Expert: Sean Martinfield - 12/23/2010

Question
In about a month I will be auditioning for a musical program at a fine arts school. I am 14 and my vocal part is alto. The musical arts are very important to me and this audition is a big deal so I want to do my absolute best! I have a pretty big range, but I am strongest when singing an alto part. I need 2 songs to audition with and they should vary in style. I am not exactly sure which types of songs I should look into (Broadway type songs or more classical), but I do need one in a language other than English.

Many people suggest songs from the musical Wicked, but I am hoping to be a little different with my music choice. I don't want songs that everyone else will be doing in hopes to leave an impression.

If you could make some suggestions of some songs that would impress the judges and even some tips for the audition, that would be great!

Thank You!

Answer
Hi, Ariana –

Thank you for the question.

Don't sing anything from WICKED. For some time now, there have been audition notices which specifically state to not sing from WICKED or any material by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The reason? The audition panels are sick of it. And so am I.

The best songs (or best roles) to choose from are those which you would reasonably be cast in or paid to sing. It's not just about your range. It's also about your personality, i.e., your "type", and a song that allows you to show us an aspect of YOU. Obviously, at 14, and in an academic situation, you stand the chance of being cast in roles that would otherwise be unavailable to you in professional Theatre – right? So, what Broadway material have you performed before? What do you sing around the house? With the idea of going into a musical program – and if YOU had to pay for it – surely you must be familiar with a number of musicals or classical songs by now to want to compete for such a program. What are those songs?

In the meantime, consider adding any of these alto songs to your audition portfolio:
Funny Honey – CHICAGO
A Cockeyed Optimist – SOUTH PACIFIC
Can You Use Any Money Today? – CALL ME MADAM
They Say It's Wonderful – ANNIE GET YOUR GUN
You Can Always Count On Me – CITY OF ANGELS

Also consider what is happening with the current National tour of WEST SIDE STORY – many of the lyrics are in Spanish. [See my review: http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=93786 ]  The role of "Anita" is written for an alto/belter. Think about doing a verse and chorus of "I want to live in America" in Spanish. There is a translation available on line which reads:
ANITA: 
Puerto Rico 
Mi corazón la devoción 
Dejar que se hunden de nuevo en el océano 
Siempre los huracanes que soplan 
Siempre a la creciente población 
Y el dinero debido 
Y la luz del sol streaming 
Y los nativos vapor 
Me gusta la isla de Manhattan 
El humo de su pipa 
Y puesto que en! 

NIÑAS: 
Me gusta estar en los Estados Unidos 
Bien por mí en los Estados Unidos 
Todo gratis en los Estados Unidos

For your foreign language selection (and since today is Christmas Eve), consider the traditional French carol, "Il est né le divin Enfant".
You can find it by clicking on the URL below. It is available to be transposed in a key that would best work for you.
http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0069833

Then click on this URL for the complete text in French:
http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/NonEnglish/il_est_ne.h...

I am a vocal coach to working singers in the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm also the Editor and Publisher of SanFranciscoSentinel.com All my articles and interviews provide a link to my personal e-mail.
Below are links to my articles and youtubes on San Francisco's entertainment and cultural scene:

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AT LAST! – ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY – An Interview with Seán Martinfield
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A Conversation with Ruben Martin Cintas, Principal Dancer with SF Ballet
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Best regards,
Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65