So im looking at potential material at the minute and have read in a couple of books, what shows to avoid rep from... Although I still believe if you can do a song well, do it!

I am a huge Sondheim fan but hear that you should avoid singing a Sondheim piece because it is generally too hard to sight read from an accompanist point of view. Does anyone know if this is true? I'm not a "Belter" as such and his music suits me in chest voice (as well as head) and if I could do one of his pieces, it would be ace, but equally I don't want to chose something that is hard for a pianst to sight read.

Also, is The Girl in 14g a really bad move for an audition piece? I need a comedic, uptempo, contemp piece and this was one of a few I was considering.

Throwing these questions out there in the hope that someone can help me out - Im completely stumped! And TERRIFIED!!!

All info/advice greatly recieved!

xx

I think Sondheim is ok. Most of the top drama schools should have a pianist who can sightread sondheim, or atleast be familiar with his music.

And id stay well clear from Girl in 14g.

One thing I would say is have one modern song in chest voice and another in legit soprano type singing.

If they're providing you with an accompanist, then... y'know, it's *drama* school.... For training musical theatre professionals of the future. I'd be disappointed if they couldn't cope with Sondheim.

I personally think Sondheim, wherever you apply is a clever choice of audition rep. I think people generally avoid him because of the rule "he's too hard to play", but if you can do a piece he's written well then why shouldn't you. He's great for showing of the lyrical voice.

Often at auditions you can take your own pianst with you - if you are really worried it might be worth trying to source one of your own?

I might be wrong but I think Drama Institutions will be advanced enough to cope with a Sondhiem piece so I would say go for it.

The Girl In 14G - Only do it if you know you can hit those big money notes. If you can, it will prove amazing - if not, you will sink

This is a useful book that I have come across. ( there are others like it on the market) The author often gives advice on the discussion boards of The Stage under Training and Tuition.

So You Want to Tread the Boards: The Everything-you-need-to-know, Insider's Guide to a Career in the Performing Arts (Paperback) by Leslie Bricusse (Foreword), Jennifer Reischel (Author)

Good Luck with your auditions.

If it is a good Drama School/Musical Theatre Course, then there would be a big gap in their staffing levels if they did not have an accompanist who could play Sondheim.

Please don't believe everything you hear from rumour and conjecture. If you have
any doubts give them a ring and ask advice.

People generally avoid Sondheim because he is considered difficult to sing, but if you are comfortable and can master his work, then sing out.

Make sure that your two songs contrast well in order to show your range and versatility

I agree excellent book! I had it out of the college library for the whole of last year!!!

I would say though don't take the exclusions list too seriously. I did a song from the list at my audition and got in!

To add on from this, I am in a similar situation - a lyric soprano who has never really belted. Therefore, it would be daft for me to go in with something such as "Life of the Party" or another belty contemp piece. I would be much better going in with something like "How Could I Ever Know?" from "Secret Garden" - still contemp, but more legit. Is this a bad move? I would obviously contrast it with a mezzo/alto piece to show chest voice but I am concerned schools look for "belt"?

To quote from an online discussion back in 1994, from an MD with many experiences of numbing auditions:

Please, please, please, on behalf of those who sit in or play for audition, be creative with your audition selections. Please do not sing:

"You Can Always Count on Me" (City of Angels)
Anything from Les Miz, Phantom, or Miss Saigon
"How Could I Ever Know" (Secret Garden)
"Dance Ten, Looks Three" (Chorus Line) - we are not impressed nor shocked that you can use the words Tits and Ass
"Love Changes Everything" (Aspects)
"Tomorrow" (Annie)
"Soliloquy" (Carousel)
"Memory"

because we have heard them 10,000 times.

Many more tips here, and a whole bunch of what-not-to-sings here.

Wonderful, just what i needed to read!

Another question, as you seem to be a man with much knowledge! Does the era of song matter? For example, I am much more comfortable singing classic MT... should I do a modern piece too, to contrast this or is era not such a huge issue as long as you sing it well?

