<p>So as long as it has a sustained legato line, then, it can be considered a ballad?</p>
<p>ie: My White Night would work?</p>
<p>I think My White Night would be considered a ballad. From the same musical, Til There Was You is a ballad as well. Just make sure that this song contrasts with your upbeat song.</p>
<p>First I want to thank everyone who has been so kind to answer my questions, it has been extremly helpful. I have been able to get many of them answered by just reading various threads, but I have one that I haven't been able to answer by reading. I know most students take a Parent(s) with them when they travel to an audition. My question is, what do the parents do, are they expected to drop their student off or hang around? Locally he just gets in his car and goes, it would probably be bad if I went with him, same at college auditions?</p>
<p>SRW....parents are along for the ride at college auditions because of the distance. So, yes, it is typical that the parents are there on this trip. Each school handles it differently but some TRULY incorporated the parents. Many schools held a session for both parents and applicants, explaining the program (often the director was involved). Then while the kids were auditioning, often there was a parent waiting area (some schools went so far to provide refreshments, others had parent tours of the facilities or Q and A sessions) and so parents were able to hang out and meet other parents which was rather nice as a way to pass time and to also just share amongst others going through the same thing. Some of us on CC even met up at these auditions. This set up varied from school to school. Some had NO parent room or no presentation or no refreshments. But most had SOMETHING. Having been to 8 of these, I have seen great variation of how the audition day was organized. Overalll, I want to emphasize that parents WILL be there. While your kid is auditioning, you won't be with him, which is just as well, but you won't be alone.....there are lots in your situation. As I said, some schools truly incorporated the parents into the planning of the day. </p>
<p>Also, unrelated to this but I recall a recent post of yours.....forget where or which thread......but you were mentioning that your son has done well in theater in your region and also won an NFAA ARTS Award and you wonder how he'll fare in the competitive BFA admissions process due to the level of how many other talented kids from around the country will be in the applicant pool. Your son sounds in the "running" to me. However, as you know, even the most qualified, can't get into all these programs as there are more talented/qualified kids than slots in any one particular program. But what I think you can safely predict is that if he applies to many programs, he should get into at least one (I'm saying this about your son, not every applicant). I think if he won an ARTS Award, that is one "benchmark" that he is competitive on a national playing field amongst the kinds of kids who will be auditioning for a BFA program. PLENTY of kids who do not win an NFAA Award WILL be admitted so I want to be clear that one must not have won one of these to stand a chance as I know LOTS of kids who did not who are now at top BFA programs. However, for those who DID win one, it is an indicator that they may fare well in this similar national applicant pool. It is just one audition and one award but at least it is one evaluative tool you have amongst talented kids outside his local area. I think it is a fair way to assess that he stands a chance in the BFA admissions pool, not at every college but one/some should come through. Again, if someone auditioned for NFAA did not win anything, the reverse is not true because NFAA was simply just ONE audition, and you can't base their success on another audition on just that one. But if someone did fare well there, it stands to reason that he is competitive in the BFA pool as well, which is a similar audition pool. You have to self assess amongst your local talent pool and any other benchmarks such as state level auditions or national ones, situations he may have been in such as summer programs that draw from a wide area of talent, plus feedback from professionals in the field.</p>
<p>If he is doing well in these ways, go in realizing that NOT every school will come through for him, but he likely is going to get in somewhere, if he has applications in at enough places. Think positively, if you can, though it is truly difficult odds. I think he is competitive for this process. Good luck.</p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>I was recently reminded that parents ARE good to have along on audition day! if you are from "out of town" at the audition, likely you will have a lot of gear, esp. if it is your last day in town, and SOMEONE has to stay with the gear while the auditioning student makes the rounds unencumbered by suitcases and bags. </p>
<p>It's so nice to be needed by these increasingly independent young performers, EVEN IF it's just to stay with the bags! :-)</p>
<p>can anyone help me with my question a couple pages back?</p>
<p>syracuse requires a pre-1960 song. one of my songs is from 1961-does that qualify?</p>
<p>I am not an expert, but everything I have seen on this board says to FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS relating to material. Your song may be OK, but the school may also see this as your failure to follow its directions. Why take the chance? I would suggest that pre-1960 means just that, not 1961.</p>
<p>Best of luck,</p>
<p>vocaldad</p>
<p>As you may remember, CSU Fullerton doesn't audition until the end of the sophomore year, at which time the parents are not expected or encouraged to attend (though other students are invited for the educational experience as well as to have more of an audience/performance and less of an inquisition feeling to the room).</p>
<p>However, parents often accompany prospective students to meetings with faculty and on tours of the facilities. In this situation, we do include the parent in the discussion (to ease their concerns about what their student will encounter), but primarily the focus of discussion and information is to the prospective student. The reasoning is that the parent will not be at school with the student - that we should start treating them like the adult we will expect them to be come the fall semester.</p>
<p>Parents, please understand that this is not a slight to you - it is merely our attempt to ensure the student knows what we have to offer, what we will expect of them, and to put them in the responsible adult mindset that they will encounter (far different from the high school environment) once they leave the comfort of their stomping grounds. This also ensures that the student is happy in choosing this program, as opposed to one who may feel pressured by the parent to be there (I can sense the latter in first meetings very readily, and it isn't comfortable for anyone in the room, student, parent or me).</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>eve</p>
<p>oh god, I'm SCREWED.</p>
<p>Chrism: Ha! Staying with the gear is just fine with me!
Soozievt:Thank you! you are so kind to take so much time to answer me.
