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QUESTION: I have a four octave range Contralto to high Soprano, including being a belter. I am going to audition for two roles in "Curtains" Carmen and Jessica - What would be good songs to sing?
ANSWER: Hello, Rebecca –
Thank you for your question. Why private? Many performers have concerns similar to yours. 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. When you want to book an appointment, contact me through Craig's List. This week’s listing is at: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/1264201967.html
I am also the Editor and Publisher of SanFranciscoSentinel.com. All my articles and interviews about the Performing Arts 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 my recent interviews and articles about what's happening on San Francisco's cultural scene:
INON BARNATAN – At Davies Symphony Hall
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=33480
14th Annual San Francisco Silent Film Festival
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=33250
SALLY KELLERMAN – Hot Lips for Hot Hits at The Rrazz Room
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=33009
TUTANKHAMUN – And The Golden Age Of Pharaohs
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GAY PRIDE 2009 – Theatre and Music This Weekend In San Francisco
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TURANDOT – Soprano Othalie Graham stars in Festival Opera’s Season Premiere
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LA TRAVIATA – Now At San Francisco Opera With Anna Netrebko
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MAKING THE BOYS – Frameline 33 Presents Documentary On the Making of THE BOYS IN THE BAND (1970)
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DIANE BAKER – Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
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AMANDA KING – AT THE RRAZZ ROOM, THIS SATURDAY NIGHT
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RENT: THE BROADWAY TOUR – Returns To The Curran Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=29872
WESLA WHITFIELD – At The Rrazz Room
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=29588
SPAMALOT – THE “MONTY PYTHON” MUSICAL THAT GOES LIKE THIS
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=29401
UP – IS UP UP UP AND AWAY!
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=29132
VERDI REQUIEM – HEIDI MELTON REPLACES PATRICIA RACETTE, TONIGHT AT SF OPERA
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CHERYL BURKE DANCE – Presents “Dancing With The Drag Queen Stars”, June 6th
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CAMERON CARPENTER – An Interview with Seán Martinfield
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AT LAST! – ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY – An Interview with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=27122
ANGELS AND DEMONS – A LIGHTWEIGHT CONTENDER
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IOLANTHE – SF Symphony Presents Gilbert & Sullivan Operetta, June 18th – 21st
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MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMLOT – OPENS AT THE GOLDEN GATE THEATRE MAY 22ND
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DONALD RUNNICLES and CHRISTINE BREWER – CD, "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs
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SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Summer Season Opens June 2nd
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TOSCA – SF Giants and SF Opera Present OPERA AT THE BALLPARK
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2830 PACIFIC STREET – Site of 2009 San Francisco Decorator Showcase
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CHAGALL AND THE ARTISTS OF THE RUSSIAN JEWISH THEATER, 1919-1949 – Now AT San Francisco’s Contemporary Jewish Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=22321
Best regards,
Seán Martinfield
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Okay - It's not private any longer...
I have a four octave range Contralto to high Soprano, including being a belter. I am going to audition for two roles in "Curtains" Carmen and Jessica - What would be good songs to sing?
Hello, Rebecca –
Thank you for the question.
Whenever possible, sing another song by the same composer from a different show. Whatever material you choose for your audition, push the agenda of the character you want through your presentation.
Consider any of the following:
Where You’re Good To Mama – CHICAGO
Mein Herr – CABARET
So What? – CABARET
The Grass Is Always Greener – WOMAN OF THE YEAR (also, And The World Goes 'Round)
These and other songs by Kander and Ebb are included in the anthology below. Just click on or paste the URL into your browser to purchase on-line:
The Kander & Ebb Collection
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/The-Kander-Ebb-Collection/5410502
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. This week’s connection is: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/1330730659.html. I am also the Editor and Publisher of www.SanFranciscoSentinel.com. All my articles and interviews about the Performing Arts provide a link to my personal e-mail.
Download Carmen Milagro’s BlogTalkRadio interview with Seán Martinfield and jazz composer/pianist Terry Disley: Women and Legends Who Really Rock, 6/12/2009
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 my recent interviews and articles about what's happening on San Francisco's cultural scene:
CD – ZUILL BAILEY and SIMONE DINNERSTEIN, Beethoven’sComplete Works for Piano and Cello
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=39415
MAURICE SENDAK – At the Contemporary Jewish Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=39005
NICOLA LUISOTTI – Begins Inaugural Season As Music Director of SF Opera
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AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY – Opens Tonight At The Curran Theatre
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NORMA SHEARER – Hollywood Dreams Made Real
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JULIE & JULIA – Pleasing To The Palate
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THE EGYPTIAN (1954) – A Swords & Sandals Cultural Encounter at the de Young Museum
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JAMES JUDD – Whoop Click! Now At The Dark Room
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MONT ALTO MOTION PICURE ORCHESTRA – Accompanies Opening Night of the 14th Annual San Francisco Silent Film Festival
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=34306
14th Annual San Francisco Silent Film Festival
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=33250
SALLY KELLERMAN – Hot Lips for Hot Hits at The Rrazz Room
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=33009
TUTANKHAMUN – And The Golden Age Of Pharaohs
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=32878
DIANE BAKER – Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=32007
TOSCA - At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=31546
LINDA BLAIR – With Peaches Christ, A Debut At Midnight Mass
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=31038
LORDS OF THE SAMURAI – Now At The Asian Art Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=30916
AMANDA KING – AT THE RRAZZ ROOM, THIS SATURDAY NIGHT
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=30037
RENT: THE BROADWAY TOUR – Returns To The Curran Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=29872
WESLA WHITFIELD – At The Rrazz Room
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=29588
SPAMALOT – THE “MONTY PYTHON” MUSICAL THAT GOES LIKE THIS
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=29401
UP – IS UP UP UP AND AWAY!
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=29132
CAMERON CARPENTER – An Interview with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=24462
AT LAST! – ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY – An Interview with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=27122
ANGELS AND DEMONS – A LIGHTWEIGHT CONTENDER
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=27338
MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMLOT – OPENS AT THE GOLDEN GATE THEATRE MAY 22ND
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=25339
CHAGALL AND THE ARTISTS OF THE RUSSIAN JEWISH THEATER, 1919-1949 – Now AT San Francisco’s Contemporary Jewish Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=22321
SF LYRIC OPERA PRESENTS – RIGOLETTO
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=23090
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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