When I was 13 I auditioned for the Victorian Opera. (singing is my thing)
The show was The Magic Flute by Benjamin Britten I think... I knew nothing about it.
This wasn't the first time I had auditioned for a professional show so I went in relatively confident, my songs prepared, pianist chosen etc. I came into a panel of about 5-6 people, American Idol style, taking notes etc.
I had two songs, I forget the first but the second was 'Tomorrow Belongs To Me'.. A lovely piece from the musical 'Cabaret'.
Now some insight, 'Tomorrow Belongs To Me' is sung in Nazi Germany by a member of the Hitler Youth. Here are some lyrics.
'Oh Fatherland Fatherland show us the sign
Your children have waited to see,
The morning will come when the world is mine!
Tomorrow belongs to me!'
I was moderately aware of the context of the piece, but its an audition, I didn't think it would be an issue.
I still remember it vividly, the panel not writing anything, just staring at me in shock as I sung it. After the song, I received no comments other then the standard "You will hear from us shortly"
I received a letter informing me that I didn't pass the audition process, at the bottom of the letter was a message in bold.
'Proudly sponsored by the national Jewish festival'
....I even held my hand on my heart when I sang the fucking song.