Expert: Sean Martinfield - 7/17/2011

Question
Sean,
I have received a lot of conflicting opinions on whether songs composed by Stephen Sondheim are appropriate for auditioning. I was wondering if you could give me some conclusive explanation of what you believe as well as the majority opinion among musical theatre professionals.

Thank You,
Hannah

PS: I am a high school student (Class of 2012) and my next musical theatre audition will be February or March of the coming year: this question is not associated with a specific audition.

Answer
Hi, Hannah –

Thank you for the question.

I'm sure I've heard the same talk as you about NOT doing a piece by Sondheim at an audition, especially one that is non-specific.

What I don't hear is the simple and common sense reason. His piano accompaniment is too difficult for most players at most auditions.

There are exceptions. Consider a professional theater company producing a Sondheim show. The audition accompanist may very well be their regular rehearsal accompanist. Which means, that accompanist knows how to play Sondheim. Right? If you are auditioning for a Sondheim show, then you should know – before walking out the door – all the material of whatever roles you want to be considered for and be able to sing any of it upon request. What goes along with that scenario is something common to any musical audition. Unless the audition notice states otherwise, you should not sing from the show you are auditioning for. And since it is always a good idea to select another piece by the same composer – obviously, that means something else by Sondheim.

His song list is huge. Sing whatever you want. Just be sure the song is placed in the key that reflects the vocal range of the character you want. There are a number of sheet music web sites that have his material available in downloadable digital format and which can also be transposed.

As a professional vocal coach I know that Sondheim's music is loaded with challenges of all sorts. If I'm the producer, the music director, or even a consultant on the audition panel – I will be listening for your musicianship. You've got to prove to me within 16 bars or less that your voice and musical sensibilities are going to endure the rehearsal process and run of the show.

Another thing to consider about choosing material by Sondheim for a show by another composer – nobody else writes like him. For example, if you're a soprano – "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" from SWEENEY TODD is in no way related to the style or needs of "Laurie" in OKLAHOMA.

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:

“HE WHO GETS SLAPPED” – A conversation with composer and pianist Matti Bye
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=141506

SEPTEMBER 11th – “Opera In The Park” – The City’s Civic Observance of the 10th Anniversary of 9/11
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=141653

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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=141704

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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=137904

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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=136787

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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=140498

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Single tickets now on sale
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SF JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL – July 21st through August 8th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=139980

SF ARTS COMMISSION – Taps one of its own to serve as Interim Director
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=141235

ARTIST JEFF LONG – At the Toomey Tourell Gallery
The Birds of California: Beyond Audubon
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=139607

“When Harry Met Sally” – SF Jewish Film Festival presents FREE screening in Union Square, July 16th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=139433

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THE CASTRO AMBASSADORS – Got questions? Have answers!
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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=136577

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"My Silver Dollar Man" – from MARKED WOMAN (starring Bette Davis, 1937)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJMuY8aKFV8

"Would You Like A Souvenir?" – Sean Martinfield and Janet Roitz explore a song from Film Noir classic NORA PRENTISS (1947)
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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=135860

“WISH WE WERE HERE”, Genie-ous Comedy at NCTC
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=135371

GÖTTERDAMMERÜNG — A World Premiere, Today At San Francisco Opera
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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=134597

"BILLY ELLIOT" – Leaps Into the Orpheum June 27th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=134002

PICASSO — Now at the de Young Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=133151

OLYMPIA DUKAKIS – Will Host “Tales of the City” Benefit on June 24th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=132644

THIS GUN FOR HIRE, 1942 – Looking at "Now you see it, now you don't" sung by Veronica Lake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI26A6HdnWY

"My Silver Dollar Man" – from MARKED WOMAN (starring Bette Davis, 1937)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJMuY8aKFV8

"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

SANDRA BERNHARD – “I Love Being Me, Don’t You?”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=132407

JOHNNY MATHIS and "CASABLANCA" – In the Summer Line-up with SF Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=131581

SONDHEIM’S “ASSASSINS” – Ray of Light Theatre is right-on target
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=132084

“TALES OF THE CITY” – Totally Sensational, Totally San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=130807

