Lost in the Brass was one of my daughter’s audition songs. Once she picked it, her coach wouldn’t give it to anyone else. She chose it because we were at the very first performance of Band Geeks at Goodspeed’s Norma Terris Theatre, so she felt a real connection with it. Had no idea others would choose it, as it’s pretty obscure. Or so we thought. Fortunately, it didn’t prevent her from getting some decent acceptances and winding up in a place she’s pretty happy to be - Point Park University COPA BFA MT.
Congratulations to your daughter!
I’m laughing reading this - My D used Lost in the Brass her year (2013) & most people had never heard the song at that time. Tommy Newman is on staff at Troy University and they did a performance at one of our local theaters in the spring of D’s junior year in HS that we saw. She later got to sing it for him at a masterclass - great fun! But since licensing has been available for a while now, I think a lot of smaller theaters may be doing it? I know a different one here did it last year. It has lots of great teen characters & songs - it’s a cute show.
Another perspective on the ‘overdone’ song… When we were at the NYU Tisch Tour and Info session my S actually asked the Director of Admissions if, in his opinion, there was such a thing as overdone songs, and if so, should they avoid doing them at auditions. He said that yes, there were songs that they heard more often, but if you truly believe that you perform that perceived ‘overdone’ song well, and it shows off your strengths as a performer, then please do not let any lists, or other people’s views, put you off of doing it. They want to see you do what you love, and what you think you are good at, and not what someone else may think would be a better choice for you because it is less well known, for example.
Hey, well if anyone wants a suggestion for an underdone legit style girl’s song, I love “Mira” from Carnival! My D says she hates it and I don’t even understand how she could dislike it… sheesh. 
Had a the director of a college Musical Theater BFA program say PLEASE no Pulled from the Adams Family or Screw Loose from Cry Baby. Personally if I don’t hear Pulled again I would be fine. Saw it five times in a twenty girl grouping at a District theater competition. Screw Loose is just awful. Sorry being all judgy today apparently
Hi everyone! Just thought I’d bring this thread back since audition season is drawing to a close. Any newly overdone material this year? What were you hearing multiple times through the door?
My D says she heard a lot of “Hold On” from Secret Garden and “All Grown Up” from Bare.
I heard Gimme Gimme was pretty popular for girls. I heard a few guys sing I’d Rather Be Sailing from A New Brain. Try Me from She Loves Me was also popular I’d say.
I heard “Fly Into the Future” probably 5 or 6 times through the doors at NYC Unifieds!
I heard Astonishing, Fly Fly Away and If I Loved You more than a few times.
I cant believe people still sing Astonishing. Literally, if you look up “overdone audition songs”, it’s always there. I feel like some people think they can get away with Pulled/Gimme Gimme thinking it’s not overdone.
I heard a lot of people using “Killer Instinct” from Bring It On. But that doesn’t detract from the fact that these songs are overused because they’re great songs to use!! If you can KILL one of these songs, I’ve been told that you should by all means use it. I use Sailing sometimes and I’ve gotten really great feedback from it. If it’s not your best, don’t use it, but you shouldn’t worry about being compared with these songs. There’s nothing you can do to avoid that.
My S has a list of third songs if necessary and was told never to do a Disney song, but 3 times now he has been asked to perform a song from his Junior year Disney musical when he gives auditors a list of things to choose.
@MomofMTBoy just curious, what was the song/musical?
@MomofMTBoy I’m just guessing that the auditors see your son playing some specific roles(s) in a Disney show and want to see him perform that type of song. That’s a good thing!
I also saw a ton of “Fight the Dragons” from Big Fish. At least four people I know of.
A note on JMU’s website has a specific list of songs that are generally overdone and that they don’t want to see. Laughed out loud when I read the last line is “or anything from Spring Awakening”
These are the songs that I noticed a lot this year.
Live out loud
Breathe
Before it’s over
Everything I know (especially if you are not ethnic)
Watch what happens
Vanilla Ice Cream
Will he like me
When it all comes down
Fight the Dragon
Even though
Lost in the brass
Is it really me
Simple Little Things
Johnny One Note
Fly into the future
~VT
@VoiceTeacher thank you so much! This is super helpful. I promise not to send any students to audition for you singing any of these songs in the next couple of years!