Do not use list for auditions

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>My son will graduate in June 2008 and wants to audition for three one-year MT programs in the UK (RAM-MT, RSAMD, and LAMDA). </p>

<p>He has a strong choral/a cappella performance background and has been in many musicals - lead roles have included Higgins, Finch, Narrator/Mysterious Man, and Billy Bigelow. He is always doing one or more shows (e.g. FOUR this term - two musicals and two plays, and a musical and a play at the Fringe Festival this summer) and is really loving life. However, he hasn't devoted much effort towards selecting the perfect audition songs. As this thread clearly illustrates, you may have a CV a mile long, but the audition is everything. </p>

<p>His vocal teacher here in DC (opera/MT performer/prof.) has been working with him on a few songs he already knows, and currently his main audition songs are Corner of the Sky, Santa Fe, and I Believe in You. He needs a few more great songs to work up, and neither of us have heard everything out there, by any means - hence the request for suggestions/advice.</p>

<p>Here are my (very incomplete) thoughts: He really nailed If I Loved You and Soliloquy in Carousel, but is the former overdone, and the latter too narrative (as in, where would you start and stop, it's so long)? His voice: he often sings Tenor I, but his vocal quality is dark with lots of overtones, like you would normally find in a baritone. Since he is effective at acting a song, I'm wondering if a yearning or even a tragic or angry ballad would be suitable for his vocal quality - maybe Dulcinea, or Jud's song from Oklahoma?</p>

<p>And at this point, I run out of gas completely - hoping you can help. Since he's in a university that doesn't have a performing arts program, he doesn't have an experienced professional mentor available.</p>

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<p>Oh, I could write a book...</p>

<p>From watching student auditions, I can tell you that there is a definite list of songs that have been done and overdone this past audition season.
For boys: On the Street Where You Live (My Fair Lady) is done at least 3 times in every audition I have watched.
Giants in the Sky (Into the Woods)
Anthem (Chess)
Luck Be a Lady (Guys and Dolls)
The Kite (YAGMCB)
Bring Him Home and Empty Chairs (Les Mis)
Confrontation (Jekyll and Hyde) I only saw it once but it just...wont work for your advantage</p>

<p>For Girls: The last 16 or 32 bars of Vanilla Ice Cream (She Loves Me) Its so overdone that the showcase of the high b isnt worth it
Times Like This (Lucky Stiff) It's cute, but shows almost no range. Girls probably think its underdone, yet I heard it at every audition I attended this year.
Gimme Gimme, Not For the Life of Me, Jimmy (Millie) Millie songs are SO overdone. It's better just to not sing them.
Gorgeous (The Apple Tree)
Johnny One Note (Babes in Arms)
Change in Me (Beauty and the Beast)
Astonishing (Little Women)
I Could Have Danced All Night (My Fair Lady)
Shy (Once Upon a Mattress)
Not Afraid of Anything (Songs for a New World)
Don't sing a Mama Rose song.
Do not use songs associated with a particular performer. I cannot tell you how many girls came in announcing they would be singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Don't Rain on My Parade, together.
Don't wear sweatpants and a hoodie, or something elaborate and patterned (it will simply distract from you), or dress like a skank.
Watch what you say and do outside of the room. Current students DO report back to the faculty.
Have confidence, but do not be arrogant.
Know the show your song is from, it the character who sings it and what he or she wants, and where comes in the story.
If the panel asks you to change the way you are approaching the song or monologue, DO NOT blow it off. They like you and want to see your versatility. Nothing is more frustrating than someone who has so much potential and cannot or will not take direction.</p>

<p>I wouldn't sing anything that is currently playing or has recently played on Broadway, no Les Mis, Webber, Wildhorn, or Sondheim, JRB if youre not using taped accompaniment. Mostly, sing material that is appropriate for you and your type. You WILL find a song that works just as well for you as you think "Popular" does, without the audition panel secretly groaning under their breath. Essentially, you want to do everything in your power to make the best impression possible, from the moment you introduce yourself and your song to the moment you walk out the door. Within such a short amount of time, you cannot afford to use most of your audition attempting to overcome the panel's initial reaction that you are singing 'On My own'</p>

<p>Hope this helps!</p>

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<p>For men -- I heard Corner of the Sky 2 - 3 times on the day that I saw only 15 men audition... I like the song, thank goodness... :) </p>

