I am starting work on Grade 8 musical theatre and am a bit stuck on picking a 4th piece. So far I am considering:

The sun whose rays (Mikado) 1885
Adelaide's Lament 1950
either Someone else's story or Unexpected song ... still deciding - 1980ish

I need 4 contrasting pieces / genres so I was perhaps thinking of something modern and perhaps upbeat but have hit a blank spot. I have a soprano voice with a good range.

Anyone any suggestions?

Thanks

Elizabeth

Perhaps you could tell us the other 3 peces you have chosen?

sorry, maybe I didn't make it clear in the way I wrote, these are my 3 pieces so far and I now need a 4th to complement these.

Yes, there is a bit of a gap there between the first two so I could slot something in. I had through of Summertime, but was worried my programme might turn out to be too sad! My teacher and I did discuss Wicked but she felt there wasn't anything suitable for my age - perhaps I should add that I am a middle aged, middle sized lady!

I had thought of "I could have danced" from My Fair Lady" but then thought i might keep it for my Diploma. Anyway i think I am looking for something as lively as this. My teacher sent me off to research Sister Act in case there might be something?... not sure!

Maybe there is nothing to stop me doing a song in the 1960-1970 era??? I had originally suggested "i could be surpirsingly good for you"(Evita) which I love and which has a nice Latin feel, but my teacher thought I could off show my voice more.

Eliz

How about a fine fine line from Avenue Q? much of the musical is fairly risque but that's a really nice one well I love it anyway

ok, will have a look at it

Thanks!

Have a look at some Kander and Ebb stuff, The Rink has some gorgeous songs.
Alot of people do Wicked these days so maybe think of a different path.
Something from 42nd street. Quarter to Nine?
Cole Porter ?

It's a lovely song, but far too low for a soprano. Just a thought - is "I could have danced" difficult enough for a diploma?
Do you have a syllabus handy? In the back there's a list of suggested songs which have been sung at particular grades. "I could have danced" is shown as 5-7, for instance.
What about "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" from Sondheim's Sweeny Todd?

I think if my memory is right "I could have danced all night" is on the DipLCM in classical singing. But I take your point!

Will have a look at Sweeny Todd, I am not familar with it!

Thanks

elizabeth

Some eyebrows may be raised at this suggestion - why not pinch a tenor piece? The Music of the Night from Phantom is a cracking song ranging over a couple of octaves. My wife has sung it as a sop.

yes I had thought about this as there are several "male" pieces that I like and that are upbeat, but as I need to be "in character" I doubt that they are translatable in the same was they are in the straight singing exams.

I am going now to have a look at Green Finch although when I looked it up on youtube I didn't like it much - but it might be different when I look at it in more detail. - I would like to go through it for repertoire anyway.

I have just come in from a performance of Oklahoma and quite fancied Many a New Day - keep humming it to myself!! Not sure if this is Grade 8 standard though.... need to check this out.

...... skulks thoughtfully off to piano .........

Elizabeth

I'm sure I've seen Many A New Day on a grade 7 or 8 list somewhere before. Can't remember which board though.
Also, if you watched the film version of Green Finch and Linnet Bird, it's really just not as good at all. I didn't like it when I watched the film, but having learnt the song myself, the show version is different, and I really love it.

Definitely agree - I am starting to like it now that I have been through it a few times!

I also liked "Show me" from My Fair Lady. Do you think this would be suitable for Grade 8?
E

just noticed that "just you wait" also from My Fair Lady is grad 6-8 in the LCM MT syllabus and it is a lively song with plenty of scope for actions so I have added it to the list of possibles!! Will take this to my teacher this week and we can have a look. I have also started to work these up a bit so she can see what suits my voice / age etc.

Thank goodness for the Singer's Musical Anthology series as I have all the music (plus backings for practice) at my finger tips!!!

Elizabeth