<p>Regarding audition songs and 16 bars vs. whole songs--for the 16 bars, do they have to be 16 continuous bars or can my son and his vocal coach "cut and paste"? I have heard differing opinions so I just thought I would check in with you all. Thanks!</p>
<p>My personal opinion (and what I have seen) would be to stick with continuous bars, although you can start at any point in the song. Usually people tend to do the last 16 bars. You want to make sure the storyline and character journey is kept intact in some shape or form.</p>
<p>Tranquil -- it depends on the song. Like JIJane said, you don't want to change the story line. But lots of songs don't really have a story line! I just did a cut and paste on "Who Will Love Me As I Am" from Sideshow that works very nicely.</p>
<p>I agree with onstage. It depends on the song but certainly if the cut and paste works well, it is allowed. Sometimes that creates the best 'cut' of the song. Sometimes someone might combine a part of the song and cut and paste the ending onto it. It is hard to talk about generically but in many instances, it works fine and it is definitely allowed.</p>
<p>I don't know if this helps but the Singers Anthology people do have books out with audition cuts. Even if you went to the music store and read through the appropriate vocal range volume it might give you some ideas.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback. The ability to cut and paste one of my son's songs is very helpful.</p>
<p>Hi guys, I'm new to the forums and the whole audition process, so excuse my ignorance. But my question is regarding the no-Sondheim suggestion. What about songs that don't have piano accompaniment (but have other instruments, of course)? I was thinking of doing Giants In the Sky from Into the Woods for my audition, due to its versatility of style. To my knowledge, that song doesn't have (or at least has very little) piano in it. Is accompaniment required, or is it simply faux pas not to have it? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>You most definitely need piano accompaniement. Giants in the sky is not usually a good idea for college auditions in the US it seems, as it is very popular and very hard to sight read for the accompanist.</p>
<p>I agree with JIJane. You must have piano accompaniment. Also, it does exist for Giants in the Sky. However, that song is overdone. Also, most Sondheim songs are not advised for auditions. No matter what, you may not sing a capella. It isn't simply inadvisbale, most schools will not allow you to do so.</p>
<p>Ah, understandable. The song is in one of my Songbooks, and the accompaniment is rather limited. But, then again, perhaps there's full piano music in the official songbook. And as for being overdone, while I'm sure being original is good, I'm going to prioritize finding a song that fits far above finding a song that's never done. I know that there's plenty of material to sift through, but I think focusing on quality is better than worrying about if its a popular song. I also think that colleges' "Don't Use" lists is there to steer us away from what colleges think are overdone. Those lists are probably my main criteria. </p>
<p>SO...that being said, thank you guys for the advice! I guess I won't be doing that song, then!</p>
<p>If a school does not have a specific do not use list, is it "safe" to sing a Wildhorn song? I have read that his music is controversial (why??)-- Also, if a song was written before 1960, but the musical was not staged until the 1980's, which category does this song fall under?</p>
<p>If anything I would think Wildhorn is simply very overdone. As for your other question, what show/song are you talking about?</p>
<p>42nd Street...</p>
<p>mesmom, it's when it was written. Also, look into the show. There might have been a preview or something of the sort, but a more popular staging took place later.</p>
<p>My advice for Wildhorn is to choose his music well. I do not know personally why he's a no-no. But I am probably Wildhorn's biggest fan, but be careful. DO NOT do anything from Jekyll and Hyde because it is generally overdone and it's very hard to pull off without a thousand-dollar lightshow. I'd say Pimpernel is a maybe, as is Civil War.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice! The song (music/lyrics) was written in 1933 for the screen version... the broadway version wasnt staged until the 80's I believe... the Wildhorn piece is Once Upon a Dream, which is from J&H... It is perfect for D's voice, but if it is a no-no we need to change asap- she really wants to stick with 42nd street for up tempo (without the intro)--- She might look at other Wildhorn pieces for her ballad... Is Once Upon a Dream also overdone??</p>
<p>I love reading this board even though my daughter is going for vocal performance, but I just don't completely get the whole "overdone" thing. Aren't the adjudicators capable of picking out the best performance of even the most overdone song? If not, they should be. Are we afraid of boring them? This is their job - they should be able to listen to 1000 kids sing exactly the same song and still be happy to make a decision. The same applies to songs that are identified with certain singers - so what? Pavarotti can sing the heck out of "Caro mio ben" but young classical singers are not told to never sing it because he does. Repertoire should be age appropriate and show off one's unique skills. Finding it shouldn't be akin to a scavenger hunt. Rant over - carry on.</p>