What does the audition call for? What are you auditioning for? If it's a musical theatre course and you're proving your complete awesomeness as a singer, you'll most likely need two contrasting pieces (a classic up-tempo and a contemporary ballad, or a classic ballad and a contemporary up-tempo), but if it's for a straight acting course and they just want you to present one song so they can see what you're like, then go for ANY song as long as you can completely OWN it.

Correct me if I am wrong all the "West End Wendies" out there- but isn't it the case that belting done incorrectly can cause vocal trauma- so should not be attempted unless you have had some training in singing lessons?

Surely the drama schools are looking for potential and wouldnt expect the auditionees to be able to belt professionally? And wouldnt it depend on which school you are applying to and at what level ? (eg Foundation or Degree or Postgrad) For example I understood that Laines , Arts Ed and Mountview put more emphasis on dancing for their MT auditions whereas GSA is more acting orientated and TCM more singing?

If you mean me, I am indeed a man with much knowledge, but not about auditions. However, I do know where to find the people with much knowledge.

FYI - at GSA you are not allowed to belt at all during your first year on the MT and acting course.

No not really as bald as that, but at Arts Ed, you dance and sing one song first, and then they make a cut, so if you can't show yourself in the first section, you don't get to the acting or the main singing audition or the interview.

As for a suitable Sondheim song for a young girl try Greenfinch and Linnett Bird from Sweeney Todd.

For a Musical Theatre course I would suggest that some competence at singing is expected, in addition to musical potential. That should affect your choice of song to the extent that you shouldn't sing songs that non-singers sing for singing auditions eg You Can Always Count On Me, Luck Be A Lady, Wouldn't It Be Lovely. Choose something that shows off your best notes and your skills eg breath control, high notes, ease with complex lyrics.

Don't avoid Sondheim per se, but avoid the ones with tricky piano parts or that are difficult to keep together eg Last Midnight, Leave You, Epiphany, Miller's Son.

For a straight acting course sing something simple; they may not have a skilled accompanist, or even any accompanist, and they aren't (or shouldn't be) looking for trained singers.

Someone asked about period of song; I'd say it doesn't matter in the slightest, or perhaps it shouldn't matter. Noel Coward, Gilbert & Sullivan, Offenbach, Weill, anything from the American Songbook. My personal preference would avoid anything by Boubil & Schonberg or ALW.

Sing something you enjoy, that you might conceivably be asked to sing in a show, that plays to your strengths.

Don't sing anything that is beyond your reach or that you are too young for.

Good luck!

On this subject can some kind soul help me out....

I'm a legit soprano... (also sing mezzo/alto tho)... basically i can't belt. But I need a contemp musical theatre piece, either ballad or uptempo and im completely stumped!!

HELP!

Adam Guettel is your friend. Just... try and avoid the ones with more complicated accompaniment.

...which is pretty hard as Guettel can be pretty fiendish, but its so good when its right.
One with a pretty difficult accompaniment but that is very worth looking at, even if it doesn't work out right now, is "Dreaming, Wide Awake" by jason Robert Brown, which would also be appropriate as a young singer.

Have a look at some albums by contemporary MT sopranos, such as Audra Mcdonald, Kristen Chenoweth, Victoria Clark, Kelli O'Hara - these may give you some lesser known songs to fall in love with. As a soprano, its worth getting Audra's songbooks for a start.

Ps a LOT of sopranos do Vanilla Ice Cream (She Loves Me), so avoid it unless you know you're going to nail it better than anyone else!

Some of the earlier Sondheim songs should not be too difficult and are quite beautiful. Have a look at two from Evening Primrose - I Remember Snow and Take Me To The World.

And then there is also:
Marry Me A Little
Another Hundred People from Company
Children Will Listen from Into The Woods


Good luck with the audition.

The opening bars of the piano accompaniment to Children Will Listen are almost impossible to sightread; I mean the chords under "What did I clearly say?" etc.

