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QUESTION: Hi I will be auditioning for Thoroughly Modern Mille, very soon. I just want to get in I am not really aiming for a specific part, maybe Mrs. Meers I have a low range and can belt but not that well. I was thinking of Stars and the Moon from Songs for A New World. Would this song be good or would you be able to give me any suggestions?
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question
-Jess
ANSWER: Hello, Jessica –
Thank you for the question. Why private?
Many singers have similar concerns. Let's share our exchange.
Please re-submit your question openly and I will respond.
I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco. To book an appointment, contact me through Craig's List – http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/914262689.html
I am also the fine arts critc for SanFranciscoSentinel.com. All my articles and interviews provide a link to my personal e-mail.
Take a look at my You Tubes:
Lorena Feijóo - A Look at "Giselle" with Seán Martinfield
SAMSON & DELILAH – Meet Seán Martinfield
CA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES – A Preview Look with Seán Martinfield
Below are links to recent articles and reviews:
AFGHANISTAN – HIDDEN TREASURES FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM, KABUL, Now at the Asian Art Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17320
GRAND HOTEL – MGM’s 1932 Classic, Thursday at the Legion of Honor’s Berliner Film Fest
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17296
THE ELIXIR OF LOVE – It’s Happy Hour At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17279
THE STATE MUSEUMS OF BERLIN AND THE LEGACY OF JAMES SIMON
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17223
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA – Lon Chaney Silences SF Symphony For Halloween Night, Friday at 8:00
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17181
CARNEGIE HALL OPENING NIGHT – Tonight on PBS’ GREAT PERFORMANCES
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17164
BORIS GODUNOV – Opens tonight at the War Memorial Opera House
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65
CD – DAS LIED VON DER ERDE: Superb Live Recording by Stuart Skelton and Thomas Hampson
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16897
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW – Ray of Light Theatre Begins New Season October 17th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16805
JOSHUA BELL – At Davies Hall, October 23rd – 25th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16790
HISTORY BOYS – A Degree In Excellence at New Conservatory Theatre Centre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16716
EMANUEL AX – Renowned Pianist Appears with San Francisco Symphony October 9th – 11th
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ALONZO KING – RECEIVES 2nd ANNUAL MAYOR’S ART AWARD
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A BRONX TALE – At the Golden Gate Theatre through October 19th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16594
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES – Opens this weekend in Golden Gate Park
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SPRING AWAKENING – A Breath Of Fresh Air, Now At The Curran
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SIMON BOCCANEGRA – WASHES ASHORE FOR OPENING NIGHT AT SAN FRANCISCO OPERA
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16116
Best regards,
Seán Martinfield
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi, I will be auditioning for Thoroughly Modern Mille, very soon. I just want to get in I am not really aiming for a specific part, maybe Mrs. Meers I have a low range and can belt but not that well. I was thinking of Stars and the Moon from Songs for A New World. Would this song be good or would you be able to give me any suggestions?
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question
-Jess
Hi, Jessica –
Thank you for the question.
My client recently appeared as "Mrs. Meers" in a fabulous production of THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLE at BROADWAY BY THE BAY. The role belongs to a contralto (or low Alto), much of it sitting below even the role of "Muzzy".
No matter what role you want, "Stars and the Moon" from SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD is not in keeping with the mood and tempos of THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLE.
Consider any of the following songs:
We're In The Money – 42nd STREET
You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me – 42nd STREET
The Boy Friend – THE BOY FRIEND
I Could Be Happy With You – THE BOY FRIEND
The Money Song – CABARET
I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco. To book an appointment, contact me through Craig's List – http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/914262689.html
I am also the fine arts critc for SanFranciscoSentinel.com. All my articles and interviews provide a link to my personal e-mail.
