summer in ohio

[kitkatgirl54]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 12:15am

is it playable for an accompanyist at an audition?

(spare me that it is overused :) )

[Bwaybaby109]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 12:23am

Actually according to Dave Clemmons, Jason Rober Brown music is overused at all. Many people like to hear it at auditions. I don't think it's extremely hard to sightread so I say got for it.

[matthius202]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 12:32am

it's not bad...my friend does a cut from that song, starting at...I saw your book at a Borders in Kentucky....and it's PERFECT...and very playable. she stops after "i finally got something right!!!"...it's fantastic

[kitkatgirl54]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 1:33am

thank you guys for your support on the song -- i want to do it b/c i have a good handle on the narrative but the song would be considered to be fairly difficult, vocally for an audition, no?

thanks guys!

[bjivie2]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 4:23am

AH! What are you all saying?! NO! Basically any Jason Robert Brown song is a no-no for auditions. Summer in Ohio is not a good one to bring, especially. If you know the accompanist or can meet with them before the audition, then go ahead. But if you're just going in and handing him your music and starting, stay away from this song and (basically) any other Jason Robert Brown song. For this song, the chords are difficult jazz chords and can easily be screwed up, and the last thing you want is a confused piano player.

[Bwaybaby109]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 8:28am

I used Part of That and Stars and the Moon from Songs for a New World last year at SETC and the accompanist played it well and I got call backs, and Dave was impressed that I used a Jason Robert Brown song. You never know who likes it or doesn't.

[kitkatgirl54]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 11:44am

i agree. personally the part doesn't seem that difficult to me ... seems like an accompanyist SHOULD be able to do it ... it's not like it's sondheim (which would be a far worse idea in my opinion as far as coordination between myself and the pianist) - but any other opinions? anyone actually used it -?

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 11:47am

Other than possible overexposure, there's no reason not to do a Jason Robert Brown song for auditions. Most accompanists in this city can certainly handle it. I mean...it's not like they play with their elbows. Their professionals and are VERY good at what they do.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 1:09pm

I have a hard time playing 'Songs for a New World' moreso than 'Last Five Years' and I've been playing for twelve years now. So, I'd say L5Y should be okay for sightreading. Besides, I'm sure they've been playing through it a lot lately anyway.

[Justice]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 1:19pm

In the PArade Vocal Selections, Brown writes a letter about the music, stating that people should be familiar with the music before playing it - meaning, don't go in to an audition, where someone has never played it before ruins your shot.

One time, I was auditioning for Into the Woods, and decided to use Giants in the Sky as my piece. The accompiniast could not play it right, and that disturbed me, as I was auditioning for the show....

[whimsical]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 1:27pm

Bwaybaby109, I'm glad to hear you know Dave Clemmons! He comes to our college every year, teaches a workshop, takes our headshots and resumes and then calls us in for auditions through the year.

He's such a great guy!

And what he told us about JRB was: They are done quite a bit sometimes but he doesn't mind because he loves hearing them. He thinks they are great songs for singers to show off their acting and vocal chops (I suppose almost everyone feels this way, right?).

Did he tell you to stay away from Desperado at all costs? :)
Updated On: 3/24/05 at 01:27 PM

[Bwaybaby109]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 1:41pm

Yeah Dave comes to our college too, he's a great guy to know and yea he has also told us to stay away from Desperado as well. I forgot about that!

[bjivie2]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 1:47pm

Well, it's just my opinion that JRB is too risky to take to auditions. Like I said earlier, unless you KNOW the accompanist and are sure they can play it, then fine. If you don't know who the accompanist is, I would stay away from JRB.

[whimsical]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 1:53pm

I think there's certain songs that are fine to take. But certainly there are a few risky ones.

[kitkatgirl54]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 5:48pm

thank you everyone for your imput .. -- so has anyone played this song on the piano? or sang it at an audition? how did it go?

Updated On: 3/24/05 at 05:48 PM

[kitkatgirl54]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 7:54pm

bump

[GirlforTartaglia]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 8:44pm

Is it from TL5Y?

[Jwei123]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 8:45pm

yes, it's from l5y

[GirlforTartaglia]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 8:46pm

Do they have sheet music published for it?

[Jwei123]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 9:09pm

I believe so. I know they have an 'l5y' book out, but im not certain if the song is included...im pretty sure it is tho.

[GirlforTartaglia]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 9:35pm

oh okey, cool :)

[La Vie Boheme]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 9:51pm

I know my voice teacher wont let me do any JRB for an audition b/c she thinks it will be hard for the accompanist. It is "iffy" to me. Great music, but risky for audtions unless you have auditioned there before or know how good the accompanist is.

[Bwaybaby109]

Posted: 3/27/05 at 10:05pm

Yeah theres no telling when it comes to the accompanist. Heck, at one audition the accompanist couldn't play well on anyones audition, he couldn't play Something Wonderful from the King And I! I could play it flippin better than he could and I have had 2 years of piano. Sorry I'll get off my soap box, my point is that there's no telling if you have a good accompanist or not. If you do just bear with it and still act with the song, because if you even look at your accompanist like it's their fault, casting agents will not hire you.