Good Singing advice?

Question:I need some good advice on singing. I'm trying out for highschool chamber group (The highest group) and i really want to make it. I'm going to be an incoming freshman, and the group is made up of mostly seniors. Any good advice for an 8th grader?? Thanks!
-Amanda

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I need some good advice on singing. I'm trying out for highschool chamber group (The highest group) and i really want to make it. I'm going to be an incoming freshman, and the group is made up of mostly seniors. Any good advice for an 8th grader?? Thanks!
-Amanda

Haha, I hope you don't mind that I'm copying and pasting from a previous question. :) I'm rather...lazy.

1. Your soft pallete (stick your tongue way toward the back of your mouth - without gagging ;D - that's it) should always be raised. To do so, pretend someone has said "BOO!" and gasp like you're scared. If you look in the mirror will doing so, you can see what it looks and feels like. That is how it should always be. Picturing your mouth as a dome could help, too.
2. Make sure you're taking deep, low breaths - this should be accomplished by expanding your stomach, not raising your shoulders. To know how much your stomach should be expaning, lie down on the ground and breathe in alll the way. That's how much you should be breathing in.
3. Don't push the notes out; rather, go over them. To help visualize this, as you sing, pretend you're making a SLOW overhand throw and picture the movement as your voice.

Also, I just want to warn you that seniority (older kids having prority) can play a big part in the musical arts. Yes, having a good voice obviously helps, but if the director has only one spot left and he's choosing between a junior and a freshman, the junior will get it. It's not always fair, but that's life. :)

AMANDA I LOVE YOU............tholeole@yahoo.co.id

can't give any advice in this department, but i'm here to wish you good luck, let us know how you do.

I agree with another poster - older students will get priority, not BECAUSE they are older - because they have studied more, and have more experience, so they have EARNED their spot. Don't you think that YOU are going to get better over 4 years? Well, they DID already! So, represent yourself well, but realize that your study and effort over the next few years will bring YOU to that top level - just MAYBE not yet. It's *possible* that you are better than other juniors and seniors trying out - but not likely - YET! Use your time in HS wisely - get all the PRIVATE instruction you can from fine teachers - and be a hard-working and cheerful member of all groups in HS. Nobody enjoys singing with a prima donna - only THEY think they are "all that". So - enjoy the experience of the audition, but realize that you are more than likely taking this audition FOR the experience.