A list of the amazing audition songs for altos has been discussed in this article with other important tips for the best selection.
If you have a deeper female voice, it can be hard to find good songs for altos, but it’s worth it! You can be more confident when auditioning for musical theatre when you have a song that suits your vocal range. You can focus on the action without worrying about hitting the high notes!
Finding suitable songs for altos musicals can take some time, especially if you are still a novice in singing. This is owing to the fact that many of the roles meant for low-pitch in musicals are written for older people.
Since “alto” is a pitch classification usually only used in choruses, you usually have to spend a little time figuring out which songs are low enough.
This will be of help to guide you to the list of amazing audition songs for altos.
Finding audition songs suitable for Altos
As an alto singer, it’s hard to find an audition song! Part of the reason is that the word “alto” isn’t really used in musicals. This is a strict chorus rating. This means that even if the song is in a lower range, it is not called an alto song. Instead, it may include a range or be mezzo-soprano oriented.
Also, Broadway shows rarely feature an alto in the lead role. That’s really great for you – most alto parts in musicals are character roles. These character songs are easier to act in an audition! Remember the song “Master of the House” from Les Mis; the song gives you more room to work than a typical soprano ballad.
Which songs are suitable for a music audition?
Any of the pieces listed among these amazing audition songs for altos will work for you, but be sure to choose one that suits your personality, vocal range, and unique singing style!
Whichever song you choose from this list of songs, you’re sure to be impressed. Anyway, do your best and have fun! If you need additional help, you can take music lessons from a professional music tutor.
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Best Audition Songs for Altos That Are Contemporary
Here are some contemporary audition songs for altos.
- “Asheville” – Bright Star
- “Days of Plenty” – Little Women
- “I Dreamed a Dance” – Next to Normal
- “Maybe I Like It This Way” – The Wild Party
- “See I’m Smiling” – The Last Five Years
- “The Hill” – Once
- “What a Mother Does” – A Christmas Story
Golden Age Songs for Altos (1940-1959)
- “Everybody’s Got a Home But Me” – Pipe Dream
- “The Gentleman is a Dope” – Allegro
- “The Love of My Life” – Brigadoon
- “I Enjoy Being a Girl” – Flower Drum Song
- “A Cockeyed Optimist” – South Pacific
- “Always True to You in My Fashion” – Kiss Me, Kate
- “Distant Melody” – Peter Pan
- “Rose’s Turn” – Gypsy
List of the Amazing Audition Songs for Altos
- “It’s A Perfect Relationship” Bells Are Ringing
- “The Party Goes With You” from 35mm
- “Happily Ever After” from Once Upon a Mattress
- “You Learn to Live Without” from If/Then
- “Times Are Hard for Dreamers” from Amelie
- “In My Own Little Corner” from Cinderella
- “Ireland” from Legally Blonde
- “What Did I Ever See in Him” from Bye Bye Birdie
- “Cabaret” from Cabaret
- “The Winner Takes it All” from Mamma Mia!
- “If I Met Myself Again” from Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
- When You’re Good to Mama” from Chicago
- “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” from Grease
- “A Trip to the Library” from She Loves Me
- “If I Had a Fine White Horse” from The Secret Garden
- “As Long as He Needs Me” from Oliver!
- “I Know Things Now” from Into the Woods
- “With Every Breath I Take” from City of Angels
- “Anything Goes” from Anything Goes
“It’s A Perfect Relationship” Bells Are Ringing
“It’s a Perfect Relationship” is perfect if you’re looking for a mid-range Golden Age musical audition song. Set in the 1930s, the set is similar to Guys and Dolls, Anything Goes and Wonderful Town.
“The Party Goes With You” from 35mm
35mm is a fun, obscure musical, which means no one else Sings your song at the audition! Unlike traditional stage musical productions, this is a concert-style show where the Actors are meant to before a photograph. Each piece tells a story and gives the picture a deeper meaning. The lyricist and composer Ryan Scott Oliver can help you learn more about the show.
“Happily Ever After” from Once Upon a Mattress
“Once Upon a Mattress” is a rare musical with an alto as its lead singer. It’s full of good alto musical theatre pieces. While “Shy” may be the show’s most famous song, “Happily Ever After” is the best. It’s not shown very often, so it’s easier to stand out. Plus, the music and lyrics offer plenty of opportunities to showcase (just watch the video above!).
“You Learn to Live Without” from If/Then
If you’re looking for a folk or country song to listen to, “You Learn to Live Without” is a great and touching choice. Idina is more mid-range than the normal alto, but this song has a good bass range for people with lower voices.