Marry Me A Little and Another Hundred People should be considered core repertoire for audition pianists but they are still hard with many impossible pageturns.

Take Me To The World is absolutely beautiful and a very good audition song.

I think the whole "overdone" thing is taken a little too far nowadays... If you LIKE a song, and can perform it well, whether it is a common piece or not... do it. A friend of mine sang "Still Hurting" for an audition last year... a song you should apparently always avoid.... and got accepted. I think at professional auditions, it is different but for something like Drama School it is more important to showcase what you can do in somehting that suits your voice. I was also speaking to a girl in the states who had auditioned for a college and her feedback (after rejection) was merely that she had chosen songs that she thought would impress the panel rather than what she could do well, and in that respect they prefer the usual common pieces.... Maybe Drama schools like to compare you to something? I don't know... It's an intresting topic.

You should always always ALWAYS choose something you can perform to the very very best of your ability. But if you have two different songs that you completely own, then go for the lesser-known one. Just MAKE SURE YOU OWN IT. Nothing worse than dozens of limp renditions of 'Memory'.

Oh completely... I don't think anyone would ever go in with Memory... or would they? My mate was at an audition and about half the other auditionees sang Think Of Me... Surely they should have chosen something like The Light in the Piazza instead.. I mean we all love Webber... but really?!?!?!

At my auditions last year, people were getting through who sang I dreamed a dream and the likes. Song choice isn't everything.

I was once told:

"It's not WHAT you do, it's HOW you do it"

A very worthy statement. Drama school panels want to see your potential and what you can do - it's your chance to showcase what they could have. For example, if you are a lyrical soprano as someone on here mentioned - go in and do something that showcases your legit sound. Adam Guetel is fantastic for this as he is a contemporary lyrical composer. "The Light in the Piazza", "How Could I Leave You" for example are almost operatic in their arrangement and both would be a fantastic way in which to prove your ability.. However, you must contrast this with a belt or chest piece. Very important to emphaise you are versitle and thus, not a one trick pony. Sondheim has some fantastic chest numbers that don't require an overly heavy belt (if you are uncomfortable or not as skilled in this area). "Ladies who Lunch" for example is a great number and also fab for character portrayal. Bernstein's "I Can Cook Too" is another one that doesnt belt high, and is a particularly good classic, comedic piece. Also consider "Johny One Note", "Long Before I Knew You" and actually, "Never Never Land" (Peter Pan, not Scott Alan!)

At the end of the day, it is your moment. Don't worry about impressing the panel with song CHOICE, worry about about impressing them with your VOICE. It is your instrument and what could, potentially, get you work. THAT is what they want to see. In this respect, I think it is always good to know you casting (someone mentioned this earlier) - if you are not a typical leading lady, make sure you do at least one character piece. Do not, however, base ALL your material/rep on "character" - you must show you can do the typical leading lady stuff as well even if it isn't necessarily your casting. Contrast is the key when it comes to auditions. If you know who you are as a perfomer this shouldnt be too much of an issue.

Contd.

The only thing I would avoid is rep for current West End Musicals. Particularly Wicked, Hairspray, Les Mis, Avenue Q, and if you can, Phantom of the Opera. Epic theatre, yes, but there is so much else out there too, and as beautiful as "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" is... it's not an overly appropriate audition piece in terms of showcasing yourself.

Ok, 2 questions. If you are doing a Sondhiem piece for an audition... Is Adam Guettel too similar to do as well?

hey, I'm auditioning for drama school too and although i'm not applying for musical theatre courses I need to perform a song, i'm not the strongest singer and really have no clue what to look at as I dont want to go with the obvious choices that I know so many others will perform, can you help? I'm really stuck!

