Would you like to perform on the telethon this year? Here is what you need to know

Advice for performers auditioning for the telethon WATCH: Jeff Wiseman, the musical director for the CTV Lions Children's Christmas Telethon, discusses what they are looking for at auditions

As preparations for the 76th annual CTV Lions Children's Christmas Telethon continue, the show's musical director has some audition advice for performers.

Every year dozens of local performers are chosen to showcase their talent on the live broadcast that airs on the first Saturday of December.

This year, open-call auditions are being held the weekend of Oct. 19 and 20.

Performers will be selected from those auditions.

Jeff Wiseman has been the telethon's musical director since 2017.

What to expect

Auditions will be held in front of a panel of judges at the CTV studio in Sudbury located at 699 Frood Rd. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 19 and noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 20.

Performers will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

"There's going to be a small panel of a few of us there watching and encouraging you," Wiseman said.

"We're not looking for mistakes, we're just looking for people that can perform on stage so yeah, bring us your best."

Be prepared

Being a Christmas telethon, performers are encouraged to sing a Christmas song.

"Make sure that you have it memorized … and be prepared to perform it like you would on stage," Wiseman said.

He recommends bringing a backing track with music to sing along to during the audition.

"You can get that on YouTube, usually, karaoke tracks, and so just bring your phone or whatever device you have and we'll hook you up to the Bluetooth and we'll be able to play that backing track that you're used to singing to," the musical director said.

"We do get some people who like to sing a cappella, without music, and sometimes that doesn't work out so well."

Ultimately, he suggests coming to the audition prepared.

"Practise, practise, practise," Wiseman said.

"Smile, show us that you're comfortable on stage."

When it comes to song selection, keep it family-friendly.

Performers selected to be on the telethon may be asked to choose a different song, so it is a good idea to prepare a second one just in case.

All for a good cause

"Please come out and share your talents, that's what it's all about," Wiseman said.

"It's such a worthy cause to help these kids for Christmas time. So yeah, come and help us make a great show."

Watch the CTV Lions Children's Christmas Telethon on Dec. 7 from 2 to 11 p.m. The show will air on CTV Sudbury and be streamed online at CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca.

Anyone can watch the live performances in person at the Places des Arts downtown during the broadcast.