Acting in Plays, Singing/Audition songs???

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Expert: - 2/11/2009


Question
  I am 12 years old and my voice hasn't quite matured yet.  I'm auditioning for a quite professional musical in 4 days, and I just found out that I had an audition slot scheduled for me today.  I've been looking for any audition song that is easy to learn and fun to sing.  I am an alto/soprano.  I can sing up to a high F and to a little bit below middle C.  I hope you can help me, and fast!!!
Thanks!!!

Answer
Hello, Heather –

Thank you for the question.

Professional musical theatre auditions are about presenting material that has been well-prepared and in relationship to the show at hand.  Most audition notices request two contrasting songs – which generally means a ballad and up-tempo.

What is the show you are auditioning for and what part do you want?  Even if you want to be a member of the chorus, you must sing material within your vocal category, i.e., soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto belter, etc., and have it relate to the demands of the specific composer.

From your description, you may be a mezzo-soprano.  They have tons of fun things to sing, but "easy to learn" is always in relationship to the individual's musical skills.  And, again, with the composer's style in mind.  In other words, a fun song from the Disney repertoire is not the best choice for a Stephen Sondheim show, etc.

Start exploring material such as:
I Can Hear The Bells – HAIRSPRAY
Another Hundred People – COMPANY
Funny Honey – CHICAGO
Gorgeous – THE APPLE TREE
I Enjoy Being A Girl – FLOWER DRUM SONG
Gimme Gimme – THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE

I want you to think about investing in the anthologies listed below.  They are packed with songs written within the mezzo-soprano / alto range.  The above songs are contained in them and are published in the same keys as the original scores.  Click on or paste the URL into your browser to order on-line:

Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology - Volume 1 Revised - Mezzo-Soprano/Belter
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?cart=32001285122&lc=recs:det...

Volume 2:
Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology - Volume 2 Revised - Mezzo-Soprano/Belter
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?cart=32001285122&lc=recs:det...

Volume 3:
Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology - Volume 3 - Mezzo-Soprano/Belter
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?cart=32001285122&type=rec&it...

Volume 4:
Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology - Volume 4 - Mezzo-Soprano/Belter
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?cart=32001285122&item=671824...

I'm happy to answer your questions.  Come the opportunity for your next audition, don't wait until the last minute – OK?

I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco.  When you want to book an appointment, contact me through Craig's List – http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/1030053071.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:

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Acting in Plays, Singing

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Sean Martinfield

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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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