<p>For women -- most things from Spelling Bee are really hard to cut into 16 - 32 bars, and is difficult to sync up with a new accompanist. </p>

<p>There is a great baritone song from Marie Christine called "I Hear the Ocean"... I think... There is also some good Baritone material from I Sing... </p>

<p>If he is a higher Bartitone he may want to look at John and Jen...</p>

<p>Also look at Romance/ Romance and Falsettos for more contemporaty Baritone material.</p>

<p>As per your questions... If I Loved you is beautiful, but the auditioners may have a specific sound in mind... Soliloquy is difficult to cut becuase of the narrative journey of the piece... but, if he singing them well, worht having in his rep.</p>

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<p>Ok, I'll chime in. </p>

<p>My S did "If I Loved You" at each of his auditions, but it was done by at least one other man at each of those auditions. Unless he can really nail it, there will be comparisons and the weaker singer(s) (even though they may be EXTREMELY GOOD) may lose out. So . . . I would be very careful in choosing that song.</p>

<p>Also, I think it really helps to do songs other than those that your S (or D) has performed in a show. It shows initiative in finding appropriate material and a larger repertoire. Just a suggestion.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>vocaldad</p>

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<p>My students' experiences somewhat counter the advice to avoid both the currently played/is playing on Bway and JRB. I agree to avoid the current material IF IT IS PUBLISHED - if not, and you can get ahold of it and are really appropriate for a role, it can be dynamite, unless it is SO new as to be distracting.</p>

<p>Some JRB songs are a bear to play and many are "too old" in content for high school students, but some are neither.</p>

<p>The above info is corroborated by my teaching partner, a recent UM MT BFA grad (and someone who plays a lot of professional auditions as well). :) Above all, KNOW the possible "downfalls" of your material in the eyes of the panel and really think about whether the song merits that "risk" - as vocaldad says with "If I Loved You." And by the way, his gifted son REALLY nailed that song (as his admissions show!) :) :)</p>

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<p>One male song I adore and is almost NEVER done is "There But For You Go I" from "Brigadoon". It is hard to cut (as it is mostly repeats), but if your son is very expressive then he will have a ball with it, as the song grows with the voice. It can be done by anyone from Bryn Terfel (you can find it on line, and it is to die for!) to a much lighter bari. Try listening to the orignal cast recording (remastered) of it and you'll see what I mean.</p>

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<p>This thread has always been of interest to me. I posted about 7 pages back... that was about 9 months ago. I doubt anyone is looking back that far, so I will update my thoughts.</p>

<p>These "overdone lists" have always bothered me. I am a primarily a coach/teacher. I have also watched hundreds of people auditioning as an auditor. I teach musical theatre classes and private voice at a college in NYC. I have cast several other projects. I am going to try to address this not as a coach, but as someone on the panel watching.</p>

<p>If there are four people behind the desk auditioning...I am almost always the most lenient and patient. I will often ask for more if I want to hear something from someone auditioning, when the others in the room have heard enough. I feel it my obligation to give each person a complete audition.</p>

<p>There are many obvious choices of songs Not to sing ... these songs are usually based on things like age, vocal range, gender...etc. A 16 year old should not sing "Send in the clowns" an lower soprano. should not sing "Glitter and be Gay" and a male should not sing "I Feel Pretty". You get the idea. Also, don't bring something that is TOO difficult to play. As a side thought, I do feel every college should have a really terrific piano player there. They owe that to you, and if it has a good music dept., which is what you are looking for, they should have several. If they can't find one, you may not want to go there anyway. Remember you are auditioning the school too.</p>

<p>That being said. DO THE MATERIAL THAT BEST SHOWS OFF YOUR TALENT AND PERSONALITY no matter what it is!
As someone watching college auditions, I feel my job is to evaluate potential... I am NOT there to be entertained. I am working... I didn't buy a seat to a show. I want to see who you are.</p>

<p>Most of these overdone lists are personal lists anyway. In the last ten listings you can read lots of pet peeves that prove that. One person loves one song, and another person hates a song. Some of these "rules" are just plain arbitrary... don't sing a song from a current show on Broadway...... Who says? </p>

<p>Pick material that works for you. If "I Could Have Danced ALL Night" really works for you , and you are connected to it, and are communicating something.. do it. Judy Garland sang "Over the Rainbow" almost 75 years ago... if it works for you, and you are communicating... do it! </p>