“THE STOPS” – At NCTC – Come On and Get A Faith Lift
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=130572

BRENDEN GUY — British Clarinetist In Concert, June 2nd
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=130065

BLUE MAN GROUP — Best show in town!
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=129943

FRAMELINE35: SF International LGBT Film Festival Opens June 16th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=129288

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THE 2011 FRESH MEAT TOUR — 4 Festive Days of Everything Transgender and Queer
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SILENT FILM FESTIVAL – Opens July 14th with re-discovered film by John Ford
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=127988

WEEKEND AT THE RRAZZ ROOM — Anita Cocktail,  Poppy Champlin, Julie Goldman, and Fortune Feimster
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MISSA SOLEMNIS – Christine Brewer to appear with the SF Symphony, June 23–26
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THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS – Coming to A.C.T.
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THE MAGNA CARTA — Now on view at the Legion of Honor
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THE LITTLE MERMAID – Fabulous Revival by SF Ballet, ends Sunday, 5/8
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BETH WILMURT – A stunning “Alma” in The Eccentricities of a Nightingale, at the Aurora Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=123309

TENOR JAY HUNTER MORRIS – Replaces Ian Storey as “Siegfried” at SF Opera
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NO EXIT: A Helluva Great Time at the American Conservatory Theatre
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AUDITIONS: San Francisco Opera seeks physically fit male supernumeraries for Wagner’s Die Walküre and Götterdämmerung
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TIIT HELIMETS – An Interview with “Prince Edvard” of SF Ballet’s THE LITTLE MERMAID
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KIRK DOUGLAS – On stage at the Castro Theatre, July 24th
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NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE CENTER – Announces 2011-12 Pride Season
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JOAN and SANFORD I. WEILL – Contribute $12 Million Dollars to Sonoma State University for Green Music Center
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NEW ON CD – Icicle Creek Piano Trio: Haydn, Turina, Shostakovich
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"THE HOMECOMING" – A Home Run at A.C.T.
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YURI POSSOKHOV'S RAkU — Stunning World Premiere At San Francisco Ballet
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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=105461

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Opens September 9th with with Iréne Theorin as “Turandot”
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BUDRUS – A Documentary on uniting Palestinians and Israelis
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CAMERON CARPENTER – Organist signs with CAMI Music and Konzertdirektion Schmid
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=102415

A Conversation with Elza van den Heever
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=99268

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

SHREK THE MUSICAL – Ogres and Freaks and Spells, “Oh, my!”
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THE BLACK SWAN – Don’t Save The Drippings
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CD: MAHLER’S “Songs With Orchestra” – SF Symphony Completes Mahler Recording Project
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95840

KARITA MATTILA – “Viva To The Diva!”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=95163

CLUB FOOT ORCHESTRA – A Conversation with Richard Marriot
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=94863

WEST SIDE STORY – Most of it, anyway
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PLÁCIDO DOMINGO – An Interview with the Tenor turned Baritone for “Cyrano”
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Dr. ELISA STEPHENS – My Visit with the President
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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

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

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
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THE RUFFATTI ORGAN & CAMERON CARPENTER at DAVIES HALL
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JEANETTE MacDONALD – Hollywood Diva Remembered at the War Memorial Opera House
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AMANDA McBROOM – A rose for new CD, "CHANSON"
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CAMERON CARPENTER – Stellar Organist Returns to San Francisco
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HANDEL'S "ORLANDO" – An Interview with Conductor Nicholas McGagen
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CAMERON CARPENTER – At Davies Symphony Hall
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PEARLS OVER SHANGHAI – An Interview with Russell Blackwood
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PIANIST MISHA DICHTER – A Conversation
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ZUILL BAILEY – A Conversation
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DAVID PERRY – On the “Dos and Don’ts of Social Media”
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NATHAN GUNN – Sings Schubert's Die Schöne Müllerin
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CAMINOS FLAMENCOS – A Conversation with Yaelisa
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A CONVERSATION WITH LUCIE ARNAZ – This Week At The Rrazz Room
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JANE MONHEIT – An Interview
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DIANE BAKER – Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
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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
SanFranciscoSentinel.com
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65