Exploring Your Vocal Options for School Talent Shows

Are you preparing for your school talent show and feeling a little anxious about your voice? Don’t worry; with the right approach and some helpful tips, you can choose a song that showcases your unique vocal talents. This article is designed for young singers like yourself, who are eager to shine on stage and win the hearts of the judges and the audience.

Barbara Streisand's 'Queen Bee': The Funky Musical Touch

If you’ve always dreamed of performing Barbara Streisand's version of 'Queen Bee' from the original soundtrack of ‘A Star Is Born’, your moment has come. This iconic song, filled with funk-style energy, can truly set you apart from the crowd. To really make it a standout performance, focus on expressing emotional depth, especially during the parts where the music stops. These moments require dynamic range; go from murmuring softly to powerful and loud, creating a fitting crescendo.

Remember, the key to a captivating performance is the ability to shift dynamics. Remember to 'punch' your expressions out when the music stops, and when it restarts, make sure the energy and sound level are matching the intended mood and volume.

Janis Joplin’s 'Summertime'

For a deeper, more soulful voice, consider Janis Joplin’s rendition of 'Summertime' from Big Brother and the Holding Company. This track will capture the hearts of the audience with its emotional depth and can be transformed to suit your style.

Choosing the Right Song for Your Voice

When selecting a song for your performance, it's crucial to pick something that you can manage within your vocal range. Avoid choosing songs just because you like them or they're trendy; instead, focus on ones that you can confidently perform.

A common mistake among talent show participants is picking a song that's not only a personal favorite but also challenging to cover due to vocal range or the specific tone set by the original artists. Judges and the audience want to see performances that showcase technique and emotional depth, rather than just confidence.

Research the song's tone and emotional content to ensure it fits your voice. Ensure the song is familiar enough to appeal to a wide audience, making it easy for them to engage with your performance. Examples like 'Queen Bee' or 'Summertime' have stood the test of time and are generally well-known, making them ideal choices for such events.

Self-Recording and Future Prizes

Consider recording your performance and posting it on YouTube. Not only will this be a valuable archive of your journey, but it may also help you later if you wish to become a musician or songwriter. Having a vlog of your performances, showing your growth and personality, can be quite transformative. It's always worth investing in capturing your live performances!

Additionally, think about becoming a Full Writer Member of APRA (Administering Performing Right Australia). This membership can help you register your songs to receive performance royalties. For a small percentage, APRA can do a lot for your career, from registering your songs to handling performance royalties on your behalf. Such memberships are essential for any aspiring musician.