Conservatory/College Auditions Songs

[AlexanderSchroeder]

Hello, I'm Alexander. I'm 17 year old tenor, and am stuck in a bit of a rut. I've been having some strenuous struggle endeavoring to narrow down my lengthy list of songs for future college and conservatory auditions coming up next year for me. I have a workshop that I am going to attend this upcoming weekend, so I wanted to have my ballad chosen before then. For my uptempo song I was thinking about "Something's Coming" from West Side Story initially, but then considered "All I Need Is The Girl" from Gypsy, and possibly "The Music And The Mirror" from A Chorus Line (though, I'm not so sure if colleges hold aversions towards songs that do not correspond with your gender). But for my ballad, I am at a loss. I was thinking "Love Changes Everything" from Aspects of Love because I love Michael Ball. But then I was contemplating "Being Alive" from Company because of Raul Esparza and Lea Salonga (even though I despise Neil Patrick Harris). I just want something that is classic, timeless, lesser known (so it isn't overdone), but I want it to inspire, make you cry, make you happy, and motivate you, while showing off my vocals simultaneously. Is that too much to ask? Haha. I also contemplated doing "On The Street Where You Live" and "Younger Than Springtime", but as I have never felt the sentiment of actually being in love—I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to connect with them on a level of other songs. I just genuinely need some new material, I think, because none of the songs I have thought of feel like "the one". I have been told to stray away from Webber and Sondheim, which is quite hard for me. What do you think I should do? Do colleges and conservatories not allow songs outside of your gender identity? Should I stay away from Stephen and Andrew? Help me, please!

[all that jazz]

As a general rule, should try to stay away from Sondheim and ALW. I've also heard a lot of stories about talented actors not succeeding at auditions because of song gender-bending, so I would't do Music and the mirror. On the street where you live is very popular, perhaps even overdone.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Something's Coming is popular, but good. Look at more contemporary musicals too.

[BwayTday]

Don't do songs outside of your castable age range or livable experience. (I.e.- songs like Being Alive are a no.)