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“Times Are Hard for Dreamers” from Amelie
“Times are hard for dreamers” is a good option if you are looking for audition songs for altos, but it can also work well if you have a more legitimate sound.
“In My Own Little Corner” from Cinderella
When you’re auditioning for Golden Age musicals – think The Musical, Men and Dolls, The Pajama Game and My Fair Lady – you can’t go wrong when you go for “In My Own Little Corner”. A song from the musical “Cinderella” by Rogers and Hammerstein, it’s a sweet musical theatre piece for low voices with plenty of room to show off your acting skills.
“Ireland” from Legally Blonde
Paulette has one of the best altos in a modern musical, and “Ireland” is a thoroughly contemporary song. The music is great, so it’s a great way to showcase your voice and immerse yourself in the comedy at the same time.
“What Did I Ever See in Him” from Bye Bye Birdie
“What Did I Ever See in Him” is a song suitable for both old and young viola players. In fact, the two of them sang it in the old musical Bye Bye Birdie. When choosing a version to listen to, make sure the lyrics are age appropriate.
“Cabaret” from Cabaret
Cabaret always comes to mind when looking for audition songs for altos. The main character, Sally Bowles, has a very subdued role – she has the lowest alto vocals in musical!
“The Winner Takes it All” from Mamma Mia!
Whether you prefer pop sings, a belter, or a fan of a more classic sound, “The Winner Takes It All” is a good pop alto audition song.
“If I Met Myself Again” from Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
This is one of the audition songs for altos that was born in England. It’s about a teenager named Jamie who wants to be a transvestite. In “If I Met Myself Again”, the boy’s mother sings about her experiences with Jamie’s father and what it could have turned out to be if they hadn’t married. Because of the theme, this is a modern song for alto singers who are older.
When You’re Good to Mama” from Chicago
“When You’re Good to Mama” in Matron Mama Morton is one of the amazing audition songs for altos and an iconic Broadway alto character.
It’s great for deep female voices – you can really enjoy these deep voices. Since this is too low for most sopranos, you don’t have to worry about 10 people singing the same song.
“There Are Worse Things I Could Do” from Grease
If you get into the characters, one of the most heartbreaking dramas is “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” from Grease; and if you want to show your emotional depth in an audition, then this role is for you.
Stockyard Channing is by far Rizzo’s most famous character, but Jacqueline Jones (above) proves that there are plenty of opportunities to make this character your own.
“A Trip to the Library” from She Loves Me
Are you ready to put your articulation to test? There is nothing more fascinating than “A Trip to the Library”. This piece is a great way to showcase your unique personality. It has a good low frequency range, so it is suitable for all kinds of singers.
“If I Had a Fine White Horse” from The Secret Garden
Martha in Secret Garden is usually played by women between the ages of 18 and 30, but can easily gets along with older and younger performers. “If I Had a Fine White Horse” is a relaxing audition piece for alto singers who want to play the part.
“As Long as He Needs Me” from Oliver!
“As Long as He Needs Me” is one of the most recognizable female musical theater songs with a deeper sound. Why does this matter? All auditioners know it, so you need to be prepared. You can tie it or sing in a more legal style; the song goes both ways.
“I Know Things Now” from Into the Woods
If you are a young singer, it is important to choose songs that are appropriate for your age, this can be difficult with an alto voice! Little Red in Into the Woods is a good place to start and one of the amazing audition songs for altos, she’s young and her songs are shallower. “I Know Things Now” is a fun, modern piece with a grown-up feel.
“With Every Breath I Take” from City of Angels
This is a modern alternative musical that shows the emotional range. It starts with intimate and introspective feelings and grows into a big, thick belt.
“Anything Goes” from Anything Goes
“Anything Goes” is the perfect song when you’re auditioning for a role in fast Golden Age style. It’s written by Cole Porter, so you know it’s going to be rough and melodic. Use it for character figures and female characters.
Other Good Audition Songs for Altos
- “All that Jazz” from Chicago
- “My Husband Makes Movies” from Nine
- “Watch What Happens” from Newsies
- “I Resolve” from She Loves Me
- “What I Did for Love” from A Chorus Line
- “I Want the Good Things Back” from Little Mermaid
- “Home” from Beauty and the Beast
- “Setting Your Sights (What You Wanted)” from Vanities
- “Kiss of the Spider Woman” from Kiss of the Spider Woman
- “One Day” from Groundhog Day
- “Colored Lights” from The Rink
- “Pretty Funny” from Dogfight
