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Original poster

Which song for musical theatre audition?

36 replies

thirdistheonewiththehairychest · 23/09/2021 11:28

Hi,

My 10yo dd is applying for a performing arts scholarship and she's required to perform a contemporary musical theatre song.

We have narrowed it down a little, according to the songs she's familiar with, and I think she will learn/practise 3 of them in the run-up and then pick her most confident to do at the audition.

I know that what matters most is that the song reflects her personality and her ability to perform it, but do you think any of these would be worth avoiding? Either because they may have been over-done, because they're too childish, not up-beat enough or not contemporary enough?

Our thoughts so far are:
'When I grow up' from Matilda
'Somewhere over the rainbow' - from the Wizard of Oz
Can you feel the love tonight? from the Lion King
'Part of your world' from the Little Mermaid
'Ive got a golden ticket' from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Something from Hairspray, not sure which one yet.
'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' from Mary Poppins
'Any dream will do' from Joseph

Thanks for any comments - we're feeling a little out of our depth!

OP posts:
Furrybootsyecomfy · 23/09/2021 17:13

Would she consider a boy’s song? Electricity from Billy Elliot is lovely and is quite emotional.

Lonecatwithkitten · 23/09/2021 17:07

I agree with several other posters the song choices are quite obvious. We have been through sixth form MT auditions and now going through degree ones. She needs to stand out from the crowd - we learnt that at 11+ scholarship and fixed it for 13+.
The advice is the steer away from well known songs where you will be compared to the original and choose something that suits your casting type and you can make your own. The secret of happiness from Daddy Long Legs could be a good choice sung by a little girl in an orphanage - thoughtful song.

FusionChefGeoff · 23/09/2021 14:45

If you like little shop, Suddenly Seymour is an absolutely belting option but not v thoughtful Grin

dancingthroughthedark · 23/09/2021 14:44

Those songs are all a bit obvious I think, but without knowing a bit more about her it's hard to know what to suggest or what would suit her. Does she go to any sort of MT group at the moment? If so her teacher there is probably best placed to make suggestions. If there a lot of kids auditioning something a bit different will make her stand out

FortunesFave · 23/09/2021 14:34

@WhereTheFuck

I think a lot of those choices are perhaps a little obvious, sorry. The thing is that she doesn't want to sing the same song as lots of other kids do if possible. What about 'where is love' from Oliver? What kind of vocal range has she and what is her style - does she have a pure, clear voice or a more breathy, contemporary one?
Where is Love is very difficult. Is that in her comfortable range OP?

I was also thinking of Blousie's song from Bugsy...very nice song but quite sad in a sophisticated way. If she could pull that off it would be wonderful but it's again, not that easy.

WhereTheFuck · 23/09/2021 14:32

I think a lot of those choices are perhaps a little obvious, sorry. The thing is that she doesn't want to sing the same song as lots of other kids do if possible. What about 'where is love' from Oliver? What kind of vocal range has she and what is her style - does she have a pure, clear voice or a more breathy, contemporary one?

FortunesFave · 23/09/2021 14:31

Yes...get her to listen to the one I mentioned "The Girl I' Mean to Be"

It's a nice, thoughtful song...one they won't hear a lot of. I'd avoid Leona Lewis.

Original poster
thirdistheonewiththehairychest · 23/09/2021 14:27

She's very expressive and tends towards thoughtful songs rather than outrageous ones I would say. The song she's playing and singing on repeat at the moment for example is 'A moment like this' by Leona Lewis.

Another couple of ideas I've had are 'Somewhere that's green' from the Little Shop of Horrors or 'When you believe' from the Prince of Egypt.

I think I need to just get dd to sit down and listen to them all don't I? And see which ones click...

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 23/09/2021 11:42

the main thing is that she should love the song I think. And it should be one which she's very comfortable singing...don't worry if they've heard it before. They've heard them ALL before....what matters is giving her own, amazing performance.

Bramshott · 23/09/2021 11:42

I would honestly not overthink it - see which one suits her voice/range/personality the best and do that one. Good luck to your DD!

FortunesFave · 23/09/2021 11:41

What sort of personality has she? Is she sweet and quiet or loud and bubbly or somewhere in between? Is she capable of acting a bit outrageously? Or would she be more comfortable singing a sweet, thoughtful song?

There's The Girl I Mean to Be from The Secret Garden ...out of the ones you've mentioned, I don't see anything that makes me think Ah! Yes...good choice! I'd avoid Rainbow unless her voice is absolutely perfect and delectable...is it?