<p>I sing Soprano when I perform solo pieces but sing Alto in choir because I can semi read music. I am going into college for Music Education.</p>
<p>Most of the schools I'm looking into want 4 or 5 <em>contrasting</em> vocal solos. Suggestions by the schools were: 17th and 18th century Italian songs, Lieder (Schubert, Brahms, Schumann, etc.), French melodies (Faure, Chausson, etc), Early or contemporary songs in English, Classical songs from various languages and different style periods. </p>
<p>Songs needing guitar, popular songs, and show tunes are not permitted, piano accompaniment is provided.</p>
<p>Suggestions on songs to use?</p>
<p>Also, any schools you can suggest? I have a few but the more the merrier.</p>
<p>Your private vocal instructor will be in the best position to recommend songs that are appropriate for showing off your voice. It is risky to take recommendations from “strangers.” Your choices should be unique to your personal vocal strengths and weaknesses. While a particular song might be great for many other sopranos of your age, it could be terrible for you. </p>
<p>If you do not already have a private vocal teacher, then I would strongly recommend getting one immediately. While there is little that they can do with your production and vocal technique between now and auditions (and a wise teacher will mostly stay away from making any substantial modications given the limited time frame), a good teacher could help you make wise repertoire decisions and can certainly help you with interpretation and language.</p>
<p>Yep, what violindad said! You need to be working with a good voice teacher- don’t try to do this alone as its simply too competitive. There are hundreds of female voices auditioning for spots in schools so you need the proper guidance for your voice; remember, since you must sing in several languages, correct pronunciation and diction are very important. Good luck!</p>
<p>Pabs - what schools are you looking at? My D is a sophomore Vocal Mus Ed major, so I’d be happy to answer questions. Of course - on the repetoire question, you’ve already gotten the best advice - A song that is perfect for one applicant could be a disaster for another, even if they are comparably skilled.</p>
<p>Are you a senior? Either way you need to do precisely what violindad said and if you are a senior you are limited in what you can work on as Mezzo’sMama said. While you are lining up a voice teacher if you don’t already have one, get yourself a copy of Twenty-Four Italian Songs and Arias (if you don’t already have that) and consider what, if any, classical songs you already know.</p>
<p>Your choral teacher should be a good resource, too. If you can’t find a private voice teacher, he/she might be able to help you with repertoire choices, suggestions of schools to apply to, etc.</p>
<p>Since you are interested in music ed, the conventional wisdom is to apply to schools in the state in which you would like to teach. There are at least a few schools in each state that are well known for state teacher certification & resources. If you plan to teach in your home state you can talk to teachers at your school to see where they went and then explore the music programs at those schools.</p>
<p>Another point, since you are going for music ed- don’t rest with being able to “Semi-Read Music”! You MUST be able to read music for any Music Ed or Performance degree and if you are looking to teach, you’ll have to play piano at the very least.</p>