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Acting in Plays, Singing/Desperate for an upbeat soloist song!
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Question
hey sean,
im 13 & ive been asked 2 audition for a christmas show, and i am in desperate need of an upbeat WELL KNOWN soloist song, and i was wondering if you could help me.
i have quite an extensive range, but im shotty at singing anything alto. i have an extremly powerfull/strong voice & am looking for a song to "show that off" as such,
if you could get back to me as soon as possible that would be amazing.
thanks!
Alex
Hi, Alexandra –
Thank you for the question.
Choosing Christmas music starts with the issue of Sacred or Secular. What kind of show is it?
Given your particular range and your enthusiasm about it, whoever has asked you to be in this show already knows what you can do. But is the show about “Sweet Baby Jesus” or “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” ?
If it’s about the romantic side of the Holiday, then consider “The Man With The Bag”, “Let It Snow” and “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.” These standards are probably available as transposable digital downloads.
For popular shows, it’s all about You. Now’s your chance. These songs have been performed by the very best pop stars every year since they were written. Show ‘em what you got.
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/1344652662.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:
TOM ORR – in “A Crass Act”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=40313
FREE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK – Opens Saturday Night At The Presidio
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=40199
IL TROVATORE – Opens SF Opera’s 87th Season, September 11th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=39892
FILM NOIR – 22 Newly Restored Classics Coming To The Roxie
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=39755
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
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=38821
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY – Opens Tonight At The Curran Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=38348
NORMA SHEARER – Hollywood Dreams Made Real
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=38082
JULIE & JULIA – Pleasing To The Palate
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=37855
THE EGYPTIAN (1954) – A Swords & Sandals Cultural Encounter at the de Young Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=37554
JAMES JUDD – Whoop Click! Now At The Dark Room
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=37175
NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE CENTER – Pride Season 2009/10
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=36938
FESTIVAL OPERA – Presents Charles Gounod’s FAUST
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=36850
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA Welcomes New Music Director – Nicola Luisotti
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=36453
DANCING WITH THE DRAG QUEEN STARS – Who will be crowned Champion
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=36249
SAN FRANCISCO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL – Saturday and Sunday At The Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=35970
JOHN BALDESSARI: A Print Retrospective – Now at the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=35799
L’AMICO FRITZ – This Week At Fort Mason
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=35659
JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL – 29th Anniversary Opens July 23rd at the Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=35558
PATTY DUKE – Gala Appearance and Tribute at the Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=35016
ANTHONY MEIER FINE ARTS – Presenting Work by Rosana Castrillo Diaz
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=34616
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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