Prof: I like what you said, I think that if they are not independent or heading that way, then it is definitly time. On a local basis my S generally takes care of all of his MT stuff, although I still ask him if has the right shoes, pants etc. Really I think I am just trying to find out what to expect, I'd hate to walk into an audition with him, if we didn't belong there, or if we were expected I'd hate to not show up. The materials we've gotten so far haven't been clear on this issue
Thanks, everybody</p>
<p>I wouldn't say that ToTheStage. There are probably many songs that you already know or have heard that would be prior to 1960.</p>
<p>Some research suggestions:
<a href="http://www.musicalnotesnmore.com/main.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.musicalnotesnmore.com/main.html</a>
Has extensive song listing, cast requirements, and song suggestions</p>
<p>Searchable database by vocal part and age of most songs in the Rodgers and Hammerstein Library - note - more than just R&H songs are in their catalog, so be careful.
<a href="http://www.rnhtheatricals.com/concert_library/%5B/url%5D">http://www.rnhtheatricals.com/concert_library/</a>
International Broadway Database has searchable database where you can select musical and a range of opening dates and you can look at them individually - tedious, but I've found some good stuff.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ibdb.com/advancedsearch.asp%5B/url%5D">http://www.ibdb.com/advancedsearch.asp</a></p>
<p>And final thought at <a href="http://www.ibdb.com%5B/url%5D">www.ibdb.com</a> you can search by performer. Is there someone who has been on Broadway who you emulate? Search on their name and find out what shows they were in early in their career - they have their birthday, so you can figure out how old they were. Bernadette Peters first credit was Most Happy Fella, Tommy Tune was in Baker Street. Chita Rivera was 20 years old in Can Can</p>
<p>Tothestage,</p>
<p>I don't think you're screwed at all. The logic of asking for a pre-1960 song has not to do with some weird calendar obsession. The reason schools ask for one song to be pre-1960 is they want to hear you SING a SONG, a piece that has a melodic line, something that is more likely to show the development of your vocal technigue, e.g., breath support and your range as a singer of something other than contemporary pop musicals. Asking for a pre-1960 songs increases the possibility that they will hear what they are looking for. So I think the fact that your song is from 1961 is not necessarily a deal breaker. Can't remember what your choice was, but if it harkens more to the music that came before it than the music that came after, you should be fine. Don't stress!!</p>
<p>And, of course, the most obvious answer - don't rely on OUR opinions - call the school and ask!! Explain, tell them which specific song, and see what they say! Some schools - yeah, don't break ANY rule - others - more into the "spirit" than the rule :)</p>
<p>I agree about the reasoning for asking for the pre 1960 song and that it is not so much about that actual date. A student MAY be fine if they choose a song from 1962 or something but my feeling is, when guidelines are given, it is best to follow them. We don't know for if an auditor or admissions officer is going to be a stickler for the limits that were given and why take ANY chance. It is like essays. If they say 500 words, it is a ballpark but it is not too good to write 900 words as it looks like you can't follow the directions. If they did not care too much, they'd not have given these directions in the first place. If the date didn't matter, then they'd simply have asked for something from the traditional musical theater repertoire, not contemporary. But they did give a date. Maybe they will stick to it and notice, maybe not. But when so much is at stake, my advice is to follow the guidelines given. I recall last year that my D found some songs she liked that were written in 1961-1963 or so but ruled them out just to be safe....even though it SEEMED like it should be OK, like theatermom says in terms of the gist of what they were getting at but it wasn't worth not following directions. However, I think I read that this year, UMich has stipulated pre-1965 which thankfully includes many other great traditional music repertoire. </p>
<p>My advice is that you should do a song that follows whatever the guidelines are. If they say 16 bars, or 2 minutes, or classical, or contemporary, etc. etc......why not go with what they stipulate. If they did not care, they would not have given such a list. It may not be a deal breaker if they love the song and how you sing it but I just would not want to even risk getting someone who took notice that you did not follow directions. It seems inconsequential, it's true, in the scheme of things, but some folks really do pay attention to who follows what was asked. You never know the reasoning of who is judging you so may as well go the safe route and do what was asked. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>ToTheStage:</p>
<p>I agree with MusThCC: call Syracuse. I suspect they have an audition coordinator who can help. Tell them the specific song. Either they'll say it's fine, or they'll discourage you from using it. </p>
<p>If you don't call, you're left with two very bad choices: (1) singing the song with all the anxiety you're feeling already, worrying that they may simply write you off for not following the rules; or (2) working up something else in too short a period of time, not knowing if the 1961 piece would have been acceptable in the first place. Either choice will leave you feeling very insecure, at a time when you need as much security as you can muster.</p>
<p>You still may have to work up something new. But it is so much better to know where you stand.</p>
<p>I hope this makes sense. Good luck!</p>
<p>DoctorJohn, that is the BEST advice of all! That leaves no uncertainties and he can plan accordingly!
Susan</p>
<p>yeah...I can't work up something brand new when
a) I love my 1961 song
b) I leave on Thursday
c)it's just not realistic to do a brand new song well.
my best shot is to have a backup piece pre-1960 that may not be as worked up, but if they ask for something else, I'll be able to do it. yknow?.....
ayyy.
thanks for trying to help-all of you.</p>
<p>ha. woops! I posted on my mother's screen name. I'm ToTheStage
hehe.</p>
<p>ToTheStage: Sounds like a plan to me. Good luck at your audition this weekend, from all of us!</p>
<p>My son wants to know if he can order a karaoke soundtrack for his audition...or should he record his piano teacher? The professional tape will sound better, but there may be background voices on it....what to do?</p>