William Tell Overture - it brings out the little flower in every woman.

DON'T do "On My Own." It's a beautiful song but it is probably the most over-used song for musical theater auditions, so I imagine it's also used a lot in the pageant world, and you want something that'll make you stand out more. The problem with singing any well-known song from a musical -- or by a well-known pop singer -- is that the judges are familiar with the original and will compare you to it. Unless you are an AMAZING singer you are not going to be able to compete.

For that reason, using something like a Beatles song works because the judges probably won't compare you to the Beatles -- they'll judge you on your own merits. However, not being too familiar with the rules of pageants, I'm not sure what's considered too "out there." I imagine lesser known pop songs and songs from lesser known musicals work well.

You probably don't want something too generic either, which is where I think some of the contestants in this year's Miss America pageant went wrong. Singing is probably the most common talent and so you need something to make yourself stand out from the other singers.

I remember hearing a woman sing "Ice Cream" from "She Loves Me" in a pageant when I was younger and it stuck with me for years -- I think it was a perfect choice because it's not just a generic song, it's catchy and sweet and fun and the audience liked it a lot.

But I don't have a whole lot of actual song suggestions for you. :)

I totally agree with sugar and spice. OMO is a BIG NO NO at auditions and pageants. If you want to do something from a musical, I suggest singing something from older shows like "Carousel" or "State Fair".

From Carousel: You'll Never Walk Alone

What kind of range do you have? That is really going to help narrow music. Also, what kind can you pull off? I LOVE Broadway, but unfortantly I don't have the voice, I can only pull off folk/pop.

You need to think about