Veterinary technology freshman Calli Kujat, who auditioned for the group Tuesday, said she is concerned with her lack of tryout experience.

“(My last audition) was way back in middle school,” Kujat said. “I got so nervous that I messed up.”
But to comparative cultures and politics sophomore Jake Bross, who judged participants on the State of Fifths audition panel, his experience did not help him defeat nerves.

“When I audition for anything, I naturally get nervous,” he said, “My hands get extremely numb and it’s really uncontrollable.”

Bross said he practices every spare moment all the way up until the day of auditions.

“The day of the audition, I take time to relax myself, although that rarely happens, and give myself the confidence I need to get through the daunting experience,” Bross said.

Kujat, however, does everything in her power to be sure she will perform her best, even changing her diet.

“I make sure I drink a lot of water because if you drink something sugary, it’s not as good for your vocal chords,” she said.

Although Bross admits auditions can be intimidating, deciding who makes the cut can be stressful as well. Computer engineering junior Kyler Wilkins, the State of Fifths music director, said the judging segment can be angst-inducing.

“My least favorite part is the selection process because so many fantastic people come out to auditions,” he said.

But vocal experience isn’t necessarily the ultimate deciding factor, Bross said.

“We’re essentially choosing people who we’re going to spend a long time with in the future; personality is totally key,” Bross said.

Kujat, Bross and Wilkins agree a solid audition can be earned through practice and attitude.
“The best thing to do is breathe and hope that I perform to the absolute best of my abilities,” Wilkins said. “Then it’s out of my hands.”