Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 7/8/2011

Question
Hello,
I am 14 years old and will be auditioning for the musical "13!" this autumn. I am an alto and have found several answers regarding this, but all suggest using a pop/rock song and the person who be directing the production, I have worked with before and they prefer songs from musical theatre or Disney. Do you know of any songs that are from musicals and would be good to use when auditioning for "13!"? And what kind of songs should I be looking for?
Thanks so much
Margaret

Answer
Hi there, Margaret...And thanks for writing.

Congrats on the audition!

I suggest that you go with your gut.  If you know that they prefer musical theatre or Disney music, then run with that.  Or you could have both ready - a pop/rock and a music theatre piece.  And then in the audition, ask them which they would prefer and do that one.  

Regarding options for songs for you, although I would love to suggest them for you, I prefer to not do that because I do not know you nor do I know your personality nor your experience nor your abilities.  I want the best for you and because of that, let me give you the following tips:

It is really important that you follow these guidelines when choosing a song:
*Love the song.
*Understand and identify with the song (empathize with it)
*Make sure the song is in your range.
*Make sure that that song shows your abilities.

Places that you can find a song:
*Ask a teacher or a choir teacher or a voice teacher for song recommendations.
*Think of a musical or musicals that you love or songwriters or singers that you love and choose a song from here.
*Go to your library and look up songs that are in your range (they are categorized usually in ranges - soprano and mezzo and alto)
*Watch musicals and find a song.

Does that help you?

Wanda