Hello Jaon,

 

I would suggest that you state that this is somewwhat unusual, and ask what it the thinking behind it.  What exactly is the interview panel looking for?  If you don't know this, you are unlikely to give them what they want.  And if they are just asking because they don't know what else to do, you will pin them to showing their hand.  No harm to make the interviewers think about this.  Would it be possible to ask why a non-musician is chairing the panel?  How does it serve the interview?  Nor am I sure that I would have much confidence in a bandmaster's knowledge of the voice and choral singing...  Perhaps he did work with choirs?  Even so, it seems an strange setup.

 

If they want a song, I would suggest one of the easier/gentlerr Schubert ones - Litanei, perhaps.  It would require an accompaniment.  Having indicated that you must sing, failing to provide for this isn't what I would expect.  But it strikes me as being odd.  Anyway, an operatic voice is hardly an asset for a choirmaster. Of far more use is an accurate ear that can detect micro shifts on a note.  After all, the choirmaster does not generally sing, but does fine-tune the singers.  And a superb voice is not really necessary to demonstrate what s/he requires.  An ordinary voice that sings clearly and in tune is probably better.  Perhaps the most important skill for a choirmaster is to be able to communicate fluently and easily.  Oh, and a good sense of humour, and of the ridiculous.

 

BTW, without necessarily drawing it to attention, it is your opportunity to interview the panel and find out the kind of situation you would land in if they offered you the job.

 

Good luck with the interview!

 

 

David.

While you can mention that it's an unusual request, the request implies that a previous choir teacher couldn't sing, or was not a good vocal model for the students in some way. I would choose a "crowd pleaser," like the school's fight song, if you can get it, or the song from a nearby university (I'm in Wisconsin, so I'd sing "On Wisconsin"). It wouldn't hurt to have something classical, maybe in a foreign language, in reserve. It should be something, however, that you can do without accompaniment and without a lot of fuss. IMHO.

Dear Jason:

Yes, the request is unusual, but I wouldn't say anything about that... it might put you in a somewhat negative light, especially if none of the other candidates say anything. Conversely, if other candidates say something about the request and you don't, it could put you in a positive light...) Pull out something easy and patriotic; something that they would know, such as "God Bless America" or maybe "America the Beautiful" (all verses...).

Jason,

 

Thank goodness for an interview committee with the foresight to ask a HS choral director interview candidate to sing! (Whether they know what they are doing or not!) :-) And it is NOT that unusual. High school choral direction is as much about vocal pedagogy as it is about choral singing. A high school choral director is often the only vocal model these students will ever have. That they are making sure you are comfortable singing and demonstrating singing in front of them is wonderful. 

 

When I interviewed for my first teaching job (middle school vocal/general music), the supervisor, who met with me at a busy BOE office, said on the spot in the interview, "So, you want to be a music teacher. Sing something for me." Fortunately, fresh out of college, I had recently done a recital, and sang a piece of one of my art songs. She was a former art teacher, but one who could recognize good singing, and wanted to make sure I would not be intimidated to sing in front of kids/people. 

 

When I interviewed for my current HS choral teaching position, I was interviewed by two Vice Principals, one of whom played guitar in a rock band in HS, and the other who said he really "knew nothing about music." Their instinct was to ask me to play the piano for them, as they thought, or had been told, that piano skill was necessary for the job. They also asked me sightread something at the piano. (The previous choir teacher had been an excellent pianist.) 

 

My suggestion- they are looking for something that "sounds good" and that you are comfortable singing in front of kids. Afterall- your potential job would be teaching kids how to sing. Sing something you are comfortable with, that demonstrates your knowledge of the field. A simple art song, aria, or folk song would be perfect. The National Anthem might also be appropriate, as not many "lay people" know all the words, let alone can start in a key in which they can sing the entire range of the song. DO sing a song though, not a vocalise.  

 

Good luck! 

~Christine

I agree with Christine, it is not that unusual. I wonder, though, if whoever had the foresight to make this requirement will actually be in the room for the interview. You could be heard by folks who are not knowledgeable about good singing, but you are better off assuming that this is not the case. I would not ask about it.

I would say easy (patriotic is good), or a melody that a previous h.s. choir of yours has enjoyed singing (if applicable). They want to hear that you will be a good example for the kids, so show phrasing, breath control, and good intonation. Without a pianist, be prepared to sing in a key that makes you shine.

I played for myself when asked to do this. If that's not your skill, I don't think you have to come with a recording--no fuss as Russell has said. Good luck!

Hi Jason,

 

With all due respect to David, I can certainly follow his thought. However, in my opinion, actually following that advice, especially asking why a non-musician is chairing the committee, would surely knock you right out of the ballpark... And not with a homerun. Personally, if in my own head those were anything more than fleeting thoughts, I don't think I'd be interested in interviewing at all. Given the nature of this unusual request, I'd be more concerned if there's more unusual stuff on the road ahead. Once you get in the room with them, I'm sure your extra senses will kick in allowing you to have your own interview of them and better assess the situation. In all of my 39 years as a church musician, I only worked for one pastor (a.k.a. the man in charge) who had any sort of musical inclination. I'm just sayin'...

