Expert: Sean Martinfield - 1/31/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello! I am auditioning for college soon and am struggling with decisiveness. The requirements are: Prepare a portion of an up-tempo song and a ballad from the musical theatre repertoire. One song should be written prior to 1960 so that we may hear both traditional "Golden Age" singing and contemporary musical theatre singing. Additionally, it is our hope that women will demonstrate both their soprano and their belt voices. Both songs combined should last no longer than 90 seconds.

I am struggling with the post 1960. I want to use "Shy" from Once Upon a Mattress and a contrasting song. I was hoping for some suggestions, all I can come up with is "I don't know how to love him" from Jesus Christ Super Star. I don't belt it but don't think it counts as the soprano voice they want to hear. I can sing different voice parts according to the song but am strongest with belting or a smooth alto song.
Thanks! Lauren

ANSWER: Hi, Lauren –

Thank you for the question.

More and more the term "soprano" is being distorted when applied to musical theatre. "Shy" from ONCE UPON A MATTRESS is in the mezzo-soprano anthology and is the territory of a true belter.

Consider any of the following for your audition:
By The Sea – SWEENEY TODD
Hold On – THE SECRET GARDEN
Someone Like You – JEKYLL & HYDE
When I Look At You – SCARLET PIMPERNEL
Who Will Love Me As I Am? – SIDE SHOW

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:

"Would You Like A Souvenir?" – Sean Martinfield and Janet Roitz explore a song from Film Noir classic NORA PRENTISS (1947)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOiqTp0tjvg

THE RITE – Right into the trash
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=106465

GISELLE – And the Legend of the Wilis
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=105461

NOIR CITY 9 — Festival closes today at the Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=106265

COMPANY C CONTEMPORARY BALLET – Opens 9th Season
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=104823

GISELLE – Opens SF Ballet's 78th Season, 1/29/11
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=99745

“NUREMBURG: It’s Lesson For Today” – Rare Documentary Restored
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=104677

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Opens September 9th with with Iréne Theorin as “Turandot”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=104443

PEARLS OVER SHANGHAI – Thrillpeddlers Extends Hit Show Through April 9th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=104310

BUDRUS – A Documentary on uniting Palestinians and Israelis
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=104134

NADJA SALERNO-SONNENBERG – and New Century Chamber Orchestra Announce February 2011 Tour
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=103892

LANG LANG – Tonight At Davies Symphony Hall
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=103997

VOICES OF MUSIC – In Concert, “Concerto Barocco”, January 28th–30th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=103636

AVNER DORMAN, Composer – SF Symphony Presents World Premiere of “Uriah: The Man the King Wanted Dead”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=103402

LORRAINE HUNT LIEBERSON – Featured Artist On Philharmonia Baroque's New Recording Label
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=103202

CAMERON CARPENTER – Organist signs with CAMI Music and Konzertdirektion Schmid
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=102415

THE ELIXIR OF LOVE FOR FAMILIES (The Movie) – Free Screenings At The Herbst
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=103120

BEETHOVEN – A Two-Week Gig At San Francisco Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=102789

ASIAN ART MUSEUM – Proposed financial agreement provides long term stable financing
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=102738

AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ – Yoshi’s SF presents Tony Award-winning Broadway musical
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=102543

2ND ANNUAL GERMAN GEMS – Comes to the Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=102599

PIANIST HÉLÈNE GRIMAUD – This Week with the SF Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=102180

FILM NOIR FESTIVAL – At the Castro Theatre, 1/21–30
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=101857

THE PALACE OF FINE ARTS – Opening Celebration, January 14th
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

GISELLE – Opens SF Ballet’s 78th Season
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=99745

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

HEART OF A SOLDIER – SF Opera Commissions New Work
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=98518

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

CD: MAHLER’S “Songs With Orchestra” – SF Symphony Completes Mahler Recording Project
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95840

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

AUDITIONS: Wanted – Beefcake For San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95413

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

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

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

MARIA CALLAS EXHIBIT – A Rare Collection At the Italian Cultural Institute
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=89563

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

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

BLACK SABBATH – The Secret Musical History of Black-Jewish Relations
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=85115

CD: SONIDOS LATINOS – Guitarist, David Russell
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=84374

EAT PRAY LOVE – Julia Roberts Is Gorgeous
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=84196

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
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=80577

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN – "Puttin' On The Ritz" At the Golden Gate Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=79580

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
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68311

HANDEL'S "ORLANDO" – 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
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

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

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much. I have not heard all of those and was blown away by some. Since I am only to sing ninety seconds total, I have some questions regarding the pieces you listed. Should I sing more of one song than the other? I can't belt both of them but should I spend more time with Shy and less with the second because I both know it well and show my better aspects? I was also wondering what you meant about the term soprano. Do you mean that as long as I don't belt I should be within the requirements or was it simply to point out that technically Shy is mezzo-soprano and therefore counts? I am sorry that I am confused but I want to be clear so I can have complete confidence in my decision. Thanks!

Answer
Hi, Lauren –

If you don't have to include a monologue in your audition, then 90 seconds for two songs rounds out to approximately 16 to 24 measures per song. Don't spend more time on "Shy" than your second choice.

Speaking in treble clef, the range for a standard soprano stretches from the B-flat or A below Middle C to High C two octaves above. Always be discerning when you encounter something along the lines of, "they want to hear your soprano". What that has come to imply over the past decade or so – especially for mezzo-sopranos – is anything above 3rd-line B that slips into a lighter production and a softer volume. It has a soprano "effect". Listen to Christine Andreas' recording of "When I Look At You" from the SCARLET PIMPERNEL as a good example.

All my mezzo-sopranos – including the "belters" – exercise to a fully-blended High A, most go higher. If you are envisioning a career in musical theatre then you must be able to negotiate that passage in your voice between 2nd-space A and 5th-line F. My job as a professional vocal coach is to show you how.

Best regards,
Sean Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65