<p>I think there was a post about this once before but I can't find it. My D is working with a coach who gave her a song from 1965. How strict is PSU on their "pre 1960" music. My D's coach seems to think it doesn't matter as long as it is the style of that era but I think I remember people saying it was a bad idea. Does anyone know this answer from somewho who actually sits in on auditions vs. rumors. It would be REALLY helpful to know if we need to be looking at different music for that school since it is one at the top of her list.
Any help would be really appreciated.</p>
<p>I can't prove this but only give you advice. I would STRICTLY adhere to the pre-1960 (or whatever other date) or rule or guideline or restriction is given. While it may sound "logical" that a song from that general era is the intent, the fact is that they have STATED what they want. They have LOTS and LOTS of talented kids to pick from. Why get knocked out of the running for showing that you can't follow the stated guidelines for the audition? That reveals a negative. I recall when my kid auditioned, she surely kept to the limits given, be it the date or number of bars or length. She auditioned for PSU and got in and I recall she found many songs from around 1965 but they wanted pre-1960 and so she kept looking in order to follow the rules. Without asking any program director if they'd take a kid who did not keep in that time period, you have no way to know if it would make a difference and therefore, I suggest to adhere to the guidelines in order to demonstrate that you can. They would not have a guideline if they didn't care about it.</p>
<p>I agree with Soozievt. Yes, there are kids who disregard the rules and still get in. But what a chance to take when chances are so small with these MT schools, and it is particularly easy to just eliminate those who just can't follow directions. In my experience, those who get away with not following guidelines are ever so special that they have no concerns in doing so, and truly blow everyone away. From the talent I saw during my son's auditions, that is going to be tough to do. THere are very, very few kids who can break the rules and the guidelines and get away with it. IT is a risk. Most of us make mistakes, have bad breaks during this process. It is inevitable. Why deliberately do something that against guidelines?</p>
<p>Also, when you say as long as it is the "style of that era"....the school is not necessarily looking only for songs around 1960 (in which case, 1965 is pretty close) but rather any era prior to that year. My D's song for this requirement was from 1947. I really encourage your D to listen to and familiarize herself with lots of pre-1960 music and not just rely on songs her voice teacher gives her. Obviously, a voice teacher may have great suggestions but I think the bulk of finding songs should be on the student because it is to THEIR benefit to be very familiiar with the MT body of work that is out there. BE a student of MT and KNOW songs from all the eras. My kid found her own songs and her knowledge of the body of MT repertoire that exists is vast and is an advantage. So, while the song from 1965 might be good, and she could use it for other schools, your D ought not to use it for the PRE-1960 requirement itself and there is LOTS out there from before 1960 and it just means going through musicals and songs from those decades (you can listen to clips on Amazon or ITunes).</p>
<p>Pohsmom,
I sent you a pm.</p>
<p>Stick to the rules. They are very nice at PSU (REALLY NICE) but why take the chance?</p>
<p>This question tooo, tooo easy. Do what you are asked to do. It is as easy as following the directions you are given. Those auditioning you have a reason for asking whatever they ask of you. You do yourself the greatest service to follow their instructions.</p>
<p>Best way to find out?
Call them. I had a few questions about monologue standards and i asked and was able to do what i wanted.</p>