Art songs???

[BroadwayDreams2]

Posted: 9/1/04 at 6:08pm

I have to audition for college very soon. Theres just one problem. The one college I want to get into says I need 2 art songs to sing along with two musical theatre songs and a monologue. this may seem like a silly question, but what are art songs? I've never taken voice lessons or anything so how do I prepare an 'art song' for my audition once I find out what they are?

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 9/1/04 at 6:13pm

Art songs are classical selections that are not from operas.
My personal staple art song is "Alma del Corre"
Hope that helps

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 9/1/04 at 10:06pm

DON'T DO ALMA DEL CORE!
I did it for a conservatory exam, but I would never do it at an audition.
THEY'VE ALL HEARD IT, SEVERAL TIMES. At one of my university auditions, there were 6 girls in one hour singing it. Not good.
Also try to stay away from the standard Schubert lieder. There are some that aren't as well known and those are worth doing. I would say to look for Schumann and Strauss, perhaps Delibes, and it's always good to have a Brahms piece too.

*edit* I might as well give you some actual song suggestions....
Mai- Faure
O wusst ich doch den Weg zuruck- Brahms
Sure on this shining night- Barber
Love's Philosophy- Quilter
Lachen unt Weinen- Schubert (if you're really stuck and need a short piece)
The Mermaid's Song- Haydn
Jour Passes- Delibes

Remember to pick songs with varied tempos and styles. Good luck! Updated On: 9/1/04 at 10:06 PM

[shesings]

Posted: 9/1/04 at 10:19pm

Alma Del Corre is a very "used" song - but I think if you can do it really well and you feel most comfortable with that then sing it. If there is something else you feel good doing try it, since it might not be so overdone. There is a book called "The Art Song" check that out. It can give you many options.

[Barihunk]

Posted: 9/3/04 at 11:29am

Broadway Dreams?
What is your voice type? With what languages are you familiar/comfortable? These are important things to know. If this is a university audition, I would not worry about doing things that are "overused". Faculty members are not there to be entertained. You are not auditioning for a gig, you are auditioning, in effect, to pay them! And they are being paid to listen to you, so if they hear 6 Alma del Cores in a row - too bad! If they are asking for 2 art songs they clearly just want to see the state of your vocal technique and diction. My advice would be this:
1) Pick something you are familiar with if possible.
2) Do not sing something just because someone recommended it. Sing it because it appeals to you.
3) If you do not know a foreign language and you do not have anyone experienced to help you, sing something in English. There are plenty of English art songs.
Any university knows that not everyone in high school has the same level of experience. It is their job to teach you. They want to get a good sense of where you are and your potential for future growth. Do not over reach just to impress. Do what you do best. Don't sweat it. You'll be fine.

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 9/3/04 at 11:43am

Still, if examiners hear 6 Almas in a row, it is only natural to compare one to the other, and everyone will not be at the same level coming out of highschool.
Also, it is their job to educate- but you have to show major potential if you don't exceed their standards. University isn't easy to get into, especially when you have to audition, which is why choosing something that shows your knowledge of music (i.e. something a little different than Alma that shows you know how to do your research), and doing it well, is of great importance.

[Barihunk]

Posted: 9/3/04 at 12:07pm

Judy

While clearly you are very knowledgeable of the art song (and have no problem displaying it) not everyone is blessed with this is exposure especially in a high school. BroadwayDreams already indicated that he/she has no idea what an art song is nor have they taken a voice lesson. They would not know Faure, Delibes, or Brahms from Mahler, Hahn, or Walton. He/she was asking for help, not a display of your Art Song 101 knowledge.
Also, in most University auditions, adjudicators will have the audtionee pick their first selection and they the second. If they are tired of hearing Alma, they don't have to pick it.
While University may be difficult to get into, it is by no means impossible and has very little to do with displaying esoteric knowlege of the art song. It is about talent first and formost.
For the record, I was accepted at Indiana University on scholarship singing Handel's "Where E're you walk" and "Caro mio ben", pretty run of the mill so I take issue with your claim that picking an obscure art song is of great importance.

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 9/3/04 at 12:34pm

Bottom line Broadway:

You are auditioning for a musical theater program (if you were auditioing for vocal performance, you wouldn't be singing MT).

Since you are a MT performer, schools are not going to penalize you for not being the best Wagner singer possible. What they want to see is: 1) That you know other styles of music besides RENT 2) you have the ability to learn something outside your field of expertise 3) that you have the kind of voice that can grow with their classical voice training the school offers. Think Kristen Chenoweth..she crosses both fields beautifully.

If you are lucky enough to be auditioning for such wonderful MT programs like Oklahoma City University or NYU's Steinhardt that require art songs (but I think they only want one), just make sure you have worked on it for several weeks before the audition and you have it down.