<p>Is it important to have, say, multiple ballads before you go into auditions? I mean, isn't it more beneficial to pick one ballad (and uptempo and comedic monologue and dramatic monologue and such) so that you can really work on them and have one perfected for auditions? Or should you have, say, 5 ballads ready to go? What's the benefit of having multiples of the same thing? If you can find one perfect ballad that you do brilliantly and you act beautifully and you know it by heart, isn't that better?</p>
<p>Just something i've been wondering as I look ahead in the process.</p>
<p>You never know when you may be asked to sing another song or do an additional monolog. It happens with a degree of frequency. Have at least 2 of each type of song and 2 of each type of monolog audition ready.</p>
<p>MNK is right. Have at LEAST 2 of each genre that you are ready to go with. My daughter was asked at several of her auditions what other songs she had with her- she listed them and they picked what they wanted to hear. I believe she had about 5 of each with her. Same goes for monologs, although I believe she only had 2 of each genre with her.</p>
<p>You may end up at an audition where 3 people in front of you ALL DO YOUR TOP 2 SONGS! At that point you will really be glad that you have something else ready to go.</p>
<p>If you read through the past threads on auditioning you will find lots of useful information and first-person accounts of what happens. Not only do some adjudicators like to ask, “do you have something else that you can sing?” some panels may ask you to do lines from a production that you have listed in your resume or do a song in a different style. </p>
<p>Also, some MT programs are Bachelor of Music, and they will require that you perform one or two songs from the classical repertory (Oklahoma City University, Florida State, etc.) in addition to two MT pieces. It pays to have a broad background and do extensive preparation if you want to maximize all your options (some people are not interested in BM programs but you may find that one of those programs interests you or may be a really good fit). </p>
<p>“Cross-training” also helps avoid “lock-in” where you cease improving because you “over-rehearse.” It is more work, but it pays off in the end.</p>
<p>That said, whatever you do, make sure you do it very, very well.</p>
<p>Yes to everything above. Also, be sure your selections contrast in style and era. For example, if you have sung a JRB ballad, make sure for other ballad is something written prior to 1970.</p>