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Acting in Plays, Singing/Wedding Singer Audition
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Question
Hey Sean,
I read your response to a girl auditioning for Wedding Singer, and was wondering if you could give some advice for a guy auditioning. I'm having trouble finding good audition material. I'm mostly interested in Robbie, Sammy, and Glenn. Especially Sammy, I really need something quirky!
Any advice would be great!
Hi, Brian –
Thank you for the question.
THE WEDDING SINGER takes place in 1985. It draws upon the sounds of the time.
"Sammy" is a tenor. Your job at this audition is to prove your pop/rock tenor vocals.
If you aren't restricted to Broadway songs for your audition, then look at the best-selling Pop/Rock hits from the '80s and the artists who sang them.
Consider these two Billboard hits from 1985. The links below will take you to a site to purchase on-line. Listen to the recordings.
"Can't Fight This Feeling" – by REO Speedwagon
http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0061595
"Oh Sheila" – by Ready For The World
http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/scorch.asp?ppn=SC0019229
Also listen to "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" – by The Police
Whatever material you choose, you must present it with the same drive as would the singer in a professional band. "Quirky" in Rock is always about sexual image and energy. In an audition, you have to show all that stuff to a panel of judges. Sometimes you get 16 measures or less to do that. If you give it to them within the first 4 measures, they may let you continue with the next 4 measures. Make sure you practice your presentation in front of a mirror.
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 on San Francisco's entertainment and cultural scene:
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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=101597
OF THE EARTH – New Year’s Eve with the Shotgun Players
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=101452
THIS WEEK ON STAGE – Leanne Borghesi, Tom Orr, Teatro ZinZanni, New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball with SF Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=101334
WOMEN ON THE WAY FESTIVAL – “The Dark Season”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=101077
JENNIFER EWING: Artist-in-Residence, at the de Young Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=101006
CONTEMPORARY JEWISH MUSEUM – Free Admission Christmas Day
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=100381
THIS WEEK IN THEATRE – Dirty Little Showtunes, Shrek, The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, and Lisa Vroman
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=100021
GISELLE – Opens SF Ballet’s 78th Season, 1/19/11
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=99745
Holiday Concerts at The Rrazz Room
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=99580
A Conversation with Elza van den Heever
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=99268
Greg Weber – Appointed Director of Production by SF Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=99472
A.C.T.’S RENÉ AUGESEN – to Participate in Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=98897
YAELISA’S CAMINOS FLAMENCOS – At the Cowell Theatre, 12/17–19
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=98703
HEART OF A SOLDIER – SF Opera Commissions New Work
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=98518
SF BALLET’S NUTCRACKER – Gorgeous HolidayTrearts
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=98185
ARTHUR SZYK: Miniature Paintings and Modern Illuminations
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=97709
SF SYMPHONY – Announces 2011/12 Centennial Celebration
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=97495
I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS – What were they smoking?
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=97281
SHREK THE MUSICAL – Ogres and Freaks and Spells, “Oh, my!”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=96975
THE BLACK SWAN – Don’t Save The Drippings
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=96580
ADLER FELLOWS GALA CONCERT – Herbst Theatre, 12/1
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=96339
HOLIDAY CONCERTS – With the San Francisco Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=96160
COMING TO THE RRAZZ ROOM – Donna Sachet, Abigail Zsiga, David Campbell, Linda Kosut, Barb Jungr
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=96058
CD: MAHLER’S “Songs With Orchestra” – SF Symphony Completes Mahler Recording Project
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95840
HOLIDAY CONCERTS – Keeping Spirits Bright In The City
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95927
SHREK THE MUSICAL – Opens 12/1 at the Orpheum Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95805
YIGIT PURA – Local Pastry Chef Wins Bravo’s “Top Chef Just Desserts”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95774
GENIUS WITHIN: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95683
A.C.T. Presents “A Christmas Carol”, 12/2–12/24
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95497
AUDITIONS: Wanted – Beefcake For San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95413
AÏDA – Returns To San Francisco Opera, 11/23–12/5
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95345
KARITA MATTILA – “Viva To The Diva!”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95163
THE MAKROPULOS CASE – Opens Tonight At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95016
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT – Program changes for this week’s concerts with SF Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=94998
CLUB FOOT ORCHESTRA – A Conversation with Richard Marriot
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=94863
ELZA VAN DEN HEEVER – Performs Strauss’ Four Last Songs with SF Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=94646
TIMOTHY SEELIG – Takes His Baton To SF Gay Men’s Chorus
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=94577
THE MAKROPULOS CASE – A Premiere At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=94176
RECLAIMED: Paintings From The Collection of Jacques Goudstikker
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=94007
WEST SIDE STORY – Most of it, anyway
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=93786
PLÁCIDO DOMINGO – An Interview with the Tenor turned Baritone for “Cyrano”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=93275
JAPANESQUE – At the Legion of Honor, Japanese Prints in the Era of Impressionism
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=92923
BEYOND GOLDEN CLOUDS – At the Asian Art Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=92699
SCHEHERAZADE – A Spectacular Opening Night for Alonzo King Lines Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=92361
FLEET WEEK – Souvenirs From the Party At Pier 39
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=92106
MADAMA BUTTERFLY – A Beautiful Ensemble At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=91730
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT – World Premiere of Five Shakespeare Sonnets, November 11–13
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=91632
SCHEHERAZADE – Alonzo King LINES Ballet at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=91228
