Do not use list for auditions

<p>Come to Your Senses may becoming more popular. My D suggested it to another girl from our region and she used it and got into Ithaca and Emerson and is at Emerson. It's a good song and I don't know that it is overused yet for college auditions. I think it is OK to do a song that others may ALSO sing as long as it is not the most common or overused song that LOTS will be singing. Just make it your own. It need not be the MOST UNIQUE song that they have never heard. Your audition is based on your talent, not necessarily which song you picked (though it should showcase your talent well and be a good choice in that respect). The choice will only be possibly frowned upon if it is just so overused or common to appear as if you are not aware of the repertoire that is out there (ie, if you were to use On My Own, or Defying Gravity). I'm not counting if the material is not a good choice for YOU, but simply the issue of its common or uniqueness.</p>

<p>Susan</p>

<p>Any ideas for songs that a Tenor 2 male can use for an audition to college?</p>

<p>So, I have another question (I know, I ask too many, but hey...I'm a generlly confused girl!). See, I went to my NYU audition with Life of the Party and it didn't seem like they liked it too much...I dunno. My opinion, but they looked at me like I was singing a Britney Spears song or something. Well, anyways, I figure, as much as I love it, it's not appropriate for college auditions and now I have to find another song (up-tempo), and know it perfectly by next month. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm a soprano who can sing legit and belt.
And I had another question. I want to do "Anne Frank" for my monologue-is it overdone?</p>

<p>Hyperleo...I can't suggest songs or monologues for you as I don't know you or your type or skills. Do you have a voice or acting coach who can help? </p>

<p>Life of the Party is a great song. My own kid has performed it, but it is too common for college auditions. Can you find another song that is similar if that song shows you real well? It could be by the same composer or even from the same musical. There are songs out there by others that are that type, as well. You say you are a soprano, however, and I don't really think of that song as one a soprano singer might normally pick. My D is not a soprano and that song is more her type. But anyway, try to do one legit soprano ballad and one upbeat belt song (given what you said you can do in your post). </p>

<p>Anne Frank also seems just overused and common. Can you search for more monologues that are of this type for young women? </p>

<p>Susan</p>

<p>Hey - I wouldn't be so sure they didn't like you. Yes, LOTP is a common song, but it's one of my personal favorites! If you did it well, I don't think it would count against you too much. Also, my d received NO positive feedback and was SURE she didn't get into NYU, and she did. So don't give up hope! :)</p>

<p>definitely don't assume that they didn't like you. here's why:</p>

<p>for my NYU audition, i sang "green finch and linnet bird"....my adjudicator said "you've never had voice lessons, have you?". i was really upset by this, because not only was my resume right in front of her listing my voice lessons and master classes, i had worked so hard on that song and my voice in general.</p>

<p>i was waitlisted. granted, i wasn't accepted, but i was very proud of myself for even getting waitlisted, especially after such a weird comment from the adjudicator.</p>

<p>moral of the story: don't try to figure out what the adjudicators are thinking, because it just doesn't work and you stress yourself out needlessly in the process!!</p>

<p>Okay I need specific advice. My voice teacher and I have been working really hard on songs for CCM, and we came up with some choices that go against some CCM rules. Whats ur opinion on...</p>

<p>UPTEMPO: Everybody Says Dont from Anyone Can Whistle (patter song, 1964, Stephen Sondheim- supposidly its not TOO hard to play, since its the same three cords over and over in an easy to follow rhythm. Patter songs are kind of my forte, so if I dont do this, I'll probably end up doing She Likes Basketball from Promises Promises). </p>

<p>BALLAD: What More Can I Say from Falsettos (1980's/1990's, William Finn)... its the only solid modern ballad I have that isnt by Sondheim or Wildhorn. </p>

<p>I'm just having a really hard time finding good solid material in my range(even after looking through endless classic gershwin, ahrlen, rodgers and hart, and rodger and hammerstein books). My highest note is an E, and it seems like all material for men pre-1945 always has an F you just cant do the song without. Any reccomendations?</p>

<p>drum87 - If you're auditioning for CCM whatever you do, DO NOT go against their recommendations. They will immediately cross you off for not following directions. Keep looking! I wish I could help you with some selections, but there are some wonderful people here who may be able to.</p>

<p>I was in a break out session at a conference led by Aubrey Berg, head of CCMs MT program. He was very clear that if you do not follow their instructions about audition material, you will not be considered - no matter how good your audition is. When pressed for exceptions - he said that there are none! I was very surprised.</p>

<p>If you applied to a school that required an essay, and you chose not to do one, would you expect to be considered? If you opted not to take ACT's/SAT's, would you expect colleges to overlook that? Requirements are requirements - not suggestions.</p>

<p>CCM's website and materials have a specific "DO NOT USE" list. If you don't follow this, it could say a couple of things..... 1) didn't read the material provided, 2) rules don't apply to me, 3) don't know enough repertoire to avoid the list. Any of these reasons would demonstrate a potential "non-fit" with the program.</p>

<p>the song I was considering doesnt fall into the "do not use" list, unless you count the friendly suggestions they gave (which I'm taking and opting out of the song).</p>

<p>Any suggestions on old-er shows (pre 1960) with strong male baritone uptempo songs?</p>

<p>And thanks for the advice. I would have never known the severity of punishment for singing a hard to play song at CCM.</p>

<p>drum, I'd see if you can get ahold of a compilation of Cole Porter recordings. I can't recommend any specifically, not knowing your voice quality, but there are quite a few funny uptempos from him.</p>

<p>alright. thanks!</p>

<p>drum87</p>

<p>My son thinks you could try They Say It's Wonderful or The Girl that I Marry from Annie Get Your Gun - he believes they only go to a D or E. An older character song, but beautiful, is Arvide's More I Cannot Wish You from Guys and Dolls, it definitely does not go to an F. You might also try some of Sky's songs from the same show, perhaps even Luck Be a Lady, for an uptempo. These are all somewhat traditional MT songs (although not R&H) and a good way to go sometimes if you're straying a bit on your uptempo. One that is a ballad and slightly different is Neville's part of Lily's Eyes. To that end, you might want to investigate whether or not Marvin's What More Can I Say is really appropriate. It's definitely different, and a role that requires a fair amount of maturity from the actor - beautiful song, though.You may want to check out Stageagent on the web for other ideas. It gives high and low notes on roles. It's usually accurate, but not always. You might want to confirm what they show w/ your teacher. By all means, as others have posted, if a school makes the effort to give certain guidelines for an audition, you should make every effort to abide. Remember you want to enter the process (or playing field, as I like to call it) with as few distractions for all so that all of those judging you can give you their proper attention. My son had a very good conversation w/ folks from one school in the summer before auditions even began. They did not hesitate to steer him clear of certain songs. He loves doing them, acts them well, but they're not considered appropriate for an audition. So he's not using them unless he gets further into his repertoire during an audition and they ask him to do something extra, and then only if they say they want to specifically hear that song. Sorry to be so long-winded, hope it helps. Good Luck!</p>

<p>Drum87,</p>

<p>Look at Irving Berlin, too.</p>

<p>Would these suggestions also be appropriate for a Tenor Two?</p>

<p>Vikkie,</p>

<p>I would think so - or for someone considered a 'baritenor' nowadays.<br>
My son is technically a baritone, but sings tenor two for certain choirs, and his range goes to an F# - he's familiar with or has done the songs I mentioned.</p>

<p>That helps us a lot. My S's voice teacher is wonderful, but not as familiar with the range of musical numbers available, so this really helps us. I am so grateful for your help.</p>

<p>Any responses to singing, Why God Why? from Ms. Saigon?</p>