Elle x

Elle, what is your range? if you are not a strong singer, i would reccommend going for something mezzo and perhaps a more classical/melodic piece to show basic technique. Rodgers & Hammerstein have some lovely things, as does Kern. Are you looking for a ballad or uptempo? Sondhiem is often tricky but a beautiful number for a lower range is "Anyone Can Whistle" - title song from the show. Stunning number. Youtube as much as you can! The Musical Theatre Anthologies are fantastic for finding material
When I started singing I did numbers such as "A Cock Eyed Optimist" (South Pacific), "A Change in Me" (Beauty & The Beast), "The Song Is You" (Music in the Air), "It Might Aswell Be Spring" (State Fair). Good, classic numbers. If you are applying for an acting course they will simply be looking for a basic understanding, good pitching, and holding a tune.
Good luck!

With regards to song choice, always bear in mind the level of expertise of the pianist. Agreed, all drama schools should have excellent pianists for the auditions, but this isn't always the case and all ADAM GUETTEL and most JASON ROBERT BROWN pieces have very intricate and demanding accompaniments. Occasionally the pianist will also be a panellist so you would want to avoid giving them anything which would take too much of their attention away from your performance.

I've just been googling audition song choices with regards to this thread.... A lot of info on various forums but be careful what you read as rules differ in the states (where a lot of the forums seem to be based). They seem a lot harsher on audition choice... I was talking to a good friend of mine who auditioned 2 years ago in London with rep she thought would benefit her as it wasnt the "usual", failed to get in but went back the next year with guns a blazing with more "common" material in hand and was offered an immediate place. She questioned the school with regards to their decision first time and they admited they prefered to hear material they knew - possibly so they can compare you to something - afterall they are looking for industry professionals who can walk into an audition even with a super overdone song and blow you away! Thus, chose something you like and are comfortable with... Only thing I would say is avoid current West End shows, and don't try something that it too "young" As they say, you can make someone look older onstage but not necessarily younger...

As a pianst, Sondhiem is hard but not impossible... some of his arrangements are easy, others, not so much. Be careful, but don't rule him out. He is fabulous for audition purposes. Guettell is pretty challenging though - Myths and Hymns is hard, watch that one. JRB is ok but give us some Menken anyday! (There's a good contemporary one for you!)

Can someone help me with this too...

For a postgrad audition, should you sing songs you could potentially be cast as? Cos a lot of my decent rep - I would never really be cast as in the professional world?

I don't think the fact that it's for a postgrad course should make any difference. I'd think about finding some songs that you could realistically sing in a show. Otherwise you're saying "I've got a lovely voice and I'm very musical and imaginative but ultimately unemployable." which probably will mean you don't get the place.

I'm now intrigued as to what your rep consists of - and what your voice sounds like!

Haha, well, i'm a high soprano (more classical than belt) but I'm no slim jim, put it that way, and i'm tall... well over 5ft 7 which I understand is the max height for leading ladies... so I am the typical character actress but I feel I can't go in and sing 2 or 3 completely character based songs... My rep consists of R&H, Bernstein, Kern, Lerner and Loewe... oh and a lot of Sondheim!

So... you sound like Joanna but look like Mrs Lovett? OK, that's an interesting dilemma. What about the horrid woman from Mary Poppins; is Brimstone and Treacle published? I'd love the WOS regulars to make their suggestions...

As an aside: how tall is Julie Alanah Brighten?

Spotlight says 5'7"

You sound exactly like me, Guest!

Our rep is also very similar! How odd, but nice!

I am in a slightly similar predicament (so I'm pleased I discovered this thread!) For your audition I would just do songs that show you off and that you like... Don't do anything cute or young! Mister Snow (Carrie - Carousel) would probably be a good one for you? Especially if you say you do R&H? Anita's role in West Side Story is also a potenital? Have you looked into more Operatic rep? Glitter & Be Gay (Candide) is fab if you have those notes? Remember to do some chest material also! I love Elegies for most chest based stuff

Guys,

As we're on the subject of auditions. Have you heard about "Voice of tomorrow" ? It looks fantastic.