MADAMA BUTTERFLY – Opens at SF Opera, Tuesday 10/12
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=91101
Dr. ELISA STEPHENS – My Visit with the President
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=90791
TALES OF THE CITY – Casting for A.C.T. Workshop Announced
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=90166
Carey Bell and Jean-Frédéric Neuburger – At Davies Hall
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=89908
VAN GOGH, GAUGUIN, CÉZANNE & BEYOND – A San Francisco Must-See Experience
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=89802
MARIA CALLAS EXHIBIT – A Rare Collection At the Italian Cultural Institute
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=89563
MARRIAGE OF FIGARO – Now At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=89358
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES – A Sparkling Hit at Broadway By The Bay
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=89305
AT THE DE YOUNG – Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne and Beyond
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=89086
PHILHARMONIA BAROQUE ORCHESTRA – 30th Anniversary Gala, 9/24
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=88961
TENOR RAMÓN VARGAS – A Worthy “Werther” At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=88856
AÏDA – Spectacular Opening Night At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=88247
JERRY SPRINGER THE OPERA – Now At The Victoria Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=88014
OPENING NIGHT AT SF SYMPHONY – A Mixed Bag
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=87772
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO – Opens 9/21 at San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=87283
WERTHER – French Classic At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=86829
DREAMGIRLS – High Gloss and Not Much Soul
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=86316
CUBAN BALLET – An Interview with Octavio Roca
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=86049
A Look At "Giselle" with Ballerina Lorena Feijóo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33-a6Oa-0j4
DOLORA ZAJICK – Internationally Acclaimed Mezzo To Receive Merola Distinguished Alumni Award
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=85363
OPERA – Opening Night, September 10th, Verdi's AÏDA
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=85323
BLACK SABBATH – The Secret Musical History of Black-Jewish Relations
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=85115
DON’T ASK and DIVALICIOUS — Now at the New Conservatory Theatre Center
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CD: SONIDOS LATINOS – Guitarist, David Russell
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EAT PRAY LOVE – Julia Roberts Is Gorgeous
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JAMES LEVINE – Celebrating 40 Years at the Metropoitan Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=84017
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Broadcasts Return to KQED
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=83505
“L’ELISIR D’AMORE” – Members of the Merola Opera Program, this week at Fort Mason
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=82920
DIVALICIOUS – Leanne Borghesi Raises The Roof At New Conservatory Theatre Center
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=82831
AÏDA – Verdi’s Masterpiece To Open SF Opera, September 10th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=81526
NORMA TALMADGE & GILBERT ROLAND – “A Woman Disputed” At The Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=81297
JULIAN COX – Appointed Chief Curator of the de Young Museum and Founding Curator of Photography
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=80803
BACH & FRIENDS – West Coast Premiere At The Kabuki, 7/14
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STONEWALL UPRISING – New Documentary Captures Pivotal Moment in the Gay Rights Movement
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YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN – "Puttin' On The Ritz" At the Golden Gate Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=79580
DIE WALKÜRE and LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST – Final Performances Tonight and Friday
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FROM BEGINNING TO END – At the Castro Theatre, FRAMELINE34
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=78854
DEBORAH VOIGT – A Captivating "Fanciulla del West"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=77858
SABINA ALLEMANN – Former SF Ballet Ballerina Returns In A.C.T.'s "The Tosca Project"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=76516
CD/DVD Release: CAMERON LIVE! – Organist Cameron Carpenter
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=76093
THE RUFFATTI ORGAN & CAMERON CARPENTER at DAVIES HALL
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=76169
JEANETTE MacDONALD – Hollywood Diva Remembered at the War Memorial Opera House
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=75637
IN THE HEIGHTS – Hits the heights in San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=72988
AMANDA McBROOM – A rose for new CD, "CHANSON"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68879
CAMERON CARPENTER – Stellar Organist Returns to San Francisco May 2nd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68311
HANDEL'S "ORLANDO" – TONIGHT AT THE HERBST. An Interview with Conductor Nicholas McGagen
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=67774
WAKING SLEEPING BEAUTY – An Interview with Director Don Hahn and Producer Peter Schneider
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=66140
CAMERON CARPENTER – At Davies Symphony Hall, May 2nd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=64126
PEARLS OVER SHANGHAI – An Interview with Russell Blackwood
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=63625
PIANIST MISHA DICHTER – A Conversation
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=59695
ZUILL BAILEY – A Conversation
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=58241
DAVID PERRY – On the “Dos and Don’ts of Social Media”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=56487
NATHAN GUNN – Sings Schubert's Die Schöne Müllerin
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=56056
CAMINOS FLAMENCOS – A Conversation with Yaelisa
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=51761
A CONVERSATION WITH LUCIE ARNAZ – This Week At The Rrazz Room
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=51605
ON THE ORGAN – At the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=49615
JANE MONHEIT – This Sunday At The Empire Ballroom
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=48083
NORMA SHEARER – Hollywood Dreams Made Real
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=38082
THE EGYPTIAN (1954) – A Swords & Sandals Cultural Encounter at the de Young Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=37554
DIANE BAKER – Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=32007
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
A Conversation with Ruben Martin Cintas, Principal Dancer with SF Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=22107
Best regards,
Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65
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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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