<p>cartera45
I have often lurked on this forum too even though DD was vocal performance and it does seem to be a distinct difference between MT and VP in that sense. VP are expected to use the tried and true repertoires. They often are requested to perform the same arias and the adjudicators hear the same ones all day. MT seems to designate songs that are off limits and overdone is a no no. Just a difference in the way the genres are handled I believe.</p>
<p>singersmom - a definite difference - I just don't understand why it developed that way. The kids have to digg around to find all this obscure material and then guard the choices with their lives so it remains obcure and then they go to college and do Urinetown and Little Women.</p>
<p>cartera45, I think there is actually a happy medium to be found between singing the same songs that adjudicators have heard done dozens and dozens of times that day and "digging around for obscure material." gazillionth time!) I think even the most professional and seasoned college adjudicator has to "zone out" a little when confronted with yet another girl singing "Astonishing" or "Defying Gravity," though I am equally sure that there are many kids who get admitted to programs singing those songs. But if a kid's goal is to become an educated MT performer, it also behooves that kid to research and delve into the wealth of amazing material there is out there, and find stuff that suits her or him. Again, as in most things in life, the middle ground is the best place to be. :)</p>
<p>I agree with NotMamaRose. My feeling is the "happy medium" mantra. I would avoid the MOST overdone material. Perhaps you can be admitted with very overdone songs as they are not evaluating the song choice as much as the singer, but when umpteen candidates sing the same song, there are many comparisons and after listening all day, a bit of boredom, as well. Plus, it can come across as a bit "green" and not well versed on the genre to sing the most popular song of the moment. So, I think when someone comes in singing Defying Gravity, it doesn't HELP them. Why risk it? By the same token, I think one can get caught up too much in trying to find something obscure for the sake of well, finding a song that nobody else will sing. In fact, my own daughter readily admits that she put too much energy into that back when she was an applicant. I don't think you have to sing something unique, and it is OK if someone else sings the song. But I'd avoid a song that TONS of people are going to sing, though if you are the one who will stand out above all others with the song, go for it. But that is taking on a big chance to be the one who owns that song. </p>
<p>So, I'm for the happy medium stance of finding a song that shows you off well and it need not be the most unique song of all, but it shouldn't be the most common one either. If it is unique, that's great. But I don't think that will be the difference in being admitted. It still comes down to talent and skills. I can think of one song my D sang that I doubt anyone else sang at BFA auditions at all. But another song she sang is from a show that I have read some post here saying that show is overdone in auditions (just to be sure, I'm not talking as overdone as Millie, Les Mis, Last Five Years, etc.!). It wasn't the most popular song from the show and actually I don't know anyone who sang it but I'm sure someone must have, but I personally do not think it is very overdone. She got into schools with it and got an NFAA award with it. Then, I read CC and see some say that show is overdone. Well, she still uses this song. </p>
<p>That said, I happen to love Once Upon a Dream for a soprano singer. Many do say not to sing from Jekyll and Hyde. My D played Lucy in that show and I recall mentioning to her that I thought A New Life is really good for her voice (one of the songs she sang as Lucy) and she was like, no way would I ever audition with it because it is overdone. :( I also recall the girl who sang Once Upon a Dream with a very beautiful soprano (the girls were 16). I still think it is a gorgeous soprano song. While J and H may be overdone, I haven't heard other girls singing Once Upon a Dream at auditions, not to say they don't. But it is not as overdone as say, Someone Like You. So, as much as J and H is often overdone, I might consider Once Upon a Dream for a legit soprano ballad if the other song she sings is less overdone and shows a belt voice (or if can't belt, then a mix voice). If a school has stipulated a "do not do list" (few schools have such a list but beware of CCM), double check about singing Wildhorn. Otherwise, I wouldn't totally nix Once Upon a Dream. Yes, the show's songs tend to be overdone, but this song less so than others and it is not like the MOST overdone song of all at auditions. The other thing is to find a legit soprano song that is similar but at this late point, if that is the song that shows her off the best, perhaps stick with it. </p>
<p>I agree that this issue of "overdone" songs for MT auditions is not the same as classical music adjudications!</p>