<p>newmtmom: As I said, there are different opinions out there. Clearly, if you have a song that's absolutely right for you in all ways, including the key, then that choice is preferable. But sometimes a song which is right in all other ways is just a half-step too high; then I'd consider having it transposed down. What you're looking for as a perfomer is the place where the voice can ring without audible and visible strain. Not an easy thing to define in words, but you know it when you hear it.</p>
<p>But Susan is absolutely right: never, never ask an accompanist to transpose on the spot. It's much too dangerous. Have the song transposed in advance and printed (not handwritten) clearly.</p>
<p>And while we're on that subject, for auditions it's best to find songs in which the accompaniment is relatively straightforward. Most college pianists are very well trained, but even the best can be thrown by tricky rhythms, difficult keys, and dense accompaniments. Recently, a poster wrote privately and asked about two songs her D was considering, "A Trip to the Library" from SHE LOVES ME and "What Does He Want of Me" (in 7/8 time) from MAN OF LA MANCHA. I asked Dr. Dennis Davenport, our musical director, and here was his reply:</p>
<p>"'A Trip to the Library' is known by most musical theatre accompanists, but it is tricky to sight-read, and the timing between the piano and singer are tricky even for players who know the song... I would choose another piece. Man of La Mancha is less problematic, but my advice is to choose a piece with no accompaniment issues whatsoever."</p>
<p>Thanks Monkey and Soozievt. You know - it gets to the point where they start stressing over every little detail. Glad to know there are so many of you going through - or who have survived - the same!</p>
<p>Momfirst ....I have not been through it yet, but just have a child like you do, going for it now. I just want to say that my D was not planning on giving in a repetoire list at any auditions, just a theatrical resume. She only wrote up a repertoire list because UMich specifically required one as one segment of the resume, with quite specific directions. Other schools, in my view, are just looking for the kid to hand in a theatrical resume at the audition. Others can correct me if I am wrong. I am only mentioning this to you because your prior post referred to your D preparing a repetoire list for her college auditions. I don't think she needs one, just a theatrical resume. </p>
<p>Just got back from a trip that included a visit to our son at CMU and wanted to update you on the MT student experience there. It’s fabulous! Our son was absolutely glowing, talked non-stop about how much he is learning, how challenging and exhilarating the classes are, and how impressed he is with the students and faculty. We were so impressed with his description of each class. He said that every day, no matter how exhausted he might be, he thinks how thankful he is to be there. We met other freshmen in the MT program and found each of them to be so happy and supportive of each other (another plus to a no-cut program). We met a Sr. MT student too and she was just the same. You can tell the group is bonded through all levels. There are some on-campus performance opportunities (like Parents Weekend, something in Dec, and another event in January) for freshmen. So nothing but great reviews from us on CMU!</p>
<p>We finally saw his dorm (he lived in a hotel when we dropped him off) and it is amazing. The building has vocal warm up rooms, a full dance practice room, laundry, TV areas, computer clusters – everything you need. The dorm rooms are spacious compared to those at the colleges our other kids attended. </p>
<p>About lining up an audition slot, we too found it incredibly difficult last year and that’s because so many students are applying to CMU. Keep in mind that last year over 900 kids auditioned, so both the Admissions Office and the MT coordinator are swamped with calls and emails. We found going through the MT coordinator to be the only hope of really getting a slot. Do keep trying because there are only so many on-campus and unified slots available and they will fill up. </p>
<p>If you have any questions, let me know!
TX Mom</p>
<p>As Soozie said, NEVER expect your accompanist to transpose at sight. Some are very good at it, others are not. Even for those accompanists who are good at transposing it adds another layer of difficulty to your audition. Your accompanist will have to be concentrating on the transposing and will not be able to focus on you! I agree with Doctorjohn's music director - try to choose a piece that has no accompaniment issues. Accompaniments for most Sondheim pieces are full of dense chords, many accidentals, much switching of left hand onto the staff normally read by right hand, and coordination issues between the singer and the pianist. That is why CCM for example, asks that MT candidates not choose songs by Sondheim for their auditions. If you don't know whether or not the piano part is difficult, ask a good pianist to take a look at it and give you his opinion.</p>
<p>I personally would not be bothered to see a written out accompaniment that had been transposed unless it was in some oddball key that had lots of double flats or double sharps. If a song is perfect for you in every way but it is a step too high, then I'd say go ahead and have it transposed down a step. On the other hand, if you are an alto trying to sing a piece designed to show off a soprano's high range I would question why you are choosing that piece. The literature is large enough that you should be able to find a song that does not require drastic transposition - say, dropping the key by a 5th. If you choose to transpose your song, please find someone to transpose it on a computer using a program such as Finale. Do not go into your audition with an accompaniment that has been written out by hand! Hand written manuscripts are notoriously difficult to read. Don't expect your accompanist to have to deal with it.</p>
<p>I do not know what the MT faculty at CCM think of transposing audition songs. The next time I see my D's former vocal coach I will ask him. (I should be seeing him next week at a production he's directing.) When I find out, I will let you know.</p>
<p>Hi all, just wanted to tell you that I found my way onto the new site. Hopefully I will get my own internet access soon so I will be able to visit more often...</p>
<p>Just a note regarding a repertoire list. My daughter is applying for a BM in Musical Theatre at Florida State. A repertoire list is among the required paperwork for this degree's application too. So at least our work for U of Michigan gets use more than once!</p>