 

Best of luck to you,

 

Phil Michéal

 

 

 

 

Seconding Christine and Maureen - it's not all that unusual in many districts around here, although more often I've seen people asked to demonstrate piano ability if there is no rehearsal accompanist, or instrumental ability on their primary instrument for a band job. And with an ex-band director in the mix, I think it's not an unreasonable assumption that that person recognizes the importance of modeling in the music classroom and that's a part of why they are asking for this. It might be a reaction to a previous person's lack of vocal skill, but I think it's a good thing, not necessarily a red flag. And I would also agree with the suggestions that are along the lines of the type of singing you would be expecting from your students - a folk song, art song, etc. that will sound reasonble without accompaniment. Not something overly operatic.

 

And I would definitely not ask about it, although I have a number of questions I DO ask to try to find out the climate of the district and department.

 

If you think about it, wouldn't it be nice if more interview committees tried to discern whether a music education candidate was a good *musician* instead of asking canned human resources questions? I've done some truly odd interviews where the questions are scripted and the same no matter what kind of teacher they are hiring.

 

K

I find myself being split on this question.  In part, since almost every job in music I've stepped into has been an opportunity provided as a result of others hearing/seeing what I do or backfilling behind someone who quit rather precipitately, I've not had to go through an interview session - save once, and that last year.  My circumstances are rather different than most, in that I work for the Army as a contracted choral director - thus, I must bid for my contract on a yearly basis.  For the first six times I had bid for the contract (most of you would understand that as six YEARS, but I see my job as one year however many times) there was no need to be interviewed.  However, last year, someone else also bid for the contract.  The interview process was NOT what I had anticipated nor hoped.  I had expected that the majority of the people on the panel would be of the same denomination as myself - they were NOT - and that a qualified musician at least would be among the interviewers - one was NOT.  The questions (based on what one of my paid section leaders went through this year) were canned - provided in advance - and seemed to be of the sort Kristina referred to above - not truly designed to discover the qualifications of the person in question, but simply to satisfy the requirement of an "interview."  (I have to admit also to being, I'm not sure if it's "upset" or "put off" by the fact that in any interview of any applicant for a paid section leader's position, I don't have - as the director - any part to play in it.  Even if not given a vote, there would definitely be questions of musical background, experience, familiarity with the demands of Catholic liturgy and theology, that I feel very strongly needs to be determined before hiring someone in a leadership role.  Makes one wonder how the Vatican chooses bishops, doesn't it?)

 

In Jason's case, he at least has a (presumably) qualified musician on the panel, and I would hope there would be a lively discussion about modeling, styles, etc., between Jason and the assistant principal/former band director that would be useful not only to the other panel members, presumably non-musicians (or at least not formally trained ones) to discover Jason's qualifications, aspirations, ambitions, etc., but also to reveal a good deal about the school/district.  What most interviewers don't realize is that they, too, are being interviewed - that their approach to a potential employee reveals a great deal about what kind of a place this is and who they are as a community.  I suppose in one sense it might seem unusual or insulting to ask someone to "prove" themselves - would you DARE to apply if you didn't know what you were doing? - but on the other hand, there's a degree of concern about the longer-term question - "What kind of a teacher are we hiring here?  Is this someone who can actually deliver?"  (This is, after all, America, and we're all about results)  That is properly the business of the interviewing panel.  I would have to counsel Jason not to take David's approach - although I understand what David's point is, and frankly would feel that way myself - but rather, I would attempt to see if a dialogue between the panel and Jason could take place which would reveal far more about both parties than a series of "canned" questions, or a (perceived to be) defensive attitude would foreclose.

 

As to repertoire, my gut reaction is KISS - Keep It Simple, Soldier.  Don't get fancy - why?  Because if you do something from the classical repertoire (unless they ask for it), you may be seen as a "snob" - America doesn't do well with the perception of snobbery, though they can be among the most "snobbish" of folks going, but not because of upraised pinkies drinking tea! - and a presumption that most of these folks are NOT trained musicians is probably a safe one.  BUT - do something you like, Jason, and the suggestion that it might include something that previous students of yours enjoyed (as, I hope, did you) would also reveal what kind of music you might do with your future students in that school.  Now, if you ask them, during the interview, if there's a type or style they'd like to hear, it'll tell you all sorts of things - and the assistant principal should lead on this matter - popular, classical, etc. - and don't be afraid to have fun with it.  I think we become over-intimidated by interviews, and forget the persons on the other side of the table are exactly that - persons, humans - and we all, as musicians, believe that music transcends so many of the differences bedeviling our world, and can reveal our commonalities.  Well, here's a chance to prove it.

 

Chantez bien!

 

Ron

Hello,

Seven years ago I was asked to sing at an interview -- it might be more common than you think.  It shows not only your own singing ability, but a glimpse into the repertoire you will use, which is why chose to use three different styles.  I chose to sing unaccompanied, at the interview table, seated, and did a short section each of "Now is the Month of Maying", through the fa la la's, second slow piece, and ended with "I Got Rhythm" which I used my hand to keep a beat on the table.  It was fun for everyone and successful.  Choose whatever music you like a lot, and it will do well!  Good Luck!  Jolyne Antista, Colorado Springs.