Song choice is critical, especially for auditions and competitions. It can make or break a performance.

You need to select songs which you enjoy and which are right for your voice and life experience (to sing them convincingly).

Tips when choosing songs:

• avoid songs by high profile singers with identifiable voices such as Celine Dion, Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston.
  These divas' voices are brilliantly distinctive and deeply ingrained in our psyche; to the point where we still 'hear' the original artist singing the song even when we are listening to someone doing a live cover version. The live performance will inevitably be compared to the CD by the audience and, therefore, will struggle to live up to expectations.
  There's no need to put yourself under this extra pressure at an audition.
• avoid songs with lyrics that you cannot identify with
  such as an 11 year old girl singing about the traumas of a relationship. The interpretation of the song will never be convincing and will hold little credibility. Consequently, much of the message and power of the song, which made it a hit in the first place, will be lost.
  As Marcia Hines keeps saying on Australian Idol (paraphrased): you need to own and feel the song inside you for it to move your audience and work for you.
• Choose a song that demonstrates the full range of what your voice is capable of.
  For auditions and competitions, avoid predictable songs with repetitive lyrics and little variation.
  The full dynamics (loudness and softness) of your voice and your tonal variations (strong 'big' sounds and the pulled back variations) should be displayed.
  Bear in mind that many judging panels like to hear singers take risks in terms of style and genre e.g. a rock singer trying jazz or a pop singing trying R&B.
  Explore different genres other than those you know and love.
  In doing this, you gradually discover and develop your own unique voice.
• Never sing a song in an unsuitable key.
  If you struggle with any of the high or low notes, change the key or, if appropriate, change the melody.