Age appropriate (lesser known) songs for teen girl

Hi Everyone,

My 16 year old daughter has been told twice recently that she needs to put together and work on some age appropriate songs to use for auditions. She really needs to gather a group of songs that she can use for both summer university musical theatre intensive auditions and next year for college auditions.

She is a mezzo soprano and is looking for some lesser known character songs, ballads, songs that will show her voice off in the best way (and also be age appropriate). Any suggestions would be very appreciated!!

Thanks for your reply! Funny thing is that Someone Like You is the latest song that she was told was not age appropriate. Its getting frustrating. Im thinking that I should dig up some songs from shows in the 1930-1960 time period. Lesser known and perhaps more age neutral.

"Cute Boys with Short Haircuts" from Vanities is a great audition song for a teenage girl and, from my knowledge, hardly used.

Oh, and that song from Beauty and The Beast that isn't on the original cast album. "There's Been A Change in Me"

I saw "lamest place in the world" but what it means to be a friend is less know

There is a song called "Don't Call Me Trailer Trash (I live in a mobile home)" that might not necessarily be age appropriate, since technically the character would be in her 20's, but it is a great character piece.

Stay away from Les Mis for any and all college auditions.

Maybe go old school..."But not for me" not obscure, but I guarantee not many teens will be singing it.

"My New Philosophy" if she is more belty...


I would assume by "Age appropriate" they aren't necessarily saying the "character" needs to be a teen...just not blatantly an adult...I could see them being off-put by "Someone Like You" purely because Lucy is a prostitute, but it is narrow minded.

Another question would be how young does your daughter look? If she is a mature kid, but really really looks young, that could be another issue as to why she is getting these comments.

Also go to a local music store and find the Mezzo "The Singer's Musical Theater Anthology" there are numerous volumes and always have a great range of popular and obscure.

---

Most of the songs mentioned in this thread are very much overdone. But keep in mind, as long as something isn't eye-rolling-ly overdone (like "On My Own") and she does it like no one else can, it really doesn't matter.

Also keep in mind that the Singer's Anthologies do have a bunch of great songs, but almost every singing teacher in the country has them.

Thank you both so much! Great advise and I will definitely look up the folks you mentioned!

I'm Not Alone - Carrie
Fly Into The Future - Vanities
On My Way - Violet
Perfect - Edges

---

For some reason I've been thinking on this. Cy Coleman wrote, with various lyricists, a bunch of kind of rah-rah songs, several of which are standards to some degree. All are peppy, bright and up.

Hey, Look Me Over - Wildcat
Pass Me By - Father Goose (a movie)
I'm a Brass Band - Sweet Charity
Its Not Where You Start - Seesaw
Hey There, Good Times - I Love My Wife

---

She should do My Funny Valentine,but the Alice Frendham version it's different and will set her apart from everyone.