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Acting in Plays, Singing/Honk! Jr
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Question
Dear Sean,
this year my school is doing Honk! Jr as it's play and I I'm trying to figure out an audition song. I can sing from an F3 to a B5 and I am more comfortable in a higher range. I have no idea what songs I should sing or what part in this play I should even try out for. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks a ton,
Emily
Hi, Emily –
Thank you for the question.
Go to YouTube.com. Look under "Honk the musical" .There are a number of clips that will give you a solid idea of the nature of the show and its characters. You may wind up hating it. I did.
Nevertheless, given the stretch of your range, some of the larger roles to be aware of include: Dot, Ida, Lowbutt, Maureen, Penny, and Queenie. There are also a few character parts and a brace of ducklings.
Once you get the exaggerated mannerisms involved and the comic nature of the voices, then you will have a better idea of what you need to demonstrate at your audition. You can take most any standard Broadway song in your range and then tweak it to the role(s) you want to be considered for.
I am a vocal coach to working singers in the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm also the Music and Theatre critic for SanFranciscoSentinel.com and Classical music reviewer for Examiner.com: http://www.examiner.com/user/4557381/articles
Check out my recent interview with popular TV host, David Perry, on "Ten Percent":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKeeTYTYMAI
Below are links to my articles and youtubes on San Francisco's entertainment and cultural scene:
'Unfaithfully Yours' – Classic Overtures at Noir City X
http://www.examiner.com/classical-music-in-san-francisco/unfaithfully-yours-clas
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Announces 2012/13 Season
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166876
SF Symphony – elevates Debussy's "Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian" to ecstatic heights
http://www.examiner.com/classical-music-in-san-francisco/sf-symphony-elevates-de
EDDIE MULLER – On the Slow Death of 35mm – An Interview with the "Czar of Noir"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166840
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE – 75th Anniversary – "Bridging Us All"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166824
CHRISTINE EBERSOLE – Bay Area Cabaret presents Tony Award winner at the Venetian Room, January 15th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166791
Best In Women's Classical Vocals 2011
http://www.examiner.com/classical-music-in-san-francisco/best-women-s-classical-
"Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien" – At Davies Symphony Hall, Featuring Damian Smith of SF Ballet, January 12th–14th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166732
NOIR CITY – 10th Anniversary, 10-Day Festival at the Castro Theatre, begins January 20th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166799
NATIONAL FILM REGISTRY – Selects 25 Films for Preservation
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166748
JOHN E. BUCHANAN, Jr. – Director of the Legion of Honor and de Young Museum loses battle with cancer
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166762
A Spectacular Christmas Eve at Davies Symphony Hall
http://www.examiner.com/classical-music-in-san-francisco/a-spectacular-christmas
NEW YEAR'S EVE MASQUERADE BALL – Violinist Nicola Benedetti with the San Francisco Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166714
CD, JAKE SCHEPPS – An Evening in the Village: The Music of Béla Bartók
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166708
NEW YEAR'S EVE MASQUERADE BALL – Violinist Nicola Benedetti with the San Francisco Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166714
"XANADU THE MUSICAL" – Now at the New Conservatory Theatre Center
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166701
'TWAS THE NIGHT – Celebrate Christmas with the San Francisco Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166688
THE NUTCRACKER – Confection Perfection at San Francisco Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166662
DEANNA DURBIN – The Leading Lady of NOIR CITY XMAS, Wednesday at The Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166623
CD Review – A STEINWAY CHRISTMAS ALBUM ★★★★
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166619
MELODY MOORE – Opera Star to Appear with San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus in Holiday Concerts
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166598
CD: SANCHO PANÇA – 18th Century Opera ★★★
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166581
SF Opera Center Announces the 2012 Adler Fellows
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166562
CALIFORNIA DREAMING – At the Contemporary Jewish Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166550
BERNINI'S MEDUSA – Now at the Legion of Honor through February 12th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166541
A Conversation with Artist Elaine Badgley Arnoux — "The People of San Francisco, Lives of Accomplishment"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166486
"THE ARTIST" – Silents, please! – A masterpiece in B&W, starring Jean Dujardin