I believe auditions are coming soon and it looks like a brilliant opportunity. I have just applied on the website: www.voiceoftomorrow.org.uk. Thought I'd let you know, as it is audition time for drama schools e.t.c

Let me know what you think?

Please read the application carefully before you part with any money for "Voice Of Tomorrow" as there was a lot of controversy about this last year, with a whole furum devoted to it on Dress Circle.

This year it has been taken over by new management.

Dress circle is now supporting them. So I trust this will be worthwhile.

cheers

I was going to start a new thread regarding Drama Schools but figure this was near good enough.

I was wondering what people's thoughts were on studying postgrad Musical Theatre at CSSD? I hear its wonderful for acting but not so much MT. I often hear best places for MT - RAM, GSA, Mountview. What are people's thoughts?

Read this online regarding the school: http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.p...drama-ma-acting
Not overly sure what to make of it.....

I am in need of some help!
Got an audition for Mountview soon for the MT course.

Have no idea what songs to choose

I consider myself to be a very strong singer and I have a good range.
However, Im not great at picking songs - hence my flop at my Arts Ed audition

Any advice? Song suggestions?

MUCH APPRECIATED!!
X

So what makes you think your choice of song made you flop in your audution?

You can't blame song choice. A girl at my audition got through and they sang I Dreamed a Dream.

If you are what they are looking for, you will get in.

If you sing a well known song and completely knock it out the park and the panel like you, it won't hurt your chances.

You are quite right Mark.This business of not singing certain songs or having to sing a Sondheim is B... S....
I have sat in on thousands of auditions and if a well known song is sung in a knockout fashion, then the candidate gets through. Who cares if the panel have heard it before? They don't!

When I used to read the forms afterwards, I could see that song choice made not an iota of difference to the overall score.... unless... it was the wrong song for that person. ie a young person singing a song mean't for an older person, in which case they were asked if they had another song or it had been prepared in the wrong key, but many times I have seen the MD taking the audition ask a candidate if they would sing it again in a lower/higher key. The accompanists at these auditions are quite capable of changing the key on sight. So the lesson there is to take three or four songs you are comfortable with.

I have heard claims that some colleges will not accept certain songs. As my experience is only of two colleges, I have to ask - if they are so narrow minded as to ban certain songs, do you really want to go to that college at all, as you will audition for everything going when you finish your course.

Because the songs were from well known musicals - even though I performed them really well. The pianist even said to me before he started playing, you shouldn't have chosen these two because I don't think he thought I could do them, until I opened my mouth and started singing! I have talked to other people who have auditioned and they said that schools generally go for songs from older musicals and not ones that are currently around. I'm finding hunting for songs hard because I find that the older musicals are harder to find for the sheet music in the correct key. Plus - I still have no idea what kind of older musicals/songs to go for.

If you feel you sang them really well, then maybe it was another part of the audition you pipped.
What did you sing?
Did you get through the cut and go on to the afternoon session?

I thought it was more a matter of showing that someone's making an effort. It's like making spelling mistakes in a cover letter for a job application: it doesn't show that you're unsuitable for the position but it does show you don't care enough to check for errors, which means that right from the start you're at a disadvantage compared with the people who have been more careful.

If you turn up to an audition and sing Memory it doesn't mean you'll be rejected out of hand, but I find it hard to believe that someone who can't be arsed to look for something less overdone will be given the same consideration as someone who has clearly worked hard to find something different.

In the end it is about performance and whether that person is capable of improving during the course.

Hello!

Im thinking of singing Somewhere Thats Green (Little Shop of Horrors) as one of my choices for an upcoming audition for a Drama/Musical Theatre course. Is that suitable? I mean, I can sing it very well both in and out of Audrey's character but what version would they want to hear?

Also, what songs would contrast this one nicely? Im trying to get hold of something quite bold and strong ... would that make a nice contrast? (Especially if I can get some good strong notes out of it?)

Im open to criticism/comments/suggestions/help!!

Thank you!