So I’ve been choosing my audition songs and getting ready for audition in February and I was wondering if there are any suggestions. I know it’s hard when you don’t know what my voice sounds like, but I’m a soprano with a high belt and also a legit soprano head voice. (Don’t really know how to explain it XP) Here are some of the songs I’ve performed:
Somewhere that’s Green-Little Shop (I was in the show)
No One Else- Great Comet
Burn- Hamilton
Far from the Home I Love- Fiddler (I’m in this show right now :))
Vanilla Ice Cream- She Loves Me
Urinetown (I was in this show as Hope)
Defying Gravity- Wicked (Of course I did because I had just discovered Broadway)
Green Finch and Linnet bird- Sweeny Todd
Art is Calling for me-The Enchantress
There are more, but these are some of the more well known ones to get an understanding of my voice type. My voice teacher recommends I sing Somewhere That’s Green but we’re still trying to find an uptempo and classic song.
Also what’s the rule on newer musicals? I’m obviously not singing Burn or No One Else. Even though I love them and perform them well I know there’s gonna be a lot of it. But if i wanted to sing In my Dreams from Anastasia would that not be a good idea. I do it well and it’s not as big a song from the show as Journey to the past but I know it’s new.
Sorry for the long post XP. Thanks in advanced
A very helpful discussion - if you search @VoiceTeacher, you will find some excellent advice on the topic.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/20351902#Comment_20351902
Also, check CCM’s website for audition requirements. They do a nice rundown of dos and don’ts (including what not to sing). Basically, avoid songs from shows currently running on Broadway (so Dreams is probably not a great idea - although I suspect the auditors will hear it a bunch this year), anything from Jason Robert Brown (some schools, not all) or Andrew Lloyd Weber, sing songs suitable for range and age (don’t try to hit that note you can only hit one out of every 3 times just to show range - schools often range test you) and no “signature songs” like “Over the Rainbow”.
“Somewhere that’s green” is overdone and unfortunately so are the others you list with the exception of “Far from the home I love.” You mention the list gives an idea of your voice type, but for me it does the opposite. Its very confusing to see “Defying Gravity” and “Art is calling for me” on the same list. They are two extremes that require completely different technical approaches that are EXTREMELY rare for a high school student to have mastered by their senior year. There are also huge differences in terms of personality in these songs that would make me wonder if you know who you are as a person/actress. Instead of looking for songs that are good in your voice, I think you would be better off focusing on finding roles that are perfect for you. Find an actress who has a similar personality and look up what roles she has played on IBDB. Pick a role and find out who else has played it by “displaying replacement casts.” Then find out what other roles each actress has played and then find out who replaced them, etc. When you have developed a list of 20-30 roles, look up songs in those shows and create a listening list. Then listen to the songs to find good audition material.
~VT
Thanks you for your suggestions. I have talked to my voice teacher extensively and we are still looking at songs, especially up tempo ones. Since I began working of Far from the Home I Love from Fiddler she as thought that it would be a great audition song and it’s nice to know it’s not too overdone.
For the seemingly conflicting voice types, when I first began singing musical theatre I sang only belting songs. I’m in a special music class at my school and my music teacher helped be build my technique and sing correctly. Two years ago I began voice lessons and she worked on belting songs for a few weeks since that’s what I brought. But then she realized I had a strong legit soprano voice. So I began working on songs like Art is Calling for me while still working on building my belt and singing correctly. Now I do an equal amount of belting and legit songs. (That’s what I loved about Urinetown. I sang lyrically in “Follow Your Heart” and then I got to riff and belt during “I see a River”. It was a lot of fun.
I really appreciate your advise about finding my role type. I’ve really been thinking about it and thinking about the roles I’ve played. Until now, when I’m playing Hodel in Fiddler whose more of a smart and independent character, I’ve usually played the innocent characters. Audrey was more ditsy while Hope was smarter yet very naive. Dorothy is the epitome of childhood innocence and curiosity. I’ve often been described as a Disney Princess voice and attitude. (As if i couldn’t tell by the birds flying around my head all the time) I believe the term in ingenue, but I’m not certain.
Thank you for your help
This may be late for some of you, but good guidelines here, if you are second guessing your material
Not able to post the link, but it is from Backstage.com titled “8 Questions to Ask Yourself When Selecting BFA College Audition Material” you can Google it