Career advice please!

[Victoria Clarke]

Hi, my name is Victoria Clarke, and I have joined this forum to try to glean some advice on how to progress with my career. I have a degree from University of Chichester, and am a classically trained but versitile soprano. However I have found the classical music world elitist, bigoted and innaccessible, so I have begun to record demos of classical crossover music.
I know I have the potential to record and perform in this genre, but all I seem to find is agents who book me for clubs etc, singing pop MOR.

Any guidance would be gratefully recieved!!!

Vickie xx

[Avalanche86]

At least you're performing...

Keep at it and don't blame the game. Other than that, I don't really have any concrete advice for your genre.

[Victoria Clarke]

You might like to listen to my myspace.
victoriaclarkesings

I hope you enjoy it!!

Vickie xx

[distinctivepublicity]

I suggest just keep at it once you solidify yourself then go at it alone as long as you create a name for yourself. Your talents will shine through...

good luck

[jeremyjackson]

The best advice I can give you is to work at a 'day job' and aim for singing at nights and weekends. If the demand for you surpasses your jobs and will make more money for you, go ahead and go for it, but make sure you have security!

I know people in relatively successful electronic acts that play gigs across Europe and USA but have to book time off work for the gigs, and still have their day jobs.

[OpenMicUK]

Hey you might be interested in our competition that we run...have a read and if you like it then please go to our website and enter!! This could be the break your looking for...

Open Mic UK; the national music competition for singers and solo artists in the UK. The competition travels across the country every year in the search for the UK's best singers, singer/songwriters, rappers and vocalists. It's open to all genres and acts can perform either covers or original material. Open Mic UK offers entrants not only the chance to win prizes, but the competitors the opportunity to perform live in some of the best music venues in the country. Huge crowds, record industry A & R and celebrity judges will be there to cast their eye over the talent along the way.

The competition travels up and down the UK and is coming to a city or town near you! It's all in a bid to discover acts with the potential to become the next Leona Lewis, Dizzee Rascal or Paolo Nutini! There will be £50,000 worth of prizes up for grabs and the winning act will have the opportunity to win a management and recording contract to release their single.

Register, audition and compete and you will be offered the opportunity to not only develop your live performances, but to expose your talent – whatever genre it may be. In the latter stages of the competition you'll have the opportunity to impress judges and many guests from record labels, agencies and the entertainment industry.

The competition is divided into age categories; Under 18, 18-24 and 25 and over. All types of singers, vocal performers, groups and acoustic singer/songwriters are invited to enter Open Mic UK; the competition is all about finding an act that has the ability to become a professional recording artist. So if you think you have the talent, it’s open to all, so get on the mic....Open Mic UK . Auditions will start again in August 2010,


Hope you like what you read!!

[Eye See Sound]

God, it feels like i'm open mics shadow.

I'm confused Victoria. I went to your site and it looks like they're all opera standards or covers (though my lack of knowledge of this area could mean they were originals and i didn't know). If this is what you want to sing, then I guess you need to get involved with the opera scene.

if you want to do cross over just using your (really rather good) voice and training in more contemporary stuff, then get 10 songs together and get a manager who will work this material and do it and you justice.

I discovered Leni recently. myspace etc /hazlittmusic She does the cross over thing. She's 30 now and is in three bands and has been doing this for years. She's crafted her original solo material and is now about to perform for Dekka (or Decka or however it is spealt). But it's all about graft. She's grafted and crafted and what she has produced is exceptional, original and beautiful. The Irrepresibles are another example of this cross over.

So get an original set together and then find a manager who will help you realise this. You're dealing with a very niche market but one which has an audience (we're just few and far between)

[desogw]

well, I suggest that you continue what you do, but concentrate on recording your crossover classical songs. the best way to spread your music is through Internet. use myspace and other social networking sites to promote yourself :]

[digitaldisco]

Unfortunately in this industry you have to take what you can get, it's not what you know it's who you know. While performing a pop gig you may get the opportunity to meet someone in the industry you are trying to break. Keep at it and take what you can get!!

[Digital Society]

Its all about who you know in the music industry no matter what genre you play. take what you get offered get to know people and time and patience pay off. trust me i know took me over 10 years to play with the best in the world