Rules about Audition Pieces?

[ohjustjake]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 10:28pm

Okay, so I'm auditioning for Musical Theatre as a transfer, and most of the requirements say 16 bars of a ballad and 32 of an upbeat song.

Now my question is, would it be a bad idea to use a duet as the ballad - I want to sing "Take Me As I Am" from Jekyll and Hyde, and just sing from the beginning to right before Emily or Lucy or whatever her name is sings. It's exactly 16 bars. I don't see why that would be a problem but you never know.

Now, for my fast song, I wanted to do "Passover" from Elegies. My worry about it is that it is usually performed by a woman, but nothing in the song refers to it being sung by a woman. And all of Elegies songs are from William Finns past, so isn't it really his memory the song is about? I'm just worried that the schools might not be happy that I chose a "female" song to see, although it isn't designated as one.

Help?

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 11:24pm

I doubt they would mind a duet. I don't know for sure, but I don't see why that doesn't fit the requirements.

I understand your second question completely. For some reason, I just always like female songs better than the male ones. They just is better material for women out there, in my opinion. However, if its generally sung by a female, I think you should probably stay away from it. Auditioners seem to want males to stick to strictly male songs and vice versa. Not for college, but I even got a note on singing one of the Narrator's songs from Joseph.

[erineloise]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 1:27am

For almost any audition stay away from Frank Wildhorn. Just another rule of thumb. Of course like I said in another thread there are always exceptions. And ALWAYS try to stay with the right gender when singing for an audition. They want to see you in something that they could cast you in that day.

Also, you want to stay away from "story songs". You want to have a pursuable objective while you are singing. This is another thing that directors of the programs will look for. Don't tell us a story, get what you want!

You also probably want an older piece. Both of those are too recent. Have one contemporary and one classic. There are a TON of things you can find. You just have to know where to look. A lot of Kurt Weil is great and rarely done anymore. Show them your range and what you can do. Don't box yourself in!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 5:17am

Civil War is probably the only Wildhorn show I would say is ok to audition with for college, although "Tell my father" also seems to be a popular choice.

I concur with the poster above.

[ohjustjake]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 3:12pm

Erinelouise - oh yeah, thank you for reminding me. I completely forgot about how most schools don't want to here Wildhorn, along with Sondheim and JRB. I think for my ballad, I'll sing "Her Face" from Carnival instead, and I'll just have to think a little harder about a upbeat piece. Thanks everyone.

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 5:05pm

Wait, why don't schools like to hear Wildhorn?

[Juliash]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 6:27pm

A lot of people don't think he's legit. I just took a masterclass with the director of Opera and Music theater at OCU and this poor girl (who was like 13 and I think really nervous) sang "When I look at You" from Scarlet Pimpernel, and he went on a 10 minute long rant about how she should take it out of her rep. because all his music just rambles on and there's no emotional resolution in any of his songs and no hummable tune. I like some Wildhorn, but I see how a lot of people find it to be too schlocky.

Plus, the vast majority just isn't that challenging and I personally don't think it shows off a lot about your voice...

[Weez]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 7:15pm

If you can find a Wildhorn piece that's suitably challenging and you can totally knock out of the park, and if you're a good talker, then why not prepare one anyway? I believe schools want you to be ready to talk about your audition pieces if they ask, right? Could be fun to frighten them with Wildhorn, then cow them into submission with your brilliant explanation of why it's a perfect audition piece.

You would need the right piece, some serious cojones, and a silver tongue to pull it off though. XD

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 7:34pm

Wildhorn is probably one of my favorite composer. And Jekyll and Hyde is my favorite musical. Period.

Man!

[ohjustjake]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 8:03pm

I agree - I love Jekyll and I think most of the music is brilliant. But I also agree on how it's not very challenging at all.

[erineloise]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 12:43am

Like I said, there are always exceptions for certain things. I know one guy who can sing "Maria" and have every single person weeping in 16 bars, so that for instance would be one.

It would be fun to be cast in a Wildhorn show, but first you have to show them how talented you are with other things first, and the best way to do that would be to do something really classical as far at MT standards go. If you can pull off a brilliant classic and contemporary piece you are in good shoes.