SONGS4 songs:
1 classical song, 1 contemporary song and 1 Music Theatre song 1 own choice AUSTRALIAN SINGERS - Please try to include a classical, contemporary, or music theatre song by an Australian composer. PERFORMANCE FOOTAGEAll performance footage needs to be in a single take with no editing of any kind. Your footage needs to be converted into a YouTube link which you will copy and paste into the application form. When uploading to Youtube, ensure the visibility setting is set to Unlisted. This ensures that your video will only be seen by those that are given the link.
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KEYS, BACKING TRACKS AND OTHER LANGUAGESSongs from the stage ie; opera; oratorio; G&S; Music Theatre can be sung in any key to suit the singer.
You may use backing tracks for your video. Should you choose to sing to backing tracks, be sure that they are in the same key as your sheet music and always purchase a quality track, or have one made especially for you, so your performance is not disadvantaged.
You can sing songs, originally in a foreign language, in English at this level and you are at liberty to modernize the words if you wish (“Thou” and “thee” can be “you”).
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PROGRAM NOTESUnderstanding the origins of your chosen songs, the audience they were written for, and so on will add to your connection with each song and thereby enhance your performance.
Gathering interesting information, including wiki references, translations, links and images is enjoyable and helps to reflect upon your learning journey.
These need to be cited as shown on the sample. Little tip - doing your program notes AS you are learning each song is way better than getting to them AFTER your performance is done and dusted! Program notes are marked out of 10. |
Consider your program as a wholeAt all levels you need to consider your program as a whole. Have a mix of tempi, a range of emotions, humour and dynamics. Variety is important, as is the order in which you choose to perform your songs.
3 Broad areas of AssessmentThere are three broad areas of assessment, each scored out of 30, that should be considered when choosing your songs:
Vocal Command (30 marks) Musical Security and Stylistic Nuance (30 marks) Communication and Entertainment (30 marks) Sometimes a song might be easy to sing musically and vocally, but the emotional challenge is high. Sometimes a song might be easy emotionally, but tricky musically and vocally. Sometimes a song might be easy vocally, but musically and emotionally taxing etc, etc.
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Songs won’t always tick all the boxes of criteria. That’s fine. If you’re finding a song a stroll in the park, chances are it’s too easy for the level you’re working towards. Alternatively, if the challenge you’ve given yourself is just not working, it might belong to the next level. Try not to get too bogged down.
Listen to Suggested Samples
Listen to the suggested samples for your level to find a starting point and take it from there.
Think of your program as a three course meal. Have something to settle you and your voice into the feast at the start. Have the weightier songs in the middle. With a colourful dessert at the end. This is only a suggestion, but a good one until you have gained experience and understand your voice and your strengths, musically and emotionally. |
SHEET MUSICAll levels require a single PDF of your legally obtained sheet music, in the order in which you are singing your program. Illegal sheet music deprives composers of their livelihood.
If your music is not licensed with your name, you need to write your source on the first page by naming the website (even if it is out of copyright), inserting a receipt as proof of purchase or, a photo of the cover from a song book which you own if you have scanned a pdf from it. 
Kate Sadler in action
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A NOTE ABOUT THE SUGGESTED SAMPLES FOR THE INITIAL LEVELThe songs listed below are merely a guide to the level of musical and vocal ability at your stage of progress.
Where possible they are generic and can be sung by any voice type. You do not have to sing any of the songs listed. |
GET THE KEY THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOUIt is highly likely that the artists singing in the YouTube reference links will not be singing the song in a key that is right for you. This will also be true for YouTube clips you find when you are researching your songs.
Check with your teacher before purchasing your sheet music, especially if it’s from a site where there is no facility for transposing to another key. |
YOUNG SINGER SONG SUGGESTIONSClassical Songs
The Wild Mountain Thyme The Drover’s Dream - traditional - free sheet music Contemporary Songs Bright Eyes - Mike Batt Count On Me - Bruno Mars Musical Theatre Good Morning Starshine from Godspell - Stephen Schwarz Where Is Love from Oliver - Lionel Bart |
MATURE SINGER SONG SUGGESTIONSClassical Songs
Plenty Of Fish In the Sea - Stephen Foster Memories - Rather Sad - Charles Ives. Music from Sheetmusicplus 41 seconds into the clip Contemporary Songs Here Comes The Sun - Lennon and McCartney Embraceable You - George Gershwin Musical Theatre Can You Feel The Love Tonight from The Lion King - Elton John Put On A Happy Face from Bye Bye Birdie - Charles Strouse |