These may sound unusual for an audition but my DD has used them with good success (at least enough to get callbacks) (at 7 and 8 years old)

Zip a dee doo dah
Chitty chitty bang bang

Heck...we've seen girls belt out Mary had a little lamb and get called back. (although I don't think I'd recommend that) It's all about the stage presence.

I think the Bob Marks quote you are talking about is "No one was ever hired for a musical just because they sang a great song; it is invariably the combination of song and performance."
This is right on his web site and it stresses the importance of finding the right song and performing it well. I had to check because I couldn't imagine Bob or any vocal coach downplaying the importance of finding the right song, it's what we pay them to do.
As the mom of 3 kids in the business whom I think are talented, I share information quite freely, especially to those that are new to the business. I often tell friends about auditions my kids may be going on when I feel there child should be seen for the part as well. Some of them have even book it. That being said, I am in agreement with Somuchtodo. We've worked very hard developing their audition repertoire at a costs of both time and money. I am not threatened by other children singing the same song as my child, but I want them to go in and sing something that showcases their talent while being fresh and not over sung, It definitely peaks a CDs interest rather than hearing yet the same song for the umpteenth time. While I don't find it rude to ask questions about repertoire on a message board (hey when my DD ages out of these songs I'll be happy to share) I am not openly going to share this info now. To say that this is because I am threatened because my child isn't really talented is ridiculous. JMHO.

quote:

Parents of children with real talent would not feel threatned by others knowing what songs they sing.

I am both saddened and amused.
Saddened because I think that in general, I am a nice person and do try to be helpful on this board and amused - because, well, that's pretty funny.


My point, which apparently was missed, is that songs ARE monologues. And that there are plenty out there to find. Just don't look where everyone else is looking.

Just to clarify, I did not get the quote off Mark's website as I didnt even know it was on there. I quoted him from a conversation I had with him directly.

"I never saw a kid get the role because they sang the perfect song". Those were his words.

He also went on to say, "A child can sing Happy Birthday and book the role".

I do not believe he was downplaying the importance of finding the right song, he was simply saying that kids dont book the roles based on what songs they sing.

I will retract my last comment.
I do agree that it does take alot of time and $ to build a repertoire and of course CD's do not want to hear overdone songs.
While I have no problem sharing, I fully understand why some people do. I realize it has nothing to do with feeling threatned.

With that being said..
To say that it is considered impolite to ask another child what song they are singing, well.. now that I just find laughable.

Thats amusing!

Somuchtodo,

You've always been very kind and helpful, while giving great advice on this board and I'm glad when you share your knowledge, opinions and concerns. Please know that you are appreciated.

I think others just want to help, too, and see no harm in listing a few song ideas.

Also, for the people looking for song ideas, I think what it all comes down to is that no matter what the song, as long as it is age appropriate, the singer needs to find a song that is the right fit for them and even if it is a song that is oversung, if the singer nails it, the CD will take note and possibly ask for more.

quote:

To say that it is considered impolite to ask another child what song they are singing, well.. now that I just find laughable.

Depends on what level you're auditioning at. There's a big difference between a bunch of girls in an open call and the small handful of girls that are being sent in consistently by the agencies. Because my DD is charactery we go to both levels. With the top kids, its not like what they're singing is a big secret, it more like it's not anyone else's business. And somuch is totally right, its considered rude to ask. Maybe LA is different.

And I know Bob Marks knows his stuff, we've worked with him, but I think he's in a way, wrong. For example, at the '13' audition, they told the girls, "if your planning on singing Good Morning Baltimore, don't." Sometimes kids DON'T book based on the songs they sing. And that's no matter how well they sing them.

While I will tell anyone who asks what my daughter is singing, I will admit to being annoyed when she sang a certain unique cut of a song (that not a lot of kids sing) in front of all the girls at a callback -- and then the next time this group of girls were auditioning, one girl sang the exact same cut of the same song that my daughter sang. But there's no way to control that when the girls are singing in front of each other, and they are savvy enough to identify a song that they may think they can do just as well.

I find it very rude to ask a child at an audition what they are singing. What would be your reasons for asking? Are you pumping the kid for information or comparing their audition song choice to your child's? An audition can be stressful enough for a child and is not the place to do this. There are a handful of moms we try to stay away from since they are known to pump kids for information and even psych them out. It can be as subtle as a look that says "you're really going to sing that?" or as obvious as telling the child "Don't you think you're a little old to be singing that?"
Fortunately these parents are not the norm, but I consider it bad etiquette to ask this at an audition.

I agree it isnt appropriate to ask at an audition. I would never even think to nor want to approach a child at an audition.
I may have worded it wrong, but I was referring more to coming on the board to ask for song suggestions. I dont see anything wrong with that.
While some may not want to share, there are some who dont mind and are happy to help.
It is a personal choice.

That's what pissed me off about this thread. Somuch NEVER said that there was any problem with asking on the board, she just said (kinda paraphrasing) that you're not gonna find a special song asking on a message board. AND THEN, she SHARED where to look for the songs that are not known by EVERYONE.

Then she gets accused of having an untalented kid and being 'threatened' (if you saw her kid on stage, you would be mortified that you even implied that!)

And then she gets a teenager, who apparently thinks that "there are only so many songs out there" (sigh) questioning her on audition etiquette.

When someone posts a response to a question, it should be read carefully before anyone goes on the attack.

I questioned no one on their audition etiquette. I merely helped the original poster out by listing some songs to consider as she asked, and was then chastised by another poster for it, which wasn't called for. There's no reason to point fingers and get nasty. Some of us feel differently than others, what is wrong with that?

Thanks Tuff for your spirited defense... it seems like we can barely get through a thread these days without a lot of controversy.

DancingButterfly here's some links you might find helpful:
http://www.musicals.net/
http://www.musicaltheatreaudition.com/
http://www.musical-theater-kids.com/
http://www.accubroadway.com/

I wasnt accusing any one person of having an untalented kid. It was a general statement.

My point was, its talent that will ultimately get you the role not song choice.

Do you watch American Idol? They are constantly telling these 'talented' singers that they "made the wrong song choice" and it knocks them out of the competition!

If talent ultimately prevailed, my DD would be cast as the lead every time. (Yes, I'm almost kidding.) SO much more goes into casting.

You don't seem to have a clue, and have said some uncool things - BUT you haven't posted a single song choice. Since you're a sharer, what's your DD's repertoire?

Since this thread has gone beyond the original question, I just wanted to add a tip that the singers in my family do at auditions, whether it's for film, community theatre or Broadway. If asked what song we are singing, we answer that we haven't decided yet and will know when we get in the room. It has worked well for us and usually gets the point across to those that are asking. It also helps keep us from getting any kind of feedback that could distract our concentration from the audition.