at least sixteen bars - 2008/04/01 20:46okay so I'm trying out for the SoM and I just found out that I have to prepare a song that best shows off my voice, with at least 16 bars, b/c they might not stop us at 16 bars and now I'm confused.
I planned on taking a few songs including "How Lovely to be a Woman" -BBB "One Boy" - BBB (is a duet) "the Simple Joys of Maidenhood" - Camelot "Notice Me, Horton" - Seussical ( Maybe) "I Feel Pretty" - WSS
But now I'm not sure if I should take these, which one i should sing, and whether I should start at the beginning or sing the best 16 bars and continue from there. ONe of the downfalls of these songs is that none of them have REALLY good 16 bar cuts = [ PLEASE HELP!to Fly you don't need WINGS...only DREAMS!!
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
itshairspray
User Supporting Player
Posts: 139
Karma: 2
Re:at least sixteen bars - 2008/04/02 00:42"One Boy" from BBB is not a duet, but a trio. It is sung by Kim, Deborah Sue and Alice. But you can sing it, I'm sure. But, I'm thinking that you should stick to Rodgers and Hammerstein or Rodgers and Hart. Something of the same duo or the same time period of Sound of Music's creation (not the movie but the actual musical. Mary Martin played the original Maria on Broadway.)Upcoming: ??? (You Can't Take It With You) Auditions are coming up. Currently: Starting School Past: Henrietta (Honk Jr.)
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
JIJane
User Supporting Player
Posts: 110
Karma: 2
Re:at least sixteen bars - 2008/04/02 05:30They are all fine choices really apart from the song from Seussical. I feel pretty may be a tad overdone but if you do it well that shouldn't matter in this situation. Usually 16 bars means the last part of the song with the final (usually a top) note. However, it depends on your panel. Some panels like you to start at the beginning and just keep on singing until they cut you off - which may be 16 bars or longer.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
DramaticlyMe
User Newbie
Posts: 11
Karma: 0
Re:at least sixteen bars - 2008/04/02 12:33thanks! I think I'm going to sing, "The Simple Joys of Maidenhood". I'll just practice the whole song & practice the best 16 bars, then see what everyone else at the audition is doing.to Fly you don't need WINGS...only DREAMS!!
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Clink
User Chorus Member
Posts: 35
Karma: 0
Re:at least sixteen bars - 2008/04/02 16:39This is what I find too, they want you to start somewhere in the song so you know you will sing your best 16 bars BUT they want you to continue until they cut you off or finish the song. Probably a good sign if they allow you to finish.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
jameala
User Supporting Player
Posts: 122
Karma: 4
Re:at least sixteen bars - 2008/04/02 17:59DramaticlyMe, "Notice Me Horton" (Seussical) would not be my first choice. When I auditioned for Seussical, a young lady used that as her audition song. I was sitting waiting for my audition and from my chair, I sang all of the Horton parts. I got a part and she didn't (I don't think my singing Horton's part had much to do with it). Sing Solla Sollew if you like Seussical that much.
You know I knew that "you can sing ANY 16 bars" rule, but I never took it to heart. I am working up "Let Them Hear You" (Ragtime) and I think I will "limit" my audition piece to the part after the key change.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Jbug
User Supporting Player
Posts: 150
Karma: 2
Re:at least sixteen bars - 2008/04/02 21:21I'm going to advertise this book. I think I've written about it before. It's called "The 16-BAR Theatre Audition". It comes in 4 volumes for each voice type, Soprano, Mezzo Soprano (Belter), Tenor, & Baritone/Bass. Everyone should have the book in their range.
In the book is a perfect 16 bar version of "Simple Joys of...", "How Lovely..." and "One Boy". Music arrangements all done for you in published form. Sorry, no WWS or Seussical are in the book - they can't do everything. But there are 97 other soprano songs in the soprano version of the book.