<p>Hi all! It's been awhile since I posted as I've been way too busy accompanying Fiddler at our local high school. I'm having a great time, though.</p>
<p>I thought I'd give my 2 cents on the transposition issue. I played some auditions in NYC many years ago and the director told the auditionees that their music HAD to be printed professionally (nothing hand written), and there was to be NO transposing by the accompanist. It was alright to transpose, but to not expect the accompanist to do it at sight. People came into that room with hand written music that were turned away. Also people who tried to have me transpose at sight. All turned away. I hated to see it, but that is exactly what happened. I'd also listen to all of dancersmom advice above.</p>
<p>My D is at UMICH as a voice performance major, but with lots of MT thrown in. She loves both and it was difficult to choose, so she has started with as much MT as she can do, and she sure is busy with it all. She loves life at UMICH and now calls it "home". She auditioned for both and was accepted to both. That application is a monster. All the advice above is perfect. Give them what they want.</p>
<p>I'm going to pick up our D tonight as there is a fall study break on right now. It'll be good to have her around for a few days.</p>
<p>Dr. John - Thanks for the info. on the quarter semesters. I believe the night classes in Winter Semester were, indeed, for adult learners. I was just trying to understand/figure out if MT students really finish up classes @ Thanksgiving and don't return until the beginning of January. Side note - My D received her acceptance letter from Admissions at Otterbein and was so excited, even though it doesn't mean she's in the MT program. It's still a thrill to receive that first "we want you" letter.</p>
<p>DizzyDani88 - So funny to read you performed "Out of Gas On Lover's Leap". It was written by my brother!! I know that it's somewhat popular because it's a teen monologue, but it is a pretty intense piece for a young actor/actress to perform.</p>
<p>Lynn, congrats on your D's first hurdle at Otterbein! Yay! and boy, that is quite the coincidence on that monologue. I don't know it but that is really neat. </p>
<p>Gkoukla, thank you for sharing your daughter's UMich experience to date. Love hearing about current students as it helps. i have a child applying to that school. </p>
<p>TxMom...thanks for sharing about CMU, and it sounds like it has been awesome for your son so far. My D has a friend (girl) who is a freshman in the MT program (initials are JW), talented girl who my D has performed with for many summers. As far as lining up the CMU auditions, maybe it is better this year? While it took a while to get the information to line up an audition (finally is online), once they did make it available, I was able to get a slot immediately. Perhaps this is because I did it right away and it could be harder later on but it was not hard (yet). </p>
<p>Shauna, great to hear from you! I hope you are having a fantastic time at UNT. You deserve it! Hope to hear more from you down the line.</p>
<p>Lynnm,
I just did a little web search for Mark St. Germain and discovered that his new play, "Ears On A Beatle", is featured on "Paybill" online this week. Pretty neat. There must be a lot of talent in your family!</p>
<p>Congratulations to your D on her 1st college acceptance letter. Hopefully she'll soon be getting an MT program acceptance letter.</p>
<p>Thanks Soozievt and Dancersmom. My D said, "Imagine if this was all I had to do to get into MT for college, rather than all the auditions, etc.?" She'd be done with all her worrying and it's still October. What a fun, relaxing Senior year could be! Oh well, hopefully she'll be getting into MT SOMEWHERE!!</p>
<p>Dancersmom - The talent definitely runs in my brother's family....hopefully my D picked up some of it. (She's at least had the opportunity to watch a lot of theatre, thanks to my brother.) Definitely doesn't run in my blood anywhere! My brother is a very talented writer and his son has followed suit. He's studying Drama at University of Evansville and has also won a young playwright's award. Interesting how my brother really didn't have too much personal info to help me with searches for MT programs, since he's more of a drama guy, but he did call in the help of some acquaintances to give me advice on schools. Honestly, I've learned a lot more from College Confidential than anywhere else, though!!!</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who responded on the transposing. I already knew that you couldn't ask the accompanist then and there to transpose, but I didn't know about the handwritten--although that makes sense, too. And although my D has performed with some great accompanists, she also had the experience of performing cold with someone who knew classical piano but not show or jazz--and essentially sang a capella--so it makes sense to not assume anything. I'm curious about two things: 1) is everyone's child someone who has been into drama since birth? When you talk about your kids it seems as if they have been performing forever. My D only discovered that she could sing a few years ago and has only performed at our high school. 2) People seem pretty familiar with the "ivies"--who, by and large, have very small programs except for a couple--who only have small programs. When I look at the others on the list of schools with MT programs, they too, are quite small and generally, require auditions. So, is it any easier to get into those? Are they truly worse or is it just a question of reputation and popularity? For example, OCU has been talked about quite a bit and seems quite popular. But is it truly better than other programs or is it only that it has an alum who is very big on Broadway? (This is not to put down OCU, I'm just trying to understand how to judge programs. There doesn't seem that much difference in course requirements.)</p>
<p>in response to (1), definitely not. I believe that you're getting that impression because the frequent posters here have kids with the most performing experience and thus have the most to contribute. Or they are kind parents who are still here after their kids went through this process last year. I'm mostly in "listen and learn" mode still, myself!</p>
<p>wstcoastheater,
I read with interest your information about University of Arizona. You see, we live in Arizona. It is always nice to see a school mentioned in our neck of the woods! Our D. hasn't given UofA much thought for several reasons:
