Audition Songs for A Countertenor?

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>I have a strong tenor chest voice that I plan to use and show off in auditions, but I also have a countertenor range when I switch to false-setto (and a little bit before my break, as well). Should I try and showcase this at my college auditions, as it's "kind of rare" for a man? I'm a 20-year-old transfer student, so I know it's going to be even harder for me to get into MT programs, but is it too much? Also, any song suggestions? Would I sing a song traditionally sung by a mezzo? Would I sing "My Conviction" from 'Hair', a selection from 'Jersey Boys' or just transpose men's songs up several keys. I'm pretty sure I'm already singing a female song (although there's nothing to really suggest that it's supposed to be sung by a woman in the lyrics) and I want to be really careful how I market my "type" to people: I'm trying to show that I can fit into the "male ingenue" box for when they're casting plays, but I also want to show off my unique range. I've been asking around at my school and at local community theaters and no one's exactly sure what to do with me. To my knowledge, there is ONE other countertenor on campus, and he sings classical music and is on a very different career path...and nobody's really sure what to do with him either.</p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>Trying to think of super high songs for a countertenor - And all I’ve got is “Mary Sunshine” from Chicago (thinking that a countertenor is a man who sounds like a soprano, not like a man singing falsetto). If it’s hard to find something in that range, maybe there’s not a big call for it in MT. I suggest doing your best to sell your tenor with falsetto with your required audition pieces (male songs in their proper key that fit your type as you are now) and have “Sunshine” or some other “bonus” stratosphere piece ready should they ask about it having noticed that bit of info on your resume or in conversation.<br>
Hopefully a college rep will drop in on this. Best wishes!</p>

3

<p>If you could find the arrangement for “I (who have nothing)” from SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE Broadway version - this would be a great choice as the riffs go into the stratosphere and are quite impressive. Good Luck</p>

4

<p>Thanks guys! You’ve given me some options to think about.</p>