Take a look at my You Tubes:
Lorena Feijóo - A Look at "Giselle" with Seán Martinfield
SAMSON & DELILAH – Meet Seán Martinfield
CA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES – A Preview Look with Seán Martinfield
Below are links to recent articles and reviews:
CHRISTINE ANDREAS – A Conversation with Beautiful Broadway and Cabaret Star
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17442
CD Review – REVOLUTIONARY, Cameron Carpenter, Organist
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17408
LA BOHÈME – Opens Sunday Afternoon, November 16th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17390
AFGHANISTAN – HIDDEN TREASURES FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM, KABUL, Now at the Asian Art Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17320
GRAND HOTEL – MGM’s 1932 Classic, Thursday at the Legion of Honor’s Berliner Film Fest
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17296
THE ELIXIR OF LOVE – It’s Happy Hour At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17279
THE STATE MUSEUMS OF BERLIN AND THE LEGACY OF JAMES SIMON
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17223
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA – Lon Chaney Silences SF Symphony For Halloween Night, Friday at 8:00
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17181
CARNEGIE HALL OPENING NIGHT – Tonight on PBS’ GREAT PERFORMANCES
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17164
SAMUEL RAMEY IS BORIS GODUNOV – Now at San Francisco Opera through November 15th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17140
CD – BRAHMS: Ein Deutsches Requiem
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17012
BORIS GODUNOV – Opens tonight at the War Memorial Opera House
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65
IDOMENEO – Star Treatment For Mozart Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65
CD – DAS LIED VON DER ERDE: Superb Live Recording by Stuart Skelton and Thomas Hampson
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16897
WARHOL’S JEWS – Series of ten original paintings on display at The Contemporary Jewish Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16860
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW – Ray of Light Theatre Begins New Season October 17th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16805
JOSHUA BELL – At Davies Hall, October 23rd – 25th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16790
HISTORY BOYS – A Degree In Excellence at New Conservatory Theatre Centre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16716
EMANUEL AX – Renowned Pianist Appears with San Francisco Symphony October 9th – 11th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16700
ALONZO KING – RECEIVES 2nd ANNUAL MAYOR’S ART AWARD
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16683
A BRONX TALE – At the Golden Gate Theatre through October 19th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16594
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES – Opens this weekend in Golden Gate Park
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16534
DIE TOTE STADT - A BAD HAIR DAY IN THE DEAD CITY
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16512
BONESETTER’S DAUGHTER – New Opera Stands Alone
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16321
THE WOMEN – NOT WHO YOU ARE EXPECTING
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16231
SPRING AWAKENING – A Breath Of Fresh Air, Now At The Curran
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16219
STORYCORPS – Oral History Project Opens October 12th at the Contemporary Jewish Museum
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CORKY'S HOT ICE – Latest Bling In Gay Cinema
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SIMON BOCCANEGRA – WASHES ASHORE FOR OPENING NIGHT AT SAN FRANCISCO OPERA
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TOM ORR – A Conversation with Seán Martinfield
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CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES – Opens Wednesday, September 27th
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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15150
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE – Detours Ahead
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THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE – at Broadway By The Bay
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14777
JENNIFER SIEBEL – A Conversation with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=6361
A CHORUS LINE – at the Curran Theatre
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A CONVERSATION WITH IAN ROBERTSON – Director of the San Francisco Boys Chorus
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13747
SAN FRANCISCO SILENT FILM FESTIVAL – At the Castro Theatre
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ERIK BATZ – A Conversation With “The Scarecrow” At The Mountain Play
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NORMA SHEARER in “MARIE ANTOINETTE” – At the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=8783
Best regards,
Seán Martinfield
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Answers by Expert:
Sean Martinfield
Expertise
I am a professional vocal coach in San Francisco. In addition to answers from a previous web site (Askme.com - where my "tag" was "VocalCoach") I have published over 2000 responses related to vocal training - particularly as it relates to Musical Theatre and Opera. I have 24 years of experience as Personal Trainer to singers and actors in the San Francisco Bay Area. I sang professionally for 20 years and know what it means to live the life of a musician. I can determine your voice category, i.e., Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Alto Belter, etc., and how to broaden and strengthen your range. Need an audition song for a Broadway Musical? I will give you suggestions that are appropriate to your vocal category and to requirements specified in the audition notice. I have also created a vocal methodology, "The Belter`s Method". It will enable those in Musical Theatre to practice more efficiently because it focuses on the demands of professional performers as well as to those auditioning for school and community productions, and as University and Conservatory performing arts majors. If what you want is a better voice and more control over your career moves and choices, contact me. Also, as the Editor of SanFranciscoSentinel.com, it is my privilege to review productions at the San Francisco Opera, Ballet and Symphony, as well as Broadway National Tours booked into San Francisco's Orpheum, Golden Gate and Curran Theatres. I also review works by A.C.T (the American Conservatory Theatre) and Magic Theatre. I cover select films, tributes and retrospects, and various international film festivals – particulary those booked into The City's opulent Castro Theatre – including the LGBT Frameline Festival, International Film Festival, Silent Film Festival, Jewish Film Festival, etc. For private vocal instruction, I can be contacted through SanFranciscoSentinel.com. Look under: Seán Martinfield, Sentinel Editor and Publisher.
Experience
As a vocal coach, I work primarily with singers and actors throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. My students range from absolute beginners to working professionals, from pre-schoolers to senior citizens. The vast majority of my clients come to me through recommendation. I know how to identify any singer's vocal category, i.e., soprano, tenor, alto, baritone, etc. I know how to muscle-up every singer's vocal range and to expand it beyond conventional definitions. I have developed a vocal methodology for those who want to know how to belt, THE BELTER'S METHOD. As a singer who spent half of his career doing Bel Canto, I know that classical or Italian methodologies do not work in Standard American music. Bel Canto cannot be "adapted" to meet the needs of contemporary American music, including the demands of the Musical Theatre.
There are a number of major components to my work as a vocal coach. The first is to identify the client's vocal category and to strengthen and maximize the vocal range accordingly. Then it's about teaching a reliable vocal workout that will enable the client to gain better control of their musicianship. That includes scale work to expand the vocal range and to improve placement, breath control, and diction. Then we work on material for the audition portfolio, the immediate job or assignment, a recording session, etc. My task to is to better equip singers and actors who are hoping to or relying upon their performance skills and vocal endurance to maintain a career in the Performing Arts. My clients regularly appear in cabarets and musical productions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Some have worked in New York and gone on National Tours. For more information, Contact me at: Broadwaybelters@yahoo.com
Education/Credentials
San Francisco State University – BA in Theatre Arts; graduate work in Theatre, Philosophy, and Comparative Reiligion.
Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley – Graduate work in Ethics
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