You are here:
- Home
- Arts/Humanities
- Performing Arts
- Acting in Plays, Singing
- Audition Repertoire
Acting in Plays, Singing/Audition Repertoire
Advertisement
Question
Hi,
I am preparing for an audition that asks for two contrasting pieces, and I am having having a difficult time finding a good contemporary piece.
Currently, I am studying vocal performance at a university, and am very strongly classically trained. To show off this part of my voice, I elected to sing "If I Loved You", which fits my voice well, and as well as showing my ability to play a role I would likely be cast in. (aka legit engenue).
The issue lies in finding a contemporary uptempo piece. Belting is not my forte, but I have a very strong mix, that I can do very naturally and without strain up to at least a G5. I am looking for a character, acting song that is not overly belty. Low/talking-singing is fine, but I really can't belt without sounding ridiculous.
Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you so much.
Hello, Kim –
Thank you for the question and the information.
What kind of an audition is it? Is it for a specific show or a class or a seasonal audition, etc.? If it's for a show, then your material should be in relationship to it.
"If I Loved You" is a heavy piece. In the wrong hands, it can be tiresome, predictable, and dreary. See that you sparkle or I will cut you off before eight measures. Hint: the song is all about sex. She doesn't even give the guy a chance to take her to coffee.
For your contrasting piece, consider:
Dear Friend – SHE LOVES ME
Show Me – MY FAIR LADY
A Call From The Vatican – NINE
Do It Again – THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (film version)
The Song That Goes Like This – SPAMALOT
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/1697631397.html
You may also contact me through my website: http://www.thebeltersmethod.com/The_Belters_Method/Welcome.html
I am 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
”As Time Goes By” – aboard Cunard’s Queen Victoria
”Embraceable You” – Gershwin and Rodin at the Legion of Honor
SAMSON & DELILAH – Meet Seán Martinfield
Below are links to my recent interviews and articles about what's happening on San Francisco's cultural scene:
PROGRAM 7 – Final Performance Tonight At SF Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=69754
REINVENTING RITUAL: Opens at the Contemporary Jewish Museum, April 22nd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=69596
CHURCH STREET FLOWERS – On Exhibit at the de Young's "Bouquets To Art 2010"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=69226
CHARLIE CHAPLIN – 1925 Silent Classic Opens Tonight at Davies Symphony Hall
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=69007
AMANDA McBROOM – A rose for new CD, "CHANSON"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68879
PROGRAM 6 – Beauty In Abundance At San Francisco Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68702
CAMERON CARPENTER – Stellar Organist Returns to San Francisco May 2nd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68311
DUNCAN SHIEK – FINAL PERFORMANCE TONIGHT WITH SF SYMPHONY
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68088
HANDEL'S "ORLANDO" – TONIGHT AT THE HERBST. An Interview with Conductor Nicholas McGagen
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=67774
MASTERPIECES FROM THE MUSÉE D'ORSAY – Coming to the de Young Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=67511
CITY ISLAND – Thumbs Up for Andy Garcia
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=67286
OLYMPIA DUKAKIS – Opens in A.C.T.'s "Vigil", Wednesday 3/31
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=66684
WORLD PREMIERE – Alonzo King LINES Ballet, 4/16–25
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=66566
WAKING SLEEPING BEAUTY – An Interview with Director Don Hahn and Producer Peter Schneider
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=66140
IVETA APKALNA – Organist Debuts at Davies Symphony Hall
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=65902
BLACK & WHITE BALL – Tony Bennett and k.d. lang, May 22nd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=64976
THE LITTLE MERMAID – “This Girl’s Got Everything!”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=65498
SWITCHBOARD MUSIC FESTIVAL 2010 – Sunday, March 28th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=65310
THE LITTLE MERMAID – US Premiere at SF Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=65167
CAMERON CARPENTER – At Davies Symphony Hall, May 2nd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=64126
THE SUGAR WITCH – A Winner At New Conservatory Theatre Center
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=64269
USS POTOMAC – A Pleasure Cruise on a Presidential Yacht
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=63852
PEARLS OVER SHANGHAI – An Interview with Russell Blackwood
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=63625
ALICE IN WONDERLAND – A Lot of Tempest in a Pot of Tea
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=62921
MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS – Awarded the National Medal of Arts
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=62060
ROMAN POLANSKI – “The Ghost Writer”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=61731
CARLOS SANTANA – Winner of 2010 Mayor’s Art Award
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=61515
ZAHI HAWASS – Comes to San Francisco March 8th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=61026
SHANGHAI – Now At the Asian Art Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=60643
PIANIST MISHA DICHTER – A Conversation
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=59695
JOSHUA ROMAN – Hot young cellist debuts this week at SF Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=60102
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF – Some Fancy Fiddling By Harvey Fierstein
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=59193
ZUILL BAILEY – A Conversation
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=58241
CREATION – A Challenging Film Biography on Charles Darwin
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=57307
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Announces Repertory and Casting for 2010/11
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=57087
DAVID PERRY – On the “Dos and Don’ts of Social Media”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=56487
NATHAN GUNN – A Hit At The Herbst
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=56056
CONTEMPORARY JEWISH MUSEUM – Our Struggle: Responding to Mein Kampf
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=55889
100th ANNIVERSARY – A Landmark Celebration for the American Conservatory Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=55040
CRITIC’S CHOICE: CD – MICHAEL MANIACI: Mozart Arias For Male Soprano
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=54523
ROBERT DOWNEY Jr. – Not Holmes For Christmas
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=53947
CARTIER AND AMERICA – Exclusive Exhibit at the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=53619
THE 39 STEPS – Hitchcock To Stage Is Too Fabulous
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=52598
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
DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT – A Hit for San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=46210
FLEETWEEK – Weekend Bash at Pier 39
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=45837
FLEET WEEK – A Conversation with Airshow Pilot Tim Weber
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=45460
SF OPERA’S “Abduction From The Seraglio” – The Trills and Frills of Captivity
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=43985
IL TRITTICO – Patricia Racette Debuts In Puccini’s Trio of One-Act Operas
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=43109
IL TROVATORE – Opening Night A Stunning Success For San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=42392
CD – ZUILL BAILEY and SIMONE DINNERSTEIN, Beethoven’sComplete Works for Piano and Cello
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=39415
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
SALLY KELLERMAN – Hot Lips for Hot Hits at The Rrazz Room
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=33009
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, Principal Dancer with SF Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=22107
Best regards,
Seán Martinfield
SanFranciscoSentinel.com
Related Articles
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
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.