FAQs

1. CAN I USE BACKING TRACKS?

Yes, for every category except for the Cleveland Recital. Backing tracks must only play the music, so no other singers are allowed in the background. We’ll have a DropBox organised closer to the festival where you can upload your backing tracks. You’ll want to do this by a prescribed date before the festival so that our sound tech person has everything ready to go when you step out on stage.

2. CAN I USE A MICROPHONE? IF SO, DO I BRING MY OWN GEAR OR WILL THERE BE ONE THERE?

Yes, for Contemporary (including the Contemporary Recital) and Pop. We will have a mic and stand on hand for you to use.

But mics are not allowed for Classical, Musical Theatre, Sacred, National Song, Action Song in Character or Scholarship and Cleveland Recitals.

3. WHAT DO I DO IF I CAN’T USE A BACKING TRACK?

You can sing without music (acapella), or use an accompanist, either piano or acoustic guitar. You can also accompany yourself. If you need a pianist to play for you, ask your music teacher or contact us for names of pianists.

4. I JUST WANT TO SING ONE SONG. IS THAT OK?

Yup!

5. WHAT IF I WANT TO SING BUT I AM NOT SURE IF I’M ANY GOOD?

SONGFest! is a perfect place to “test the waters” if you’re a bit shy or uncertain. We welcome everyone, so you don’t have to be “perfect” (no one is!). The people who listen to you are very supportive, and our judges always give really good advice to help you improve. Also, we have a class for newcomers who just wish to sing and not have to compete with others – Vocal Performance. You’ll still get great feedback but there’s no pressure!

6. DO I HAVE TO SING BY MYSELF? CAN I SING WITH A FRIEND?

Yes, there are duet categories, where you can sing along with another person: Vocal Duet (18 and under) and Vocal Duet in Character (under 12, and 12 to 18 years). In this last category, singers most often choose music from Musical Theatre and dress as the characters they perform as. You can also sing with a friend or even a group in the non-competitive Vocal Performance class.

7. CAN I SING IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE?

Yes. Waiata is always sung in te reo Māori. Songs from other cultures can be sung in their native languages and Classical music is often sung in German, French, Italian and English (among other languages).

8. WHAT DO I WEAR? IS IT DRESSY?

Depends on what style or class you are singing in. Singers generally find they do best in “smart casual” – comfortable clothes that also look good (nice jeans and shirt/top are fine). Recital classes tend to be more formal, including long dresses and smart suits. And, of course, if you are singing a song in character from a musical, you are expected to dress the part you are playing (e.g. Sandy in Grease, Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton, etc).

9. DO I NEED A SINGING TEACHER TO ENTER?

Most of the singers do (either through school or private singing lessons), but you don’t have to have one to enter. Teachers are very helpful in helping you improve and sing songs that are best for your voice and age. If you think you’d like a teacher, ask your school or look at a list of local singing teachers HERE.

10. DO I NEED TO MEMORISE ALL MY SONGS OFF BY HEART?

Yes, except if you are singing a Classical Oratorio in the senior classes. But in every other class and style of music, you should know all your words.

11. IF I HAVE ALL MY SONGS MEMORISED, WHY DO I NEED TO BRING MUSIC WITH ME?

Copies of your music need to go to the adjudicator (the really nice person who listens to people sing, decides who “won” a category, but who also gives everyone excellent feedback). That way, the adjudicator can follow along to see what and how you are singing. Also, if you have a pianist playing for you while you sing, they will also need a copy of your sheet music.

Please hand in copies of all your music to the music table at least 15 minutes before the beginning of each session (for example, if you are singing in the early afternoon, that session begins at 1 pm, please by at the music table to hand in your sheet music by 12.45 pm).

12. CAN I SING ANYTHING I WANT?

You will want to sing something you love, something that you really connect to. But not every song is going to be appropriate, either in the lyrics or style. Your singing teacher will be a good guide for you. If you don’t have a teacher, think about whether the song “fits” the category. If you are singing in a Classical section, you wouldn’t sing Adele, for example! If you are 16, you wouldn’t sing a song that is for 5-year-olds. Swearing is never allowed. We also ask teachers to keep in mind that many contemporary and pop songs can have themes which are more suitable for older vocalists and may not be appropriate for younger singers.

13. WHAT’S A ‘NATIONAL SONG’?

National songs are traditional folk songs or ballads that originate from a particular country. Think of those lovely sad Irish songs your grandparents may have listened to (“Danny Boy”, “Molly Malone”). Or beautiful old Welsh, Scottish and English ballads (“Lisa Lân”, “Loch Lomond”, “Scarborough Fair”). Or from any country or culture. These are songs that have been passed down from one generation to the next, and now we no longer know who may have written them originally. For some ideas, check out YouTube or ask your singing teacher.

14. WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A ‘POP’ SONG & ‘CONTEMPORARY’?

Good question! Contemporary means any song in any style that is written, recorded for commercial release, and performed now or recently. Think of Adele or Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran. Make sure, though, that when you sing you are not just imitating the original singer. Sing the song in its original style (Jazz, R&B, etc.) but try not to just imitate the original performer. Be yourself!

Pop refers to songs such as the Beatles’ classic “Yesterday” (from 1965). Or any song written, recorded for commercial release and performed way back in the 20th century. That gives you a bit of a guide about the difference between the two.

One other thing. Pop or Contemporary does not include songs from Musical Theatre: MT is different, and we have separate section for those songs.

15. WHAT’S A RECITAL ABOUT?

Recitals give you a chance to dress up and unleash your inner pop star or opera diva!

We have 3 different recital classes: two Scholarship Recital classes for singers 14 and under 16 years; the Contemporary Recital (15 and under 18 years); and the prestigious Cleveland Recital for the more experienced singers (18 and under 21). You’ll sing two or three songs (depending on your category) and give a brief introduction telling the audience about each piece before you perform.

It’s good to show your range at a recital. Mix it up a bit. Maybe something that’s dramatic with a piece that is comical, or one slower piece with something at a faster pace. In the Scholarship Recitals, it’s an opportunity to showcase gorgeous Classical work (written over the past 300 years or so, such as an aria – a solo – by Mozart), with a more Contemporary song, or something from a Broadway show. Aim to sing at least one song in a language other than English.

Here’s an example from the Contemporary Recital: “Cloudbusting” by Kate Bush and the love song “At Last”, immortalized by American blues singer Etta James – two very different songs.

The Cleveland Recital has a set range of genre to sing from as noted in the Schedule. Here's an example: “Some Enchanted Evening” from the Broadway show, South Pacific; “Amarilli, Mia Bella” (sung in Italian); followed by a Mozart aria, “In Mohrenland gefangen war” in German.

16. WHAT ARE THE JUDGES LOOKING FOR WHEN I SING?

It depends on the judge. But generally, you’ll aim to sing in tune (in the right ‘key’), know all your lyrics, have made a good song choice for your voice and age, and be expressive – that is, show your emotions! Look and sing as if you understand what you are singing. What’s the song about? Is it a love song? A funny song? Something silly? Or angry? Show that you connect to that song in some way. Generally -- except for Action Song in Character where you act while singing -- you need to find a way to be expressive without a lot of movement. How? In your face and in how you actually sing (what music folk call “phrasing” or “dynamics”). You can move your hands a bit, but nothing to distract the audience from the quality of your singing.

17. IS IT REALLY EXPENSIVE TO ENTER?

No. We try to make it easy for all singers to participate and to feel welcome.

18. WHEN AND HOW CAN I ENTER?

Entries are now closed for this year’s festival. But come along and enjoy the singing — and make sure you enter next year!