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166452
THOMAS JANE – An interview with the star of HBO's "Hung" and 3D Thriller "Dark Country"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166393
CARMEN – Closing the season at San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166277
MAHARAJA – The Splendor of India's Royal Courts, at the Asian Art Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166137
KRISTIN CLAYTON– A Conversation with "The Diva" of Teatro ZinZanni
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166029
"XERXES" – At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=165997
CD Release: "Feels Like Home", The Celtic Tenors ★★★★
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=165722
DON GIOVANNI – It's smart and new at San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=165485
"HOUDINI: Art and Magic" – At the Contemporary Jewish Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=164754
LEANNE BORGHESI – SF Bay Area Star on the Rise
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=163898
"REAL STEEL" – Reels of money-making crap starring Hugh Jackman
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=163408
CAMERON CARPENTER – International Superstar Organist plays "Phantom of the Opera" at Davies Symphony Hall, Friday, October 30th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=162920
"LUCREZIA BORGIA" – A Hard Act To Swallow at San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=160261
EDDIE MULLER and "Fear Over Frisco" – An Interview with the Czar of Noir
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=161026
CD Release – Jacques Loussier Trio – "Schumann: Kinderszenen"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=160633
LEAH CROCETTO – An Interview with "Liu" in SF Opera's TURANDOT
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=159189
HENRY PHIPPS – A Conversation with Featured Boy Soprano in SF Opera's "Heart of a Soldier"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=158231
"HEART OF A SOLDIER" – A Rapturous World Premiere At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=157139
MEET MAESTRO NICOLA LUISOTTI – San Francisco Opera opens 2011/12 season with Puccini's "Turandot"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=156522
"The Glory of Love" – A Salute to Jacqueline Fontaine
http://youtu.be/KuxxqmpUY_M
"MOZART'S SISTER" – Third string cinema
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=155054
SHN Presents – STOMP and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Musical
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=153764
MEROLA OPERA’S GRAND FINALE – Meet Daniel Curran and Mark Diamond
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=150518
“HE WHO GETS SLAPPED” – A conversation with composer and pianist Matti Bye
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=141506
HEIDI MELTON – An Interview with “Sieglinde” in San Francisco Opera’s DIE WALKÜRE
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=136787
MARY GIBBONEY – An Interview with the star of “ABSOLUTELY SAN FRANCISCO”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=138339
TIIT HELIMETS – An Interview with “Prince Edvard” of SF Ballet’s THE LITTLE MERMAID
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=120731
ZHENG CAO – A Conversation with A Miracle Artist
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=111219
MELODY MOORE – A Conversation with San Francisco Opera Star
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=110816
MARNIE BRECKENRIDGE – An Interview with “La Princesse” of Philip Glass’ Orphée
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=109326
A Conversation with Elza van den Heever
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=99268
CLUB FOOT ORCHESTRA – A Conversation with Richard Marriot
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=94863
PLÁCIDO DOMINGO – An Interview with the Tenor turned Baritone for “Cyrano”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=93275
Dr. ELISA STEPHENS – A Visit with the President of the Academy of Art University
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=90791
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
SABINA ALLEMANN – Former SF Ballet Ballerina Returns In A.C.T.'s "The Tosca Project"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=76516
AMANDA McBROOM – A conversation on her recording of songs by Jacques Brel
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68879
CAMERON CARPENTER – An interview with Grammy-nominated organist
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68311
HANDEL'S "ORLANDO" – An Interview with Conductor Nicholas McGegan
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=67774
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
CAMINOS FLAMENCOS – A Conversation with Yaelisa
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=51761
JANE MONHEIT – An Interview
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=48083
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
THIS GUN FOR HIRE, 1942 – Looking at "Now you see it, now you don't"
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
Best regards,
Seán Martinfield
SanFranciscoSentinel.com
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65
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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
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