Journal Entry: A Singer’s Guide to Performing at the Hollywood Bowl
Dear Virtuosi,
17,500 seats, starry skies, and a stage that sings back—welcome to the Hollywood Bowl.
Beneath the starry expanse of Los Angeles, the Hollywood Bowl stage turns every note into a moment of magic. With 17,500 eyes and ears waiting, every note you sing stretches across the open air, challenging your stamina, artistry, and presence.
What do you need to know before your Hollywood debut?
Master the Open-Air Stage
“Singing at the Hollywood Bowl means mastering your voice to cut through open-air acoustics.”
The Hollywood Bowl is a spacious outdoor amphitheatre that accommodates approximately 17,500 people, featuring a curved bandshell designed to project sound. Unlike indoor concert halls, outdoor venues lack reflective walls and enclosed resonance, so vocal clarity depends heavily on breath support, precise diction, and effective resonance strategies. Because sound disperses more freely outdoors, you’ll need to rely on strong vocal coordination which involves efficient resonance, clear articulation, balanced registration, sustainable belting, controlled breath management, and skilled microphone use.
You need to:
Let your voice soar with smart, sustainable resonance techniques
Fuel your sound with controlled breath support
Own the stage - master the space, the acoustics, and your mic skills
Sustain Energy, Endurance & Versatility
“At the Hollywood Bowl, it’s not just singing—it’s stamina, strategy, and style, all rolled into a show-stopping performance.”
The Hollywood Bowl season features hundreds of concerts across genres from classical and jazz to rock, pop, EDM, film scores, and world music. Singers often perform high-energy, long sets with minimal breaks, making vocal endurance and musical pacing essential. They will need to prepare for 90-to-120-minute performances with safe belting techniques, and strategies for recovery between songs. Before stepping onto the stage, singers can carefully plan their setlist to balance energy throughout the show, alternating high-intensity songs with dynamic & vocal contrast. Also, physically preparing for a high-energy show with cardiovascular exercises and singing while moving will make all the difference on stage. Blending stylistic understanding with physical readiness ensures performers can maintain vocal clarity and presence from the opening note to the finale.
You need to:
Build vocal endurance by practicing safe belting, pacing, and recovery strategies
Plan your setlist smartly
Train physically and vocally for performance
Master Your In-Ear Monitor
“Stay in sync and in control with IEM mastery.”
At the Hollywood Bowl, singers rely on in-ear monitors (IEMs) to hear themselves clearly over the large, open-air stage and the mix of instruments. Regularly rehearsing with in-ears, rather than waiting until the gig, helps the voice adapt to the isolated sound and allows the singer to get comfortable with balance and mix. Clear communication with the sound engineer is essential for achieving the right personal mix, adjusting levels, and addressing any issues quickly. Additionally, having a backup plan in case of technical failure—whether that’s a fallback monitor, stage wedges, or a mental plan to stay in sync with the band—ensures that the performance can continue confidently, even if problems arise. By combining preparation, communication, and contingency planning, singers can use in-ear monitors effectively and maintain vocal control throughout the show.
Come prepared to:
Train regularly with IEMs
Communicate with your sound engineer
Have a backup plan
