Solo Repertoire
Choose songs you can use for the next three to five years. The goal is to have songs already prepared when auditions, talent shows, and family events arise. Make sure they are appropriate for your age and character type. When first starting to build your repertoire, choose songs that are “easy” for you to sing and that fit your vocal range. As you advance, choose songs that expand your range and character. Make sure you have sheet music and karaoke tracks in the correct key. An internet search for any of these categories should give you plenty of ideas.
Basic Repertoire
1) Fast Broadway Song – something you can use for auditions and showcases
2) Slow Broadway Song – something you can use for auditions and showcases
3) Fast Pop/Rock Song – I prefer 50’s/60’s songs to start as they appeal to a wider audience and you will get more use out of them. For little kids Disney songs are great.
4) Inspirational Song – something you can sing for weddings, anniversaries, retirements, funerals. Ex. “You Raise Me Up”, “Hero”, “Wind Beneath My Wings”, “Ave Maria”, “For Good”, “I Hope You Dance”
5) Italian Song from the 24 Italian Songs and Arias Book (or 26 or 28 Italian Songs Book) for 6th grade or older students.
Next Level
6) Belter/Low Voice Broadway Song – think of artists like Barbara Streisand, shows like Wicked, Chicago, Annie
7) Head Voice/Lyric Broadway Song – think of artists like Julie Andrews, shows like Oliver, Sound of Music, Cinderella
8) Character Broadway Song – something that you have to change the quality of your normal voice to sound funny, Adelaide’s songs from Guys & Dolls, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown
*Try to choose from a range of shows: newer shows, classic Broadway shows, as well as juke box musicals (shows that use pre-existing songs and build a story around them like Mamma Mia and Moulin Rouge).
9) Modern Pop Song – something on the radio now, but something you can live with for a few years, also something you can put your personal spin and style on.
10) Patriotic Song – think “Star-Spangled Banner”, “God Bless The USA”, “God Bless America”
11) “Get The Party Started Song” – the one that wins the karaoke competitions, think “Proud Mary”, “Party In The USA”, “Friends in Low Places”
12) Holiday Song – think “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)”, “The Hanukkah Song”, pick your favorite holiday song and start there.
13) Wedding/Love Song – first dance, father/daughter or mother/son dance. Do a web search, the list of songs is endless.
14) Worship/Church Song – anything you could use as a solo at your church
15) Country Song – think of artists like Carrie Underwood and Garth Brooks
16) Foreign Language Pop Song – preferably in a language your family or neighborhood speaks
17) Jazz Standard – think of artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Cole Porter, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong
18) Oldie – if you don’t have one already a 50’s or 60’s pop song. They are great for outdoor summer entertainment events.
For The Serious Singers
19) Latin, French, German Art Song – from any of the art song books
20) Italian Aria & Recitative – start with Mozart, Puccini, or Donizetti
