Hi! I got some great advice last time I asked about what to sing next, I have had a look at some Faure as recommended (les berceaux specifically, I love it!) and I'm still working on some of the other suggestions.

The thing now though, is that having got into my first choice uni, which happens to have a very late start (October 12th!) I'm going to be at home, and still a part of my musical theatre group for two more concerts - and I really want to pick a solo and go out on a good note. The only problem is, that since my last exam I seem to have lost all confidence in my voice - probably mostly because I've been working on some more difficult songs. The next concert is September 20th (soonish) and I really want to learn a new solo - but I want to be able to perform it confidently, and so I think I'm looking for something very easy - does anyone have any ideas? It's really informal, but I'll have to do a sort of audition, I don't think it's too scary, but since loads of people want a solo this year, it might be more difficult than in the past.

I'm an alto or a mezzo, and I already have lots of music - the scores of several musicals, and some big musical theatre anthologies. The only thing limiting my choices, other than standard, is the fact that tons of people who want to sing solos have picked already.

Hope someone can help!

*Edit* It seems like I'm constantly asking people what I should sing - I have actually been looking myself too... but I can't find anything just right, and each of my own choices seems to make me even more despondent, I have a knack for picking things that are difficult, or that I love, but are out of my range, or that don't suit my voice (I'm useless at big belt-y songs). I've just started looking at "But Not For Me" which is a possibility, but the CD is scratched, so I can't hear the backing track, so I'll have to wait to hear how it goes...

How about something from Jekyll and Hyde?

A new life and Someone like you would probably suit your voice if you're singing the wicked number.

Also, leavin's not the only way to go is a nice one from an older musical, Big River - would probably suit too.


Just a quick edit : I noticed that you said you're useless at big belt-y songs - is this because your teacher has never actually shown you how to belt properly? You're certainly old enough to be starting to learn.

I'm just going to download those songs to listen to (legally, my dad pays for napster, don't worry), and thanks for the help.

As for belting - it's been touched on, and I can do it, I know how to approach it safely, but I've only ever used it on one song - my grade 7 musical theatre piece "If I were a bell". I haven't ever been taught it exactly, my teacher just sort of said "can you belt?" and I did... I can't do it very well though, I can only belt up to about a C or D on the stave, and my natural passagio is around an A... Also I have a very quiet voice, and I don't project too well, due mostly to lack of confidence, which I recognise is a really big problem that I'm working on.

I can sing the Wicked song now, but it doesn't sound the way I'd hope because of the belting issues.

There is a really nice song from 'Little women the musical' that one of my friends has sung in a school concert before called 'Here Alone'. I don't think it goes that high, but it is really nice

Thanks, I'll look it up!

Rosfrog, I LOVE "Someone Like You" Have bought and printed off the sheet music and I'm definitely learning it - I'm still open to lots of suggestions, but this is a definite contender - and in the easiest, middle part of my range too!

Good luck with your songs Lucky. I have to say that I would not be happy with a teen using belt though.

Which of the anthologies have you got?

Sorry - I don't know about Musical Theatre repertoire so can't advise on specifics.

You don't always need to sing a big showy song to get a good audience response. Sometimes a well loved quiet number will get the audience to sigh appreciatevely before they burst into applause. Of course if everyone else offers a "showy" number you will be able to stand out.

Val

Petrat, thanks for the good luck... Maybe the issue of teens using belt is why my teacher's only ever asked me to use it sparingly on one song? I don't know... I'm 18, so though my voice is not entirely developed, I am at least an older teen...

I have "The Professional Singer's Audition Book" (I know I'm not a professional singer it was a Christmas present, but a useful one)... and "The Big Book of Broadway" and "Broadway Songs for Female Singers".

Val_Alto, I know what you mean, I think my voice just suits quiet songs better, and there are lots and lots of good ones to choose from.

How about "Midnight" from Lloyd Webber's Cats? That's so easy to learn and is always a hit with audiences.

Memory? I love that song! Sadly though, we're doing a SATB performance of it, with the whole group, so I couldn't really do it as a solo... I've absolutely learnt it though, the solo version, and I plan to use it in future concerts with other groups.

One of my favourite show songs is "Send In the Clowns" from Sondheims' A Little Light Music.

It's one I'm aiming to learn "properly" soon. If sung with meaning it's enough to reduce a grown man to tears

How about either 'A Change in Me' or 'Heaven help my heart' - sometimes audiences appreciate something a bit different that they might not know.

Oh, that's a good idea! I started having a look at that after my grade 5 theory exam, but various things got in the way... it might be another nice one to pick up!




What is "A Change in Me" from? I have the music for "Heaven Help My Heart", though I don't know it very well. I'll have a listen and see what I think.

Beauty and the Beast (stage version)

"Memory" ! That's the correct title. I think that my midnight is fading.

Nice as it is, Send in the Clowns is really intended for an older singer who has been knocked around by life. Would "Cain't Say No" be any good? You could have some fun with that.

Just the song for me at the moment then!

Hmm, maybe not Send In the Clowns then? Well I can still learn it for fun anyway.

Just a few thoughts that may or may not be any use at all:

The Rose
Wind beneath my wings
My man's gone, (Porgy and Bess)
( Yes I know it is a widow's song, but quite challenging and gorgeous.)
I will always love you, (Dolly Parton)
Je ne regret rien

And with the sudden rush of patriotism coming over this country after Beijing:

Fairest Isle

I love The Rose! I have the music for it as well, so it's a definite possibility! The musical director and his partner always sing "Wind Beneath My Wings" and I think he'd refuse to let me sing "I Will Always Love You", because much as I love it (the Dolly version at least) he'd say I made too much of a fuss over having to learn "My Heart Will Go On" to sing a sappy song.

I actually know all the words to "Je ne regrette rien", since we watched La Mome in French last year... is that sad?

Requires a belt on the D flat if you're going to sing it properly, though.

Belting at Lucky's age is anatomically no problem - she's easily old enough, as long as she can assure enough false cord retraction, there's no danger at all.




I agree with both of these suggestions - particularly with the chess one, though - that's just 'cos I'm a bit in love with that musical.


I agree lucky, someone like you is fantastic. But then, Jekyll and Hyde... I still remember the hairs standing up on the back of my neck the first time I sang 'I need to know' - lovely music.

I have never seen Jekyll and Hyde, but now I really want to! I'm absolutely going to learn all the songs one way or another too. For some of the other suggestions I've had today, I can't listen because napster's stopped working... I'm actually terrified that it could have gone out of business and I'll lose ALL my music... but I'll listen to A Change In Me, and subsequent suggestions that I hadn't heard when it gets fixed.

Thanks all!

It may not be music theatre style but I think that Memory sounds far nicer sung more classically. I hate hearing it belted. So very un-cat-like.

It does sound nice sung with a lyric sound too - I have a soprano friend who does a lovely version in Eflat.

I do have to say I prefer the drama of the belt just on that one note after the orchestral build up (which isn't in the wretched score - why do they leave the best bits out) - I always find it more gripping that way. In the same way I'd find Donizetti less beautiful if it was sung in a musical theatre style.

Horses for courses, I suppose.