<p>Hello All!
Just recently signed up on these forums.
Anywho, i'm applying as a transfer to SUNY Purchase.</p>
<p>I'm a Bass 2/Baritone and I've selected the following songs;</p>
<p>Alma Del Core -Antonio Caldara
Let Beauty Awake -R. Vaughan Williams
(Aria from "Die Zauberflote") Isis Und Osiris - Mozart</p>
<p>The first two pieces I am completely sure of, and all songs are completely within my range, but i'm not sure about using an Aria for a college audition. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>On the Suny purchase website it lists the following for audition criteria:
One Italian art song.
One German or French art song.
One song in English (not a translation)
Some schools are very particular about no arias.</p>
<p>I would also advise caution in auditioning with an aria, particularly one traditionally associated with the Seriöserbaß fach. Range is not the issue here. Unless you can be convincing in the role, you should not be auditioning with that piece. Although some colleges program Magic Flute, it is rare indeed to find a 21- or 22-year-old bass who has the vocal size and darkness of color needed to set Sarastro as a worthy foil to the Queen of the Night’s vocal gymnastics. At age 18-20 (assuming you are transferring after your first or second year), I think you may want to look for more age-appropriate material. </p>
<p>You will need something in German or French. How about something along the lines of Beethoven’s Ich liebe dich, Mozart’s Das Veilchen, or any of a number of Schubert songs transposed to a suitable key?</p>
<p>What does your voice teacher have to say about your choices?</p>
<p>I’ve been on my own for some time, the first two choices were chosen by my last choir teacher, but he unfortunately moved.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice on the aria, i’ll steer clear.
What about something like “Der Einsame” - Strauss?</p>
<p>Whoa! Could you please tell us more about your voice? Unless the mind is going faster than I thought, in the original key, that piece is for a very low bass. Are you currently in school as a VP major? If not, and you’re working on your own, I really think getting a chance to work with a good teacher in your area during this audition time would be benficial, if for no other reason than to get you used to singing with accompanimant again.</p>
<p>My range is Low Eb - Middle E.
The lowest note that “Isis Und Osiris” hits is an F in the key of F major.
I’m unsure of the original key, but I believe Fmaj to be the one.</p>
<p>I’m having a look around for a pianist to work with for a bit right now, I need to have the CD recorded and sent by January 1st…I’m on the ball here!</p>
<p>When I say this, please realize that I am guessing at your age (which I take to be 19 or so) and I have never heard your voice. If you happen to have a phenomenally dark and developed voice for someone that age, then you may be able to tackle something like “Der Einsame” and make it work for you in an audition. Most young basses, even those with the strong low register that this piece requires, would come off sounding as though they are not quite ready to perform that particular piece. Once again, this is not only about range, but the ability to make your voice as dark as the mood of the text and music.</p>
<p>In an audition, one must play to their strengths and, from your choice of material, it seems that you consider your low register one of your strengths. If you have the range but not the presence or color in the voice that a song requires, you will be demonstrating vocal weaknesses and questionable judgment. Perhaps you are the exception to the rule that large, very low male voices are not really developed until the singer is in their 30’s or even 40’s, but it is very hard to determine that from listening to yourself or even to recordings of yourself. At this stage of your training, and before going to the expense and time involved with a pre-professional music program (and I am assuming that you would be starting from the beginning since you are not currently studying with a voice teacher), it would be a solid investment to find a teacher to help you, even if it is only for a few lessons to evaluate your voice and get you started in the right direction on your audition rep.</p>
<p>Another consideration is the accompaniment. Strauss songs often need more than a few minutes of rehearsal with an unknown accompanist to pull together, even when both the accompanist and the singer are both quite talented. Although slow, the piece is generally done in five flats and there are a LOT of accidentals. This is not going to be a piece that school accompanists get asked to play all that often.</p>
<p>If you happen to be in the northern half of the state of New Jersey and are having problems finding a suitable accompanist, send me a PM and I may be able to give you a few contacts. Likewise for voice teachers.</p>
<p>Good call re. the accompanist, BassDad. Like most schools, Purchase asks that one sing the same pieces that were submitted on the pre-screening CD, which gives the accompanists a “heads up” but I wouldn’t chance " Der Einsame" with an unknown quantity supporting me…
Also, may I just say, BassDad, that you are so kind to offer to help this young man.It’s not often that people are willing to take time from their busy lives to help anyone, much less a total stranger. That’s not the case here on CC and you illustrate this wonderfully!</p>
<p>has Suny Purchase sent prescreen results yet? I didn’t think they had (although my son is guitar jazz, not voice).</p>
<p>I don’t believe they’ve sent results yet, all performing majors need to have their Prescreen Cd’s in by January first.</p>
<p>They might have started letting some go early though.</p>
<p>Yes, we were surprised my son heard back from New School (positive, yay!), and they’re not due until Jan. 1.</p>
<p>Although Suny Purchase may say you have to sing what you put on your prescreen…this is not the case…My DD sang a different selection from what was on her prescreen and they were fine with it.</p>
<p>Should I be hesitant about using falsetto for a note or two?
Is that generally frowned upon?</p>
<p>It depends on just what you mean by falsetto and how well blended with the rest of your voice you can make it sound. If it sticks out from your full voice like a sore thumb, then not a good idea. It also needs to be right for the piece. If the piece calls for a big high note and you lose most of your volume at the switch, then it is not a good idea. If you have to force it and it starts hurting, then stop right away. If the note needs to be soft and you can float it out there without sounding breathy or pinched, then it could work. The trick is to get it really well blended with the upper range of your voice so that, when singing softly up there, you can hardly hear any difference between the two. That can take a fair amount of practice and is best done with the help of a good teacher so that you do not wind up damaging your voice.</p>
<p>Re: accompanist at Purchase. If memory serves correctly (2 yrs. ago), the accompanist was a faculty member and there was no rehearsal time with him- Just walk in and go. So, having enough experience to not have that “freak you out”, could be critical!</p>
<p>I still would not ever deviate from what is posted on a site, with regard to what one is supposed to sing at an audition without written permission from the Chair of the department. It’s one day, one chance, so why risk it?
Another reason to “sing what you sent” is supported by what musmom2 just posted- you may not get time with the acccompanist before (that’s also the way it was at Hartt), and they have already have a list of what is to be performed and have made sure that they are familiar with the pieces. If you change your rep you may make it even harder for yourself.</p>
<p>So now i’m going through the motions practicing my songs, but i’d like to find one more just incase.</p>
<p>Can anyone point me in the way of some good 20th century english songs?</p>
<p>Let’s see, you already have an RVW piece in English, so how about something from this side of the pond. Gerald Finley put out a fantastic album of Samuel Barber songs about two years ago. You might see if any of those fit your voice.</p>
<p>Thanks again for all of your help!</p>
<p>My final list is:</p>
<p>Alma Del Core - Caldara
Im Walde - Schumann
The Vagabond - R. Vaughan Williams</p>
<hr>
<p>I feel pretty safe with all of these choices and have been working with accompaniment lately. My recording date is this coming Tuesday which is also the day i’ll be sending the CD!</p>
<p>Just as an FYI, “The Vagabond” is VERY popular for auditions, so don’t be surprised if you hear it from others while warming up!</p>