1. It is in our "backyard" so to speak so it's not nearly as exciting as going out of state.
2. It is not talked about much on this thread so it probably isn't considered one of the "elite" schools.<br>
How did your child decide to go to this school? What other schools were considered? Obviously, based on the acceptance rate, it certainly can't be considered as a 'safety school' (which is what my D was thinking....not realizing the small numbers of acceptance.) Do they do anything with conjuction with Actors Theatre of Arizona? I would love to hear your opinions and any info you would like to share.
Thanks,
Jenny</p>
<p>If you click on your control Panel and enable messages to be sent, I will send you the link to some info on the theatre website at U of A and answer any further questions you may have as to how my student came to choose U of A. If you are that close to the University, I would suggest taking a tour of the facilities and seeing Carousel which is playing in November!</p>
<p>You brought up some great questions about the size of these programs. We realized when we were in the middle of the audition process just how small these programs are. I remember sitting at one audition and the school indicated that they only took twenty for the program. I was beside myself, I thought this particular school was a safety for my daughter... Not only that but I thought she was in the running for an academic scholarship according to her stats.</p>
<p>Immediately, I got that sick feeling. How could I have been so uninformed? I went home and reread all the school's literature, and went back onto the web site. The number in the program was never mentioned anywhere. So just by reading these postings, you, too, will become comfortable in helping your child find a good fit!</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me if the NYU sponsored (cap 2l) and the studio cap21 summer programs prepare the H.S.junior for college auditions. Heard that CMM does. Just curious. Would appreciate a reply especially if anyone knows the difference in their programs.</p>
<p>Got back last night from our weekend at Michigan and it was quite a whirlwind. I wish I could say that we got to spend a lot of time with our D but our plane was delayed an hour and a half and we had no idea (nor did she at the time we made our reservations) how much time she would have to spend at the theater as part of her responsilbilities running costumes for A Chorus Line. Her call was a full 2 hours before curtain and the 6 costume kids had to wash and dry (or Febreeze where appropriate) all the costumes after every show - another 2 hours work after curtain! The show ran Thursday night, Fi night, Sat afternoon, Sat night and Sun afternoon. What with running rehearsals all week, I don't think my poor D has had more than 4 hours sleep a night this week. Did I mention that this week was also mid terms? Yikes!! SO we saw her for a half hour Friday evening before her call, 2 hours Saturday morning and 2 hours Sunday morning. And you know what? I was happy with what I could get. It was just good to be able to see her, hug her and listen to her talk in person. Plus, she has a way of making me laugh like no one else.</p>
<p>She's really happy at UM. Overall, the program is exactly as she expected. Are all the freshman chomping at the bit to perform? -- you bet. Are they thrilled to have to work so intensively on the "technical" aspects of their profession, i.e., learning to play piano so they can work on/learn music on their own, studying music theory so that they are strong, literate musicians as well as MT performers, learning the techniques of ballet that underpin most of the other dance forms they need to know? -- not happy every day. But do they understand that this program is thoughtfully preparing them to be the strongest, most capable artists they can be? -- I believe they do. They also have a renewed appreciation for the technical crews who support their work on stage from doing those jobs themselves. So they will work their way through this first semester and this first year. They look at the upperclassman and are so impressed with their capabilities and their self confidence. They are wonderful and supportive role models for the "newbies."</p>
<p>The show (A Chorus Line) was really phenomenal. While the guest director/choreographer (who has performed in the show on Broadway and around the country and the world) demanded that they do all the original choreography and was true to the original look and feel of the show, most of the performers were able to bring something of themselves to their roles that kept them fresh and new, even if you had seen the show many times. I found the most incredible aspect to be the dancing (take heed all of you who have kids who are dancers). I couldn't believe that all 19 of the students looked so strong. Could you tell that several of the kids had clearly been dancing a long time? If you have a dancer in the family and have watched dance a long time, you can always spot the best trained danceres. But they all did ALL the choreography - ballet, MT jazz and even the pretty demanding tap sequences. One of the boys who looked the best was a sophomore who my D tells me had NO dance before getting to UM. From what I am hearing and seeing, dance training at UM is VERY strong.</p>
<p>And that's the other thing - this show was cast just like a Broadway show - to type, irrespective of class year as far as I could tell. There were sophomores, juniors and seniors in lead roles. I saw the show twice and if anything, I was more impressed the second time than the first. All five shows were completely sold out.</p>
<p>So that's my weekend. I'm so happy we went. I know that I'm a hopeless UM booster and I know that it says something just like this on the CCM website, but "more I could not wish you" than that your son or daughter has the opportunity to go to UM.</p>