Is this a good start for vocal repertoire?

I'm a Soprano, with a wide range. I am able to sing Opera arias with ease as a soprano, and I do well as an alto with jazz and blues. My middle range is not as defined and strong as I would like it to be, but it's still good. I've sang my whole life, but now in my second year at a community college, I've decided that I want to be a vocal major and transfer into one of the best programs in the state. Here's the start of my repertoire list, if you can, give me opinions of each song...what the person handling my audition would think of each one, and any other suggestions? Thanks!

Alto:

At Last

A Night in Tunisia

Summertime

Soprano:

Voi Che Sapete

Comme Raggio Di Sol

L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle (Habenera)

Is this a good start for vocal repertoire?the grand theater

You want to transfer and become a vocal major in one of the top programs in the state? Be prepared! When you go to one of the best programs (take it from me) it is going to be a no nonsense audition. If you go in there singing At Last and Night in Tunisia, I'm being totally honest with you, they are going to show you the door. Unless you are auditioning for principal jazz vocals (which is rare) at a school like the College of Berkley, it will NOT work. But I don't know hardly any top music programs who will allow you to get away with those two numbers and let you in. Trust me.

Let me help you as much as I can on this forum. First of all, almost all of these songs you have listed have been place under the wrong voice category. Many jazz musicians take different interpretation of this song, but Summertime is from the opera Porgy and Bess. The correct version that you would perform for an audition with would be for a soprano voice. The characters Bess and Clara (they both sing it) are sopranos, not altos. On the other hand, Habenera is FAR from a soprano role, it is written for a Mezzo-Soprano (Carmen is the character). Every now and then you will see a Soprano playing around with the tune, but it is rare to see a soprano giving it justice. Maria Callas is one of the few. That is why it is written for a lower voice type. If a soprano doesn't have a good bottom, it isn't going to work. Usually only dramatic sopranos can get away with that, and they aren't common either. Voi Che Sapete is another miscatagoried one. This song is a pants role sung by Mezzos, not Sopranos. Comme Raggio Di Sol is one that CAN be sung in both voice catagories, because it isn't an aria. Most books have both low and high versions of it. You pick the correct version that will fit your voice. The good thing about The 24 Italian Songs and Arias (one of the most popular books for beginning singers. If you are going to music school, you will be required to have it) you can buy ones with different keys fitting ones' vocal fach. So that would be fine for an audition. I can't say for certain, but if your middle is weak, you might want to stick to soprano voice type compositions.

Something you should know, is that most colleges of music worth its salt is going to require you to sight read for an audition, or they are going to do some type of test to see if you can read music. They don't accept students that can't read because they don't have time to teach those basics. If you are one who can read music, that's excellent! If not, start working on it NOW. Hire a piano and voice teacher QUICKLY if you haven't already.

They are more than likely are going to require you to sing at least one piece in a foreign language. Since you are beginning, PLEASE sing an Italian piece. That is the easiest foreign language to pronounce that is usually sung in this type of music and is the most popular if you are starting out. Have one of those prepared. Choose one that makes you feel comfortable, and don't make up variations. Make sure you sing it NOTE FOR NOTE, and follow the dynamics written. That will give you kudos. Be expressive and be pleasant. You also need to be prepared to sing something in English, and more than likely they are going to require you to sing an art song (spirituals can be used as an art song). You can do either or in English or foreign language. MAKE SURE YOU READ THE REQUIREMENTS ON THE SCHOOL"S WEBSITE BEFORE AUDTITIONING. Hopefully you've done this already.

Have a game plan. Most good music schools will ask you WHY you want to be a vocal performance major. Be ready to answer it. Be ready to write any prior experience you've had in the past. They might require you to write info like that on an audition slip. PLEASE bring your music. I know that i COMMON SENSE, but you will be surprised how many people try to go into a college audition trying to sing accapella, or they think the accompanist is going to play it by ear. That is a easy way to get disqualified too. Dress nicely. A dress is great, but nice slacks will be fine (I prefer a dress and most judges will too). Even now, Unless it is an extremely fancy pantsuit, I always audition with a dress (unless its a pants role).

Judges aren't so much impressed with WHAT you choose to sing if you have the right requirement choices. They judge how well you SING the pieces. So don't worry about how they feel about each song. Sing an aria or art song that sounds the best in your voice. I don't care if the song is interpreted into you singing about a frog. LOL! If it sounds great in your voice, the more likely you will get in. Musicianship is also important. There have been many singers with good instruments turned away because they don't carry musicianship skills. Display your musicianship. They don't expect you to be prefect coming in, but they do expect you to be a musician.

Competition into these schools are tough, but if you prepare well before the auditions and you have a good instrument, you will get in. Just follow the advice I've given. BUT IF YOU REALLY want to make sure you have a chance, find a voice teacher who can help you prepare for an audition. I have a new student who recently came to me doing exactly what you are doing. They will be able to help you pick the best songs for your voice type, and they will honestly help you prepare for the whole audition. We know EXACTLY what they are looking for. The students who do prepare with one have a greater chance of getting in. If money is an issue, call around and tell a teacher your situation. Perhaps someone will give you some type of help. BREAK A LEG AND GOOD LUCK!

Is this a good start for vocal repertoire?soap opera opera theater

"at last" isn't very impressive only because it's so mainstream... if auditioning, Iw ouldn't use it.

Honestly, songs in other languages are usually your best bet, and you really don't want to go for something that is too mainstream because they'll figure you didn't work as hard on it!