<p>It's better to me than going out of your way to choose songs that are obscure, just because they are obscure. There may be a reason they are obscure. Pick material and make it as simple and clean as possible. Try to find some humor. </p>

<p>Unless a school specifically chooses a do not sing list (which I would find obnoxious)... do what you want. If three other boys have sung the song you chose before you, of course you are going to be compared to them.... get used to it... you are anyways...you are going to be compared to someone else's audition for the rest of your life if you are going into Musical Theatre. </p>

<p>To Make a long story short... take all these "don't do lists" with a grain of salt. Again.. do what works for you. If it works it works.</p>

<p>I said this in an earlier post... I have seen so much stress put on students and parents trying to find songs that aren't overdone, they forget what the audition is really about. The panel auditioning you wants to see who you are as a person and your potential. At least that's what they should be looking for....</p>

<p>If I had my way.. I instead of a "don't do" list ... I would have a "must do" list... I would choose 40 girls' songs, and 40 guys' songs... and each student has to choose from that list. End of story. </p>

<p>I have never, ever sat at an audition wishing I wasn't hearing the same song over and over. I am looking at the student, not the song.
Maybe that's just me.</p>

<p>Good Luck to everyone. </p>

<p>If you are auditioning for next year....start looking for songs and monologues NOW!</p>

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<p>TOMBFACOACH_ Can we PLEASE have more people with positive attitudes like yours sitting on audition committees and just helping our children in general?! I LOVE your idea of a "Must Do" list and I am so tired of people saying, "Oh,My GOD, you can't SING THAT! THAT was Barbra's!" or "NO, you can't take a SONDHEIM piece to an audition! No one can play them!". MY D is living proof that you CAN and suceed too. Thank you, sir.</p>

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<p>I am under the impression that most schools that offer "do not use" lists or suggestions are doing so to help the students who will be auditioning for them. </p>

<p>If you are a strong singer/ performer and the material that you have choosen shows you off well, I don't think anyone would not accept you to a program for singing, for example, "Not for the Life of Me" or "What do I need with Love?"... both favorites among young singers because they can relate to the material and the songs are good songs...</p>

<p>I personally would rather hear "What's the Use of Wondrin'", "On the Street Where you Live" , or "If I Loved You" 50 times over the course of an audition day than hear "I Know the Truth", "Take Me for What I Am", or "Waiting for Life" once. However, if someone comes in an really nails "I Know the Truth" as both a singer and an actor, that person is going to have more of a chance of being admitted than the person who doesn't sing and act as well, regardless of the material.</p>

<p>Basically, find material that shows you off well, and that you love to perform. If you are concerned that the accompaniment is too difficult to play consider bringing your own accompanist... I think that students should worry less about finding the "perfect" audition material and spend more time preparing the material that will show them off at their best.</p>

<p>If you are a HS junior who will be auditioning for programs next season, start looking for and preparing material now. Preparation leads to a more confident performance, and offers the schools for which you are auditioning the opportunity to see your potential more fully.</p>

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<p>Great answer Kat! That's why we now take our own accompanist along and plan to do so for college auditions to the extent possible. Once again, the kids are bombarded with the negatives and the "do nots" instead of being able to find something that really resonates with them (this may be their last chance to do that!), and that's a shame.</p>

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<p>Kat wrote:

[quote]
I think that students should worry less about finding the "perfect" audition material and spend more time preparing the material that will show them off at their best.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I think this is KEY. I think a LOT of time is spent by some (even my own D at the time) on trying to find something more unusual or unique and the focus should be on material that shows you off the best. Yes, it is good to avoid the most overdone songs. After that point, it is not so important to find something nobody else is doing, etc. Use what works for you and shows you the best. For college admissions, I don't think there are extra "points" given for finding a unique song. Either you have the skills/talent or you don't. That is what they are looking for, not that you found something nobody else has sung. I do think it is best to follow general guidelines, however, and would avoid the songs that everyone is doing. But beyond that, it need not be super unique either. It is more about finding the right song for you. In general, I will add that having a vast knowledge of the MT repertoire is something all students of MT should attain. In that regard, I do think there are kids who can't seem to look beyond the latest songs of the moment or the most commonly known audition songs. There is a happy medium between singing overdone songs and finding something utterly unique.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
That's why we now take our own accompanist along and plan to do so for college auditions to the extent possible.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Be sure you check if that is permissible. At some colleges, the accomanist is part of the selection team, and how the student relates to the accompanist can play some part in the selection process.</p>

<p>At least a couple of schools state that the staff accompanist MUST be used.</p>

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<p>I know a lot of the songs from Les Mis are overdone. But what about "Stars?" I haven't seen is on the posts here. Thanks.</p>

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<p>I second what MusThCC suggests. Check with the schools if your own accompanist is allowed at BFA auditions. I didn't see anyone with their own accompanist at the 8 school auditions we attended. Perhaps it is allowed but always check ahead of time.</p>

<p>At casting auditions in NYC, I also have never seen anyone bring in their own accompanist.</p>

<p>It is very important to mark your music with how you want it to be played throughout the selection. Also it is important to talk to the accompanist before beginning so that it is clear how you plan to sing it and what you want them to do, etc.</p>

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<p>Tom, I love the statement that if a song is obscure, there's probably a reason for it! I think the better songs become well known and therefore overdone. Choosing an obscure song solely because it is obscure is ridiculous.</p>

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<p>i have read a TON of posts on facebook in accepted students groups about what they each sang for their auditions and all these kids are accepted already...a WHOLE lot of people sang songs that at sompe point may have been considered "overdone" but they still got IN! The same with "overdone" monologues. I think you should just avoid the most popular stuff that is out </p>

<p>there and currently on broadway...like everyone sayS: Wicked, etc....</p>

<p>but it doesnt matter....accepted students who posted wrote that they performed some of these:</p>

<p>"gimme gimme" from thoroughly modern millie (often considered overdone)
"corner of the sky" from pippin
songs from miss saigon, the light in the piazza, more songs from Millie,
songs from little women, etc</p>

<p>these can often be considered overdone, but apparently worked for these kids! i did notice however, that since most schools have you sing TWO songs...the other songs the kids sang were usually older or more obscure pieces...so a balance there is good. just my thoughts!!!</p>

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<p>Bringing own accompanist...</p>

<p>I agree with the posts that suggest checking with the schools about bringing your own accompanist. This is a common practice in classical voice, but not common in MT. Although, many schools may be fine with it.</p>

<p>When I was auditioning in NYC there were not many people who brought their own accompanist to open calls, or even agent submissions (because you are generally singing sides from the show), but I do know people who did occassionally being their own accompanist with them, depending on the audition and the material.</p>

<p>In general, however, this is not common practice in the MT "world". This is whay it is important that you music is very clearly marked for the accompanist.</p>

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<p>Personally, I would strongly avoid overdone pieces, if only because the judges will certainly be sick of them. You also run the risk of being cliche. When competition is this tight, why would you risk aggravating the judges? Though there are always stories of exceptions, I just think it's always wise to boost your chances as much as possible. My S chose a piece by Sondheim from "The Frogs" - "Fear No More" - and an older piece from Gypsy, "All I Need Now is the Girl." I'll bet very few kids chose "Fear No More," and it's a wonderful expressive difficult piece that suited my S really well. The only problem with Sondheim is that typically the accompaniment is too difficult for the average accompaniest (sightreading). In my S's case, all his auditions allowed taped accompaniment. But if it required live, for Sondheim, I would then take along my own accompaniest, provided the school is ok with it.</p>

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<p>Regarding bringing your own accompanist -- my D auditioned for 6 MT schools. 2 of them allowed me to accompany her -- and those were the two schools which accepted her! Coincidence? Ha -- who knows. But any school will tell you in advance if they allow an outside accompanist. If they do, then you can pick a song of any difficulty and not worry about the sightreading problem. As long as it's OK with the school, it can be a tremendous advantage.</p>

<p>I just discovered this thread and it has been interesting to read. In my experience as a vocal coach, I find that very few of my younger students are familiar with older composers and shows. So I would assume that most college auditioners would be thrilled to hear some of the older standards that are not commonly done. Think shows like Irene, Pajama Game, Pal Joey, Babes in Arms, Anything Goes. There are some great songs in those shows that need to be re-discovered!</p>

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<p>I was scanning all the previous posts, and I didn't see anything about not singing songs from Ragtime...would songs from that musical, such as "Back to Before". be overdone?</p>