Competition is everywhere. That´s the world – winning and losing in the big game of life. We have just finished watching the Olympics and unavoidably they bring to mind competition in music as well.

This summer I have attended 3 different singing competitions, not as a participant but as an eager supporter and observer. If you participate in a competition and you don´t reach your best how can you do well in other performance situations?

That´s just the issue – there are many great singers who under-perform in competitions and auditions which resemble each other and are often the worst situations a singer must face.

Must you win? Yes, if you want that prize or that part. Must you compete? No, but then your talent may remain unnoticed. Must you audition? Yes, unless you want to sing at home only.

Shall I take part in a competition? What are my chances? How do I control my nerves? What is the best repertoire? Do I convey the image a successful performer, a winning attitude? Have I found my vocal fach, my best assets?
These are all questions that a singer must find an answer to.

Winning can also be seen in the context of winning oneself, not only others. A tip: My friend Cristina Andersson has winning solutions in her book The Winning Helix.
What do we look for in a winning singer? Here is my list:

• great voice with personal timbre
• solid vocal technique
• musicality: sense of rhythm, clean intonation, good legato and phrasing
• total performer package with the look, physique and voice suitable for the part  if you sing opera
• posture, poise and control of body movements
• ability to sing with nervousness and in spite of it (that´s a big separate issue!)
• temperament and intelligence to interpret the text
• deep understanding of the character and/or poem
• soulfulness (this is seen in the eyes and face)
• sense of humor, wit and ability to react
• ability to tell a story and engage the audience

Those are the requirements – and even more!  And they apply to all performances of course. But if you wonder why you have not been successful so far; check the list honestly and do what you can to be even better!

Picture above: Winner of the Cardiff Singer of the World 2011, soprano Valentina Nafornita from Moldova.