Now, as for 16 bars. They wouldn't tell folks to prepare 16 bars unless they want to hear everyone sing a full song. It is wise to prepare your BEST 16 bars. Often they allow you to go over a little if you are at the end of the song or if the song is an up-tempo song and goes fast. What you want to do is show them your best. You don't want to sing past 16 bars and not get to the big finish before they cut you off!!!!!! It's best to give them a good beginning, and a great ending. Much more professional. Don't overstay your welcome and drag on and on. They can tell all they need to hear within 16 bars. Believe me, if you sound good, they will ask for more either at that moment or at the call back. Have other songs prepared. Go in - be confident - knock them dead.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
DramaticlyMe
User Newbie
Posts: 11
Karma: 0
Re:at least sixteen bars - 2008/04/02 21:48Thanks! I've changed my mind again I think I'll sing "It Might as Well Be Spring", but I'm having such trouble with these songs because I'm not a soprano, I'm a mezzo and even though i can reach these notes i'm not very confident about them. Thanks for that book suggestion! I'll definetly check it out.to Fly you don't need WINGS...only DREAMS!!
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
itshairspray
User Supporting Player
Posts: 139
Karma: 2
Re:at least sixteen bars - 2008/04/02 22:13I'm a mezzo and I can sing "It Might As Well Be Spring." The notes don't go past that 'D' a second octave above middle C. It's not very hard, a note from one mezzo to another. ;D
Post edited by: itshairspray, at: 2008/04/02 22:15Upcoming: ??? (You Can't Take It With You) Auditions are coming up. Currently: Starting School Past: Henrietta (Honk Jr.)
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
DramaticlyMe
User Newbie
Posts: 11
Karma: 0
Re:at least sixteen bars - 2008/04/02 22:39thanks for the info, fellow Mezzo! I've been practicing it and I think I'll take it and "I feel Pretty" and maybe one other song... just in case someone else steals the other two.
where should I start in "It might as Well be spring" I'm thinking either the very beginning or the 'I'm as restless...' part, any thoughts?to Fly you don't need WINGS...only DREAMS!!
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
itshairspray
User Supporting Player
Posts: 139
Karma: 2
Re:at least sixteen bars - 2008/04/03 08:41I would say at "I'm as restless" because it goes into "I'm as Jumpy as a puppet on a string" and that parts shows the range. But, to be sure, I'll look when I get home and then cut a good piece for you. I love that song and I'm glad it is not overused. :]Upcoming: ??? (You Can't Take It With You) Auditions are coming up. Currently: Starting School Past: Henrietta (Honk Jr.)
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Jbug
User Supporting Player
Posts: 150
Karma: 2
Re:at least sixteen bars - 2008/04/03 11:11"It Might As Well Be Spring" is already cut and ready in the Soprano version of the 16-Bar book I already mentioned. It starts at:
I'm as busy as a spider spinning day dreams, I'm as giddy as a baby on a swing. I haven't seen a crocus or a rosebud, or a robin on the wing, But I feel so gay in a melancholy way that it might as well be spring. It might as well be spring!
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
DramaticlyMe
User Newbie
Posts: 11
Karma: 0
Re:at least sixteen bars - 2008/04/03 22:29Thanks! for the info and insight, I like how the "I'm as restless as a willow in a windstorm" part kind of describes how she's feeling, but the part that Jbug suggested has that nice up and down part at the end... I guess I'll practice both of them and try it out on my family and friends, see which one they enjoy and feel more.
Plus, does anyone know of a version other than the Shirly Jones one? and if so do you consider it better or worse (like to listen to)?to Fly you don't need WINGS...only DREAMS!!
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
brucecriesxout
User Supporting Player
Posts: 284
Karma: 7
Re:at least sixteen bars - 2008/04/24 12:59Jbug wrote: I'm going to advertise this book. I think I've written about it before. It's called "The 16-BAR Theatre Audition". It comes in 4 volumes for each voice type, Soprano, Mezzo Soprano (Belter), Tenor, & Baritone/Bass. Everyone should have the book in their range.
Agreed JIJane this book is fabulous!Name: Bruce Current Production: None. Upcoming Auditions:
The Butler Did It Singing (Chandler)
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
