<p>It is true that Home is a common audition song and that is a consideration to ponder. I would agree that that is more of an issue than that the song is from the musical, Beauty and the Beast. I recall my own daughter singing Home as a MT piece in middle school. She would not choose to use it today (she is now 21). I would encourage one to expand their MT repertoire. Home is an appropriate song for a MT audition, though it is a common one.</p>
<p>If “it is a common one” then that’s generally reason enough to not want to do it. While it may be appropriate it’s REAL close to not being appropriate. Of course if you get permission from a uni. then you should be fine. Good luck, KatyEmm! :-)</p>
<p>List or not, the student should be completely confident and comfortable with their song choice. You should sing a song that you feel you do best. The auditioners are more concerned with your voice quality then your song choice. Good luck to all.</p>
<p>Hi everyone, I’m planning on using the songs
-“The Light in the Piazza” from the musical of the same name-
and
-“That’ll Show Him” from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum-
for my audition pieces for musical theatre schools.
Does anyone know if they are on any no-no lists or are overdone? My voice teacher thinks they’ll be good, but I want to be sure.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Light in the Piazza is difficult to play and sync up with an accompanist you have never worked with, so it could be a little risky.</p>
<p>Generally speaking Sondheim is also difficult for some accompanists… but That’ll Show Him is one of his “easier” pieces to play. </p>
<p>Do any of your schools require you to have a piece from a musical written before 1960 (or 1965)? Both of your pieces are from shows written post 1965. You may want to think about replacing Light in the Piazza with a golden age soprano ballad… or at the very least have one ready to go in case asked.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Agree with KatMT about Light in the Piazza: it’s a difficult accompaniment, particularly if you have the music in the original key. In any case, I would strongly recommend that you have back-up songs. This gives you options just in case a lot of other students have chosen the same selection; it happened to my daughter when she auditioned and she was very happy she had other selections in her repertoire. Also, at some auditions you may be asked to sing a second up-tempo or ballad, so it’s wise to have several you can choose from.</p>
<p>is anything from bat boy or reefer madness overdone?</p>
<p>Not in my experience.</p>
<p>im applying to colleges soon, and my colleges provide a list of composers/shows that would be good to sing from. Jason Robert Brown AND The Secret Garden were both included. Granted, I would not sing these at other colleges with strict “do-not sing lists” but I do truly love the songs I have chosen, including JRB and the Secret Garden.</p>
<p>would “Shy” from Once Upon a Mattress be considered a bad choice for an audition since it’s in the “overdone” list?</p>
<p>It is definitely overdone. I would stay away from it unless you feel you can deliver it better than anybody else.</p>
<p>Regardless of what is considered overdone, it is more important to perform something that you do well and can really relate to the song. You need to show off your talents the best way you can. </p>
<p>There seems to be an obsession with “overdone” songs. No matter what song choice one can come up with, the person holding the audition has probably heard that song a 100 times over. Pick a song that is age appropriate that shows off your vocal range best.</p>
<p>I completely agree with beenthereMTdad. The song choice is important, but it is even more important to sing a song with which you are completely comfortable and can make it your own. Do something you like, bring something new to it, and show off your personality! Colleges want to see someone who is willing to take chances and make bold choices. Go for it!</p>
<p>I see a lot of kids in my Musical Theatre classes, and I’m ALWAYS impressed by the ones who reach back and do the older material.
Either that or they sing something I’ve never heard of.
I personally don’t want to hear ANYTHING used by a Disney Princess ( I live too close to Anaheim)
I’m a teacher at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, and I try and steer my kids into songs that tell a story, and especially young people, please chose something in your age range unless you are SURE you can play the “joke” (Ie Ladies who Lunch by a 12 yo)
I’ve got some great suggestion from composers that have worked at our theatre whose music isn’t known YET. LMK if I can help.</p>
<p>My dd and I are trying to narrow down her selections for her upcoming auditions at Pace, Rider, and Wagner. She already sent in a DVD of her as Cassie in a Chorus Line, so that’s out, they’ve seen it. She is already in academically at Pace, but Rider and Wagner are pending her auditions. She just got the part of Witch in ITW, but I imagine that should be off her list too? She is a strong mezzo-soprano, so some of the things we are considering are: Ballad: Maybe This Time, If He Walked Into My Life, Home from The Wiz (she does an awesome job with this)…what we are having trouble with are uptemps. I am thinking Gooch’s song, but what about anything by Meg from Brigadoon? Some of the lyrics are racy, but she could pull them off. Please share other ideas you might have, any and all help would be appreciated. She previously had a coach but isn’t currently with one, though I was a vocal major in college and have helped her a lot.</p>
<p>It’s usually best to avoid anything requiring an accent which would rule out “My Mother’s Wedding Day” ( I love the song, but it doesn’t really showcase a range well either). “Gooch’s Song” is a riot, but it’s definitely a “Character” number so if it’s used it has better be over-the-top funny. Remember too, that Agnes is supposed to be a terrible singer! “Maybe This Time” has Liza Minnelli stamped all over it and is avoided for this reason. “If He Walked Into My Life” is keyed to an older character, but is a nice ballad, so if your D plays “old”, this might be a go. The Whiz pieces have strong ethnic ties- there can be negative backlash if one isn’t the type they are expecting.
The most important thing for your D now is to be working with a good teacher, especially one who has a good track record with college placement. And try looking at some of the pre-1965 shows for some good pieces.</p>
<p>Lulusmom2 ~ It is my understanding that you can use the same song for the live audition. Maybe someone who is more in the know can chime in here…</p>
<p>Was the DVD sent a pre-screen? If so, the school would likely have information on the website to communicate whether or not they permit you to sing the same material at the live audition.</p>
<p>If it was a supplement sent to the admissions office, or an unsolicited submission to the program, I would not worry about presenting the same material at the live audition. </p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Last year we did a pre-screen for Texas State University and it was fine for my daughter to use the same material for her live audition.</p>
<p>I just registered in CC tonight and badly need some input on audition songs. D is Soprano and will be auditioning this February and song initially selected are:</p>
<p>Ballad - Another Suitcase in Another Hall (Evita)
Upbeat Tempo - Mama Will Provide (Once on This Island) </p>
<p>Hope to hear from you soon!</p>