a stuck up English person and speak extremely properly :P um...try repeating the consonants you struggle with over and over just before bed (i am not sure why thins helps but it does)

3) Ok well you need to remember that you probably don't have a lot of time in an audition to let yourself shine...so in the begining start slow and quiet and move into a louder and more powerful sound (not so far though as it is a quietish song). Remember that Pie Jesu is a relatively slow and soft song so belting probably wont get you too far.

4) Well...auditions are all about you being comfortable...if you dont feel comfortable with the song then maybe it is not the best choice...just remember if you do, do it then constantly reassure yourself that you can do it and you can do it well.

5) Think about your range and your throat, middle and head voice see where the range is in the song compared to your voice and mix and match. Just remember a bit of pushing yourself never hurt anyone but never take it to far so that it may damage your voice...never hurt yourself to reach a note.

6) I think you can but it defiantly depends on the type of choir and what type of songs they sing on a general basis. If they are a classical choir then they will be looking for people who fit there sound which is easier to do if people sing in the right frame of music.

Best of luck and i hope you get in :)

xx