You are here:

Acting in Plays, Singing/Alto / Mezzo-Soprano Ballad Audition Song For This Friday

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/24/2010


Question
Hello! I have an audition on Friday, May 28th for Fantine in "Les Miserable: School Edition" for my regional theatre. Until last week I was sure I wanted to sing "Mama Who Bore Me" from Spring Awakening, but have recently changed my mind because I don't think it shows the most of my range and it is also lower than what I normally sing and for the past three auditions I have been told to sing even higher than before. I believe I am a Mezzo-Soprano (I am constantly being told to sing alto in one song and soprano in another song in the same show. I can sing higher than alto, but not as high as soprano, which leads me to believe I am a mezzo. I have also sang with another girl in the company that knows she is a mezzo and I was able to sing the same notes and go just a few higher. I also have know knowledge of the piano, so I can't tell you exactly which notes I can hit, although I was told I can do all of F1-F5.) I have to sing 16 to 32 bars of a ballad that shows range. I am sorry for the short notice, but I just found this site! Thank you so much for your help!

Answer
Hello, Sarah –

Thank you for contacting me.

Consider any of the following:
I'd Give My Life For You – MISS SAIGON
Midnight – CATS
Who Will Love Me As I Am – SIDE SHOW
When I Look At You – SCARLET PIMPERNEL

Whatever you decide to sing – if asked to cut to 16 measures, be prepared to launch into the section that includes the belt and the highest note.

I am a vocal coach to working singers in the San Francisco Bay Area.  When you want to book an appointment, contact me through Craig's List. This week’s connection is: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/1743222727.html  I am also the Editor and Publisher of SanFranciscoSentinel.com.  All my articles and interviews 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:
San Francisco gets its own children’s musical theater
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=74612

StreetSmARTS – A Celebration
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=74511

HOT GREEKS – Now through June 27th at The Hypnodrome
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=74384

ROSS DANCE COMPANY Presents "More Than", Tonight at ODC
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=74178

SF FINE ART FAIR – At Fort Mason through Sunday, 5/23
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=74160

BIRTH OF IMPRESSIONISM – Now at the de Young Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=74024

MAYOR NEWSOM – Celebrates American Debut of Impressionist Masterpieces
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=73801

SEAN PENN – A Benefit Evening at Teatro ZinZanni
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=73568

BLACK & WHITE BALL – Entertainment Announced for Saturday, May 22nd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=73470

LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST – Opens June 9th at San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=73126

IN THE HEIGHTS – Hits the heights in San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=72988

A FRENCH FETE – With the SF Concert Chorale this Saturday
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=72884

PETER PAN – Flying High In San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=72604

IN THE HEIGHTS – Opens Wednesday At The Curran
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=72516

San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2010
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=72333

PETER PAN THE SHOW – Opens Sunday, May 9th, at Ferry Park
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=72172

ZHANG HUAN’S "THREE HEADS SIX ARMS" – Dedication, May 12th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=72121

ROUND AND ROUND THE GARDEN – Opens Tonight at A.C.T.
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=71887

ROMEO AND JULIET – Poetic Finale at SF Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=71635

HOT GREEKS – Revival of The Cockettes 1972 Musical Opens This Sunday
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=71389

TEATRO ZINZANNI – A Tenth Anniversary Gala Celebration
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=71054

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST – Coming to the Golden Gate Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=70827

AUDRA McDONALD – Returns to Davies Hall, Monday 4/26
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=70504

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

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

THE LITTLE MERMAID – “This Girl’s Got Everything!”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=65498

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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,
SanFranciscoSentinel.com

Acting in Plays, Singing

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.