<p>S did "Giants in the Sky" for his auditions this year. We had no clue about the idea of a "do not use" list until we'd already begun the process (I didn't stumble on CC until the week after first audition and S's vocal coach was his school choir instructor, who didn't really know MT protocols). Of the three schools he auditioned at he said the accompanists at OCU and Elon were superb and never blinked an eye. Belmont was good but stumbled just a bit. Of course, I believe Elon had just done ITW in the Fall, but we also had the chance to hear that accompanist on some other work and he was really very good.</p>
<p>I would have to echo the comment of others...if you must have a DNU list, it should absolutely be for some reason other than accompanist risk.</p>
<p>Hi. I am going to be auditioning for acting (sorry if that is intruding) but I will have to sing acapella at my auditions and I think some schools require a recorded accompaniment. Does anyone know if Sondheim songs are discouraged for that? One of my best MT songs is "The Miller's Son" from "Night Music." I can see how it would be hard to get the timing right with an unfamiliar accompanist the first time because of the rhythmic changes, but would it be a bad thing to use a verse from it with a recording? Is it horribly overdone or too racy for a conservatory audition? Thanks</p>
<p>Mainstage -- that's very very strange from the Ithaca audition. The accomp. they usually use is awesome. Perhaps he was having an off day or it was someone different, because their normal "guy" is absolutely wonderful!!!</p>
<p>The list from which you are building your book is a bit outdated, missing several mainstays of current NYC auditioning:</p>
<ol>
<li>a true rock song (not pop)</li>
<li>Motown/R&B</li>
<li>50's/60's pop (diff. from contemp. pop) - used for JERSEY BOYS, HAIRSPRAY, and several other recent calls</li>
<li>alt/folk rock (used for SPRING AWAKENING and several other recent calls)</li>
</ol>
<p>I have been working with a lot of recent BFA grads on audition rep over the past 4 weeks, and they have needed all of the above in addition to some of the things on your list. One went in for a country show which asked for 2 country songs and ended up needing 2 more in addition - so I'd have more than one song of each genre for sure. :) Rock and pop is asked for more and more (and non-MT is usually specified).</p>
<p>I have a questions about the non-MT songs for auditions. This came up when D was auditioning for shows and once needed a motown and one 50/60 pop. Is it OK in these categories for someone to sing a song that has been done by another gender. One we considered and D worked on was "Ben."
Since these are not character driven songs, is it OK to pick something that might be thought of as a male song (assuming the lyrics are not inappropriate)?</p>
<p>Is the "Ben" you are referring to the old Michael Jackson song about the rat that he recorded in something like 1972? Keepingcalm, I am interested in hearing how the experts respond to your question about females singing songs first recorded by/associated with males.</p>
<p>I can corroborate that the accompainst at OCU is amazing, he a professor and he can play anything and is a walking opera/MT encylopedia. They also us another accompanist, a student, who is almost just as good. They don't have a "don't sing list" and according to my S just about anything you want to do is ok, he says lots of kids sing these "forbidden" songs for audtions, to get in the school and also for show auditions. They are a school of "voices" and have lots of people singing opera and art songs, so they are used to challangeing pieces.</p>
<p>NMR yes that is the Ben I was referring to, I can't even remember right now what she needed it for, maybe it was Hairspray but Ithink that had to be 50s and I know she did Dancing in the Streets for that.</p>
<p>I personally would not have a problem if I an auditionee sang a pop song that was originally sung by someone of another gender.... as long as the lyrics made sense.</p>
<p>To llong 39, you might want to try some of the songs by Lerner and Lowe. </p>
<p>--If Ever I Would Leave You from Camelot (beautiful ballad)
--C'est Moi from Camelot (light comedy)
--They Call the Wind Mariah from Paint Your Wagon (lovely, haunting ballad)
--Come Back to Me from On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (uptempo)
--Melinda from On a Clear Day (ballad)</p>
<p>These are all older shows, so maybe they won't be on so many "don't do" lists.</p>
<p>is They Call the Wind Maria really a ballad? I always thought of it as an uptempo..in the bari book i have it sounds really up-tempo
just curious</p>
<p>I always thought of it as slow, but there are some songs that are just sort of in-between. It IS faster than "I Was Born Under a Wandering Star," which is also from Paint Your Wagon.</p>
<p>Someone sighted that Jeckyl and Hyde was on the CCM "do not do" list 2006". I checked the sight (2008) and it only says to avod the transformation scene. Perhaps I missed something or perhaps the requirements are changing. D has a great song from "Jeckyl and Hide" Should she do it?</p>
<p>chelle~Like you, I had noticed that the "do not use" notes for CCM had been updated for 2008. I would think that if your D's particular song is not listed, it would be ok to use. The transformation song from J/H his just so hard to pull off without lighting and a lot of effort that I'm not surprised that they don't want to see it attempted.</p>
<p>If it's not specifically prohobited then go for it, but, having said that, if it's the piece that I think it is, don't be surprised if 10 other girls do it too! IT is a VERY popular number and I once heard 4 girls in a row use it for an audition piece at a community theatre call. PM or e-mail me if you want to talk more about it.</p>
<p>Look for a good voice coach. He/She is different from a voice teacher. You learn actual singing technique from a voice teacher. A Voice Coach is someone who specializes in helping you find a song that fits your voice and how to PERFORM/ACT your song. Here are some questions that you can ask when interviewing voice coaches:
1) How many of your students have been accepted into COLLEGE Music Theatre programs. (BA or BFA)
2) Which programs have they been accepted to?
3) Can I contact them for a reference?
4) Are you familiar with the "Do Not Use lists" that the universities often put out? What do you think of them? (An experienced voice coach will not be bothered by these lists because she knows sooo many songs/shows.)</p>
<p>Variety is always good, and most coaches on here will tell you that having a true belt song as well as a legit song is pretty much required these days.
A good voice coach can list and has access to hundreds of songs. He/she knows the music of pretty much every Broadway and off Broadway show. She can help you identify what a good "cut" would be. (16 bar or 32 bar) Again, a good voice coach knows all about the "Do not do" lists and sees them as a help, not a hindrance. </p>
<p>My D worked with Coach C (from this board) as did Kaysmom's D and NYDancersmom and many others. She worked with my D via web cam and it was wonderful. I would highly recommend her. There are many other qualified coaches out there. Just be sure that the person has experience and success working with students that are auditioning at colleges for MT. Again, voice teacher and voice coach; two different animals!
Good luck!</p>