It says 32 bars, but I have 16.. ?

[irlandaise890]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 3:04pm

So I have a little dilemma... I, like many other people, have been going on college auditions for the past few months. In order to make my life easier I cut both of my pieces to sixteen bars since each school was different and I knew sixteen would always be acceptable.

However! I just reread the audition guidelines for Emerson and they stated that they want 32 bars of each uptempo and ballad, but you will probably only sing one. Now like I said I have 16 bars of each my uptempo and my ballad, and the two complement each other very nicely. My mother thinks I should recut both of my songs(bad idea IMO since my audition is Saturday and Emerson is my top choice) to be 32 bars. But I think that, since together they are both 32 bars, if I sang both I would still be giving them what they are asking for while showing them two different sides of me as a performer.

I'd just like some opinions- recut the songs to be 32 bars each or just go in with what I have?

[dramatothemax]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 3:12pm

Is it that hard to back up the song a couple measures?

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 3:22pm

It actually is. Depending on the song and how you've cut it, you can end up in a really awkward place. And to get out of that awkward starting place you have to add more measures or subtract them.

I know I wanted to sing Make Them Hear you from Ragtime for an audition and had a HELL of a time cutting it to make it flow.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 3:23pm

It HAS to be 32? One of my schools asked for 32, and my song could only be 16 for me to handle it at all. Find out!

[irlandaise890]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 3:29pm

Good idea Defying Gravity Girl, I think I'll call the department to see. One of my songs is only like 40 measures all together so its really hard to make it 32 without starting in a really strange place. The other one is easy to make thirty two, but I don't feel it showcases enough of me as a performer without my ballad.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 3:59pm

Yeah, check. Some of the time, they aren't picky. My up tempo is only 40 bars, so I just asked if that was OK, and it was. They're usually very understanding.

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 6:09pm

I was curious about that. I have a song that ends with a big held out note in measure 31 and then has three measures of piano part and me holding out that one note. And I didn't know if they would cut me off or not.

[dramatothemax]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 6:13pm

If it's the end of your song and it's a little over 32 they won't cut you off unless they're really big assholes.

I've always been taught to prepare a 32 bar cut AND a 16 bar cut of the same song, plus be prepared to sing the entire thing. It's been very helpful to have both cuts in place, so for future reference, regardless of the criteria, always be prepared with various cuts.

[beyonddizzy31]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 8:17pm

Here's a little secret: 16 bars=30 seconds, 32 bars=one minute. Don't get too crazy about counting exact measures, get a timer and sing a cut. If you run over, shorten it, or take the tempo up a notch. I don't think any of my 16-bar cuts are actually exactly 16 bars.

Most modern musical theatre songs are not written in a style that lends itself to the traditional 16 bar cut. So unless they're total nazis about it, you shouldn't worry.

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 8:24pm

Not for college auditions, but for the future, when you'll be waiting in line for those EPAs and open calls, I'd have an 8 bar cut prepared as well.

[dramatothemax]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 8:29pm

Yeah seriously hahaha

[SarahBeth]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 2:17am

My piece for my audition next week is 35 bars. But it was either that or start in the middle of a phrase. If needed I have another place where I can start though that equals 16, I just really like this part of the song :)