1) Listen to several recordings for the overall sound world. Do not get too attached to one recording/one way of doing things. There is no "correct way." In fact, we want to hear your way, which is interesting to us because we've never heard it before and is personal to you and no one else. If I wanted to hear Jessye Norman's way, I can youtube it for free.

2) PUT ALL MUSIC AWAY!!!!

3) Go to the text/poem....