<p>I'm trying to finalize my audition pieces for this year, and an ALW song (Unexpected Song from Song and Dance) seems to be a good choice for my voice. I have, however, heard that it's best to avoid certain composers (Sondheim, ALW, JRB, etc.). Is there any truth to what I've heard? If so, whose work should I avoid?</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>You can do a search for more detailed info but in general things to avoid. Anything that is currently or recently on Broadway. The composers above, mostly because they can be difficult for the accompanist without some rehearsal time with the singer. Super popular musicals because they are over sung (Les Mis, Wicked, Spring Awakening, etc.). Things that are not age appropriate. It can be tricky. I am reminded of a post on here from several years ago, a young man was waiting his turn to audition and he was prepared to sing “On the Street Where You Live”, the previous six guys sang the same song! Follow the schools guidelines very carefully. You want to find something that you love, sing wonderfully, fits your personality and voice, is not over sung and follows the schools guidelines. It can be tricky, but you can do it.</p>
<p>I just posted this link in response to another question above, as well. Here is a “Do Not Use” thread that was started a while ago. Be sure to check with your schools as they likely have their own updated lists of songs to avoid. </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/90869-do-not-use-list-auditions.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/90869-do-not-use-list-auditions.html</a></p>
<p>srw: Ah, right. That all makes sense. Thank you very much!</p>
<p>MTMama: Thank you for that link! It’s been extremely helpful so far. I think I get the general idea now. :)</p>
<p>I can’t imagine anyone spending all that time reading the do not use thread especially given it started 5 years ago! That is A LOT of reading and the truth is what may have been overdone then may not be anymore. I think you are better off focusing on what songs best showcase you and fit the parameters of the school’s requirements. Yes, it’s great to have a song that is unique and suits your voice. But don’t panic if you have something that they may have heard before…just sing it better than anyone else.</p>
<p>My S doesn’t make a habit of choosing songs that are considered overdone for any audition. He’s actually very good at finding pieces. But he chose On the Street Where You Live for a 16 bar cut last year and I think that even if six people sang the song ahead of him, he’d walk into the room and make a joke about it and then blow them away with his performance. Sometimes being confident about your choice and your talent is better than changing it up at the last minute. Good luck!</p>
<p>Yes - as with any older threads it makes sense to read the most recent postings rather than ones from five years ago. And I did suggest that the OP check with their schools as they most likely have updated “do not use” lists. But there are some general principles that haven’t changed in the last five years - don’t do anything currently on Broadway, don’t do songs with complicated accompaniment (many of Jason Robert Brown and Sondheim’s songs fall in this category), look at golden age music if you haven’t already, etc, etc.</p>
<p>Thanks for your responses! I’d just like a little more clarification about what “recently” means. If, for example, I wanted to sing a song from South Pacific. The show originally opened in 1949 I believe, but there was a revival that just opened in 2008. Should I not only steer clear of shows that were written recently, but also those that were revived recently? Should I also steer clear of musicals that were made into movies recently (like Nine)? Also, what qualifies as “recent”? One that opened in the past 5-10 years? Or a show that opened earlier but was still running 5-10 years ago? Are these questions ones that I should be asking the individual schools?</p>
<p>Thanks a million for all your help! :)</p>
<p>Rogers and Hammerstein are never overdone, just for the belief, that since they’re Rogers and Hammerstein, they must be overdone. But they aren’t! Huzzah! What they mean by recent is the SMASH hit stuff, like Wicked, Millie, shows like that. Having it be a revival means nothing in the scheme of things. I help the run the auditions at Carnegie Mellon, and we don’t care what you sing here as long as you love the song, and feel comfortable singing it!</p>
<p>I think “recently” is okay (but follow CarnegieMT2012’s advice to avoid SMASH hit stuff) - but not shows that are currently on Broadway.</p>
<p>hi. i want to audition using a song written by Jule Styne from a 1949 movie. Looking at the sheet music its seems a lot more involved than other pieces from that era. How would i know if it were considered “too difficult” for an accompaniest to play???</p>
<p>Try showing it to your voice teacher (who I assume plays piano) or an accompanist in your area who plays for auditions at a local theater or school. They would be able to tell you if it is too difficult to sight read or not. My daughter is an accompanist, for example, and could tell someone if the piece was hard to sight read.</p>