<p>My D's coach has a BFA from SUNY Fredonia and originally expressed great frustration with the "Do Not Use lists" that I gave her. She felt that it was silly to worry about "boring" the auditioners, but now we both agree that these lists can be a gift. Schools that offer these lists could just as easily rejected those who came to their schools with stale, over used or inappropriate material. At least this way the kids are warned. Yes, it's really hard to find good material and before we saw these lists my daughter would probably have used something from one of her favorite shows: Wicked, Millie or Spelling Bee. It's human nature to choose songs that we've heard and love. It's so much harder to start trudging through books of older material , BUT.. in my opinion it, shows that you've worked hard and taken the less familiar road.
One last thing, the ability to recover or adjust from an accompaniest problem, tape problem, mistake or distraction shows professionalism. </p>
<p>If you have an "accompanist problem," like they get completely lost and just stop playing, it's best to just keep going, right? Because at my master class on Monday, the accompanist, who wasn't very good with even the easier music, played about the first six bars of the piece I mentioned before, and then basically died. But I kept going, and sang the whole five-minute song accapella. Is that okay to do in an audition situation?</p>
<pre><code> Yes, by all means keep going! The auditioners have all been in your shoes and they will stop you if they want the accompaniest to start over. The auditioners want you to do your best and showing them that you are unshaken will be to your credit. Try to stay in character and avoid making faces that show that you are freaking out!(My D used to grimace or raise her eyebrows, it only draws attention to a mistake or problem.)
</code></pre>
<p>oh sorry for double posting! but whut's peoples opinion of Leaning on a lampost from me and my girl? i dunno if this song is considered a ballad or upbeat song.. i would love to do it though because it's old and and i truly love performing this song.</p>
<p>The Kite might be a bit overdone...I was thinking of using it...but I had an experience where someone was singing it not at an audition, but at a thespian conference...and there were only 6 guys performing at that time...so I figured it was best to stay away from it. </p>
<p>I had Leanin' on a lampost as my backup song for auditions last year, and I would say that might be a bit safer. I had the same issue, as to whether or not to classify it as a ballad or an uptempo. I figured if you sped it up, it could be used as an uptempo...but slowed down...it doesn't lend itself so well to a ballad. Thats just my opinion...</p>
<p>is it okay to have two more classical musical theatre pieces (1940'2 and 1960's) or is it better to have one classic and a more contemporary piece for contrast. I would assume that bernstein/comden is enough of a contrast to kander/ebb</p>
<p>anybody have a suggestion on whut i can do for ballad? i think i chose leanin' on a lamp for the upbeat... im looking for baritone older songs hopefully!</p>
<p>im sorry for double posting but what's your thoughts on songs that are sung by the chorus? like Sunday in sunday in the park with geroge? i think its a sondheim song that can be sung by one possibly but also easy to play..</p>
<p>johnnydude, while Sunday is a fine song, I don't think it would be good to sing at an audition. This for the same reason that most chorus songs are not good for auditions.... Because there is no conflict or personal imagery to use for the acting. Auditiors want to see more than just a pretty voice, they want you to act the song, which does not mean to choreograph movements and emotions. You need to find a connection to a piece (or create a connection, it can be artificial) and use imaging to tell the story. Chorus music is mostly impersonal and therfore not useful for imaging. </p>
<p>About your rep question, Have you looked at any of the music from 42nd street? I like the title song and Lullaby of Broadway for baritone material.</p>
<p>I know this topic has gone astray, but I was just wondering, how are you finding original material? I mean, I go through composers that everyone has recommended (I.E. Cy Coleman, Gershwin, Rodgers and Hart), but I beside having to buy the CD or the sheet music how can I hear it? And are there any other ways I could get a hold of music that is not overused?</p>
<p>When you are considering pre-1960 (or pre-1965) "do not use" material, the question isn't so much what is overdone, it's knowing what has very specific vocal expectations. If your son sings the heck out of "If I Loved You," for example - I mean REALLY sings the heck out of it, at a near-profesional level - and acts the heck out of it, too, then it's a great choice for HIM. In fact, in that case it might be a better choice than something less well-known, because it is so vocally demanding (when truly done well) and beloved that if a singer does it beautifully, the auditors immediately know he's something very special. (I use this example b/c I suggested that a student do that song this year b/c he OWNS it, and he was admitted to CCM's MT program just a few days after he auditioned! :)) </p>
<p>Older songs usually don't fall into the "do not use" category b/c they are "overdone" - rather, they are unadvisable choices if they are bad songs for individual singers b/c they don't fit that singer's type, or if they aren't active (aka provide strong acting oppotunities), or if they don't show a dynamic enough vocal range. </p>
<p>And never forget the love of a song. My audition songs weren't underdone. I picked songs that I loved and knew that I coud sing. CoachC is right that if you own something, then do it.</p>
<p>I have not been on this site in quite a while, and this is probably not the exact spot for this question, but CC has saved my life in the past--especially during college audition months, so I am hoping maybe someone out there has performed this show and is willing to share what I am searching for. so here goes my question: my D who is an mt major is searching (fruitlessly so far) for the libretto of "The Life" by Cy Coleman as well as the music. If anyone has access to this work, please contact me as soon as possible--my D needs it for a class. In advance, thank you anyone out there who can help me!!!</p>
<p>Thank you so much for such a quick and helpful response, Soozievt! I looked at the link and it is indeed only the lyrics and my D requires the book as well....however, I am extremely grateful for the link, and I am sending her the link immediately. Thank you again. Still looking for anything anyone can provide me in way of the libretto. CC is an absolutely awesome resource!!</p>
<p>Would it be a horrible idea to use "I'm Not Afraid of Anything" from JRB's Songs For a New World at the Unifieds (taped accompaniement)? I need two contrasting songs...I am singing "I Never Has Seen Snow" from House of Flowers by Truman Capote/Harold Arlen as well. Thank you! I have other things in my repertoire but INAOA allows me to phrase, interpret, and act as well as show my belt which contrasts the legit sound of "I Never Has Seen Snow".</p>
<p>It's somewhat hard to play but also really well known (so most accompanists should be familiar) - and if you "own" it, it's a reeeeeeally impressive singing/acting song! :) Just make sure you do it BETTER than ANYONE else who will sing it - b/c it IS overdone. If that's not the case, I'd opt for something else.</p>