Vocal Performance Requirements

YoungArts welcomes applications from vocalists who demonstrate their abilities through the performance of repertoire from any genre and style. (For singers who perform their own original music, please refer to the Music Creator requirements below.)

• Submit three (3) individual digital video recordings of the applicant’s choosing.
  • Please indicate the genre/style that best represents you as a vocal performer in the appropriate field within the application.
  • It is recommended that you select pieces that are contrasting in nature, such as a mixture of different tempos, timeframes, languages, etc. as appropriate for your genre and style.
  • All audition submissions should be performed from memory, without sheet music. Please sing through the full form of the song (i.e., verse, chorus, bridge, verse…etc.), eliminating overly long intros and excessive repetition of choruses.

Music Creation Requirements

YoungArts welcomes applications from vocalists who demonstrate their abilities through the performance of originally composed songs from all popular music styles (i.e., hip hop/rap, indie, country, rock, pop, r&b, folk, etc.)

• Submit completely original song selections (words and music) in any style.
• Both lyrics and music must be 100% completely original and written by the applicant (no co-writes or computer-assisted writing permitted.)

Submit three (3) individual digital video recordings along with a PDF document to include the following:

• Perform three (3) original songs in English.
• Self-produced tracks may be used. Tracks must be 100% originally produced by the applicant and may not include any unlicensed samples.
  • A minimum of one selection out of the three songs submitted is required to be self-accompanied (e.g., on an instrument, controller, etc.) in real time.
• Submit a PDF document (typed) of the lyrics for each of the songs.

NOTE: If selected as a winner with distinction, you will be required to perform your submitted materials live for the panel during National YoungArts Week.

Guidelines for Recording Your Audition

• Image: Be sure your image is clear and good quality. The panel must be able to see your facial expressions to properly adjudicate your work.
• Sound: Make sure the acoustics in the room are suitable for recording. A medium sized room with low to moderate reflections/reverberation generally works well. Practice your piece in the space. Ensure the balance between accompaniment and voice is appropriate and that your voice is heard clearly. No sound enhancements are permitted. (i.e. reverb, autotune, time correction or digital editing). Vocal microphones are allowed if available. If using a microphone, please remove any windscreens, pop filters, or isolation shields so that the judges can see your face clearly.
• Lighting: Make sure the space is well lit, but not too bright. Judges should be able to see your face clearly. Too little light and judges cannot see you. Too much light will leave you overexposed, and judges cannot see your expressions.
• Framing: The camera should be set at a fixed point of view. Shoot straight on, leaving the camera in one location at a distance to frame your face and body clearly. If judges only see your face and shoulders, it’s too close. If judges can see the entire stage, but your facial expressions cannot be seen clearly, it’s too far away. 

Media Submission Requirements

• When uploading, verify that the video image is upright (not sideways or upside down) and plays smoothly.
• Save and name your files individually with their song titles.
• Upload each selection as a separate video file.
  • Total size for each file cannot exceed 2 GB.
• Do not put your name or any identifying information in or on your media submission.
• Please do not edit within a piece, or submit pre-recorded live performances, such as recitals, concerts or competitions.

Intellectual Property and Copyright Requirements

For music creation, all submitted work must be entirely original and must not infringe on the copyright, trademark, or intellectual property rights of any other individual or entity.

• You are welcome to submit materials that have been part of other applications, competitions, or projects.
• YoungArts does not own any works submitted to its competition, however if your work has been submitted to other competitions, you are responsible for obtaining permission to submit to YoungArts, if necessary.