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SOLO ASSISTANCE
Choosing & Learning Your Solo
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Prospective singers for the Youth Chorus often ask where they can find an appropriate audition song, and we acknowledge that not everyone always has access to a music teacher to help them learn it. We've collected a few of our favorite songs for you to look through. If one of these songs fits well in your voice, we've also given you some resources to help you learn it for your audition. The below songs are merely suggestions.
Please use the YouTube links and our notes to familiarize yourself with these pieces and find which ones would be a good fit for you. We recommend that you follow along with the included sheet music as you decide. Once you feel more familiar with the piece, use the track labeled "with melody" to sing along to. When you feel that you are secure on the melody, sing along with the track labeled "accompaniment" and notice where your vocal line moves independently of the piano.
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When you audition for us, a pianist will be present to play your song for you. They will follow you as you sing, so you can perform the piece exactly as you learned it from the track. With a live pianist, you can change the tempo to your liking. They will follow you!
Please know that we'll be there to support you and answer any questions you may have. We want you to feel comfortable going into the audition process, and we want this experience to help you grow as a singer. Happy practicing! We look forward to hearing you.
Not sure which part you sing? This video will help you find your range.
Solo Song Selections
Remember, you are not required to use any of these songs. They are provided here for students who are looking for suggestions. Each title has a PDF link to download sheet music, a YouTube link to listen to a reference recording, one study track for learning the song melody, and a second study track for learning to sing just with the accompaniment.
American Lullaby (high / soprano key)
by Gladys Rich
Range: C4-F5 (high key)
American Lullaby (high key) Reference Recording on YouTube
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This transposition is recommended for sopranos (high). Altos can find the version for low voices below. Each verse starts in the low range and moves to the upper range. Be sure to sing through an entire verse to see if the low or high key is best for you. If you choose this piece to audition with, remember that lullabies are never loud or flashy. While this piece showcases your range, try to perform it as if you were rocking a small child to sleep.
American Lullaby - Soprano
American Lullaby (low/ alto key)
by Gladys Rich
Range: A4-D5 (low key)
American Lullaby (low key) Reference Recording on YouTube
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This transposition is recommended for altos (low).* Sopranos can find the version for high voices above. Each verse starts in the low range and moves to the upper range. Be sure to sing through an entire verse to see if the low or high key is best for you. If you choose this piece to audition with, remember that lullabies are never loud or flashy. While this piece showcases your range, try to perform it as if you were rocking a small child to sleep.
American Lullaby - Alto
At the River
Traditional American, adapted by Aaron Copland
Range: Eb3-Eb4 (low octave) / Eb4-Eb5 (high octave)
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At the River Reference Recording on YouTube
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This song is a great fit for altos and baritones/basses, but it can also work for sopranos and tenors. You'll know if it fits in your range if you can sing the upper notes with fullness and ease and still sing the lower notes with strength. As you prepare this song, notice when you're asked to sing quietly and when the arranger calls for a fuller sound. This contrast is part of what makes this piece so compelling.
At the River
Bright is the Ring of Words
by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Range: Ab2-C4
Bright is the Ring Reference Recording on YouTube
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This piece comes from a larger cycle called "Songs of Travel" and is typically sung by baritones/basses. We've included it here because it features the middle and lower parts of the voice and may be a good fit for singers who want to showcase their low notes. The opening of this piece should be sung with joy and resonance, and then as the text changes, so do the dynamics and overall mood. This song has some unexpected shifts in harmony, so pay close attention to the reference recording as you're learning it.
Bright is the Ring of Words
Linden Lea
by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Range: E4-E5
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Linden Lea Reference Recording on YouTube
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This piece would be a good fit for sopranos and tenors, though other voices with a confident high E could also sing this. This piece has a beautiful melody, and you'll want to be able to sing it with ease. Make every effort to set the scene here: help us see the trees, the birds, and the water as you muse about the wonders of nature.
Linden Lea
Passing By
by Edward Purcell
Range: E3-E4
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Passing By Reference Recording on YouTube
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This piece is great for young tenors, although higher baritones may also want to give it a try. You'll want to be able to sing the high E with ease. (It is stylistically appropriate to sing the E lightly in head voice, if needed.) The meaning of this song is pretty straightforward, and we encourage you to sing it with the joy and excitement, as suggested by the text.
Passing By
Wayfaring Stranger
Traditional American, arranged by John Jacob Niles
Range: E3-E4 (low octave) / E4-E5 (high octave)
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Wayfaring Stranger Reference Recording on YouTube
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We recommend this piece for sopranos and tenors, but altos and baritones who have a strong upper range could also sing this effectively. The high E should be sung with beautiful tone. Be sure to pace the dynamics, starting soft and getting stronger with each verse. Use the text and the overall character of the piece to help guide your interpretation.
Wayfaring Stranger
Who is Silvia?
by Roger Quilter
Range: F#3-D4 (low octave) / F#4-D5 (high octave)
Who is Silvia? Reference Recording on YouTube
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This piece is typically sung by tenors and baritones, but the limited range means that any voice part can sing it. Through Shakespeare's text, it becomes clear that Sylvia is someone highly regarded and worthy of receiving garlands of flowers. Note that at the end of the first verse, the word "admired" has three syllables, which happens sometimes in Shakespeare's writing - pronounce the word as "add-my-red".