Tips for college choir audition?

Question:I am auditioning for the Wichita State University choir in hopes of getting scholarships. I have some time obviously and was wondering if there are any techniques you folks have for increasing my range and lung capacity. Please note that I am already in the top choir at my school and have had private lessons as well...basically I already know a lot so don't answer this unless you have applicable knowledge on the subject. Thank you!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I am auditioning for the Wichita State University choir in hopes of getting scholarships. I have some time obviously and was wondering if there are any techniques you folks have for increasing my range and lung capacity. Please note that I am already in the top choir at my school and have had private lessons as well...basically I already know a lot so don't answer this unless you have applicable knowledge on the subject. Thank you!

most colleges are interested in hearing a voice that is ready for work, and you are obviously past that point.
As far as lung capacity exercises go, you might want to extend that to all-round fitness. Good health and good singing go hand-in-hand, so that what you do for the one will benefit the other. Anything that gets you to use your airstream will be of help: walking, jogging, rowing, swimming come to mind.
Just remember, it's not the vital capacity of your lungs that matters, but how well you dose out or manage the tidal volume you now have available. A simple exercise to help you maintain your contact with your breathing muscles is the good ol' fashioned hiss. Keep your molars apart and the tip of your tongue on the back surface of your lower teeth. time yourself. After about 20 seconds, you'll sense your body wanting to take another breath. Don't panic, you've got loads more air than that! Expand your abs and dorsals ( the back muscles) a little more. don't let your throat close up on you, and see if you can't get another second or two out. This might leave you panting the first time, so don't do more than 2 or 3 reps. you'll find that this will give you a better idea of how to manage the air. After a week or so, you'll start adding a couple more seconds to the tally. Don't go for new world's records, that's not the point. It's learning how to manage what you already have.
As far a s range extension goes, that depends on what eventual voice category you will have. If you already tending towards bass, you know of necessity that upper extension is limited. F and F sharp will be your top notes.
If you are baritone, Ab is a good goal. If you are tending towards tenor, make sure your top A is an easy one. If it isn't easy yet, just don't force it, but try and find ways to open more space in the pharynx area to let it out. Expermenting with your falsetto voice may help take away the "fear of high notes", but is not much help in actually bridging the gap to your full voice upper register.
Recommended reading:
Dr. William Vennard: Singing; the Mechanism and the Technique
Richard Miller: Solutions for singers
Dr. James McKinney: diagnosis and Correction of Vocal Faults
( Try the university music library first. these are all available at your on-line bookstore, but are pricey)
By the way, what does your teacher think? why these questions here, and not in the studio?
Best wishes for a successful audition

Have confidence with your sight reading.

Univerisity choir directors aren't interested in your lung capacity. Concentrate on your sight-reading skills, that's a BIG determination in placement. As far as range goes, exercise both the high and the low, don't just concentrate on extending the high range. For the high, try ascending staccato arpeggios, and for the low try descending scales on maybe "nay nay nay." Hope that helps. It helped when I was a student and it's helping my current students.