Suggestions for audition song please

[MrsMuddle]

DS is auditioning for a national choir in January, and he's trying to choose a song. The guidelines say that it's best not to sing one from the musicals or a pop song, but something "classical".

He's 14 with a deep singing voice, if that helps. And we're in Scotland, so maybe something with a Scottish slant would be good.

I'm tone deaf and not much help, but I know that one of you will come up with the answer.

Thanks

Hopeful bump

What about a hymn?

That's a good idea. Can you suggest one that would show his vocal range to its full advantage? Embarrassingly, the only hymn-like song I know is All Things Bright And Beautiful. I do have a friend who is a church organist though, so if you could suggest a couple, I could ask for her opinion too.

Thanks for answering.

What is his working vocal range? What style does he feel most comfortable in? Is he haveing any lessons or working towards any particular Grade exam at the moment.

If he sirens from his lowest to his highest note where are the cracks in his voice (which notes)

It depends a bit what singing he has done before and what he is comfortable with. Does he have a music teacher at school who can advise and who would work on his audition piece with him? If not, I'm sure your organist friend will be invaluable - perhaps she might play through a few things with him and help him to decide.

If he goes for a hymn, he could try Jerusalem or Lead Me Lord. Alternatively, something like Handel's Where'er You Walk might be good, or maybe some Dowland. For something Scottish Ye Banks and Braes is lovely, although more folk than classical.

V exciting - when is the audition?

By the way schubertline.co.uk has a huge range of classical songs to download which can be transposed into any key - might be useful.

He tells me he's a tenor,. and that he has a range of 3-4 octaves. His usual style is musicals - he's been in various G&S, Oliver, Calamity Jane, Les Mis etc, and for pleasure he sings things that he can play on the piano at the same time. He can turn his hand to most things, but definitely veers towards cruise ship entertainer!

He doesn't have formal singing lessons but is grade 5 piano, and also plays flute, clarinet and guitar. DH is quite musical, so hi must take after him.

He's going to speak to his school music teacher (he's doing "voice" as one of his two instruments for his O Grade music) and also his piano teacher, and we'll have a look at schubertline too, which I'm sure will be very useful.

Audition is not till Jan, so he has plenty of time to choose one, but left to his own devices, he'd decide the night before. That's why I'm trying to come up with a selection that he can choose from.

Thanks for your help, everyone.

How wonderful!

Where'er You Walk might well be a good one, but I'm sure his teachers will have some good advice.

Good luck.

Zepherine, just to let you know that his school music teacher and his piano teacher both suggested Where'er You Walk, so it was obviously a very good suggestion from you.

Thanks,

My love is like a red, red rose by Robert Burns

Oh good. Hope he does really well - it will be a fantastic experience for him. He sounds very talented (and 3 to 4 octaves is a huge range!)

Oh how lovely! Ds1 has just quit school choir and I'm gutted, I loved listening to them. My favourite hymn is "For all the Saint who From their labours rest" lyric and a link to the tune are here. It's quite old-fashioned but has a good melody with some jumps to show off his vocal range. I'm sure your organist friend would be able to do it in the right key. Good luck to your ds!

UPDATE!

Just to let you all know that he did sing Where'er You Walk, and we just found out today that he has been accepted for the Scottish National Boys choir.

He's delighted, and I'm chuffed to bits, so thanks for all your help.

AP (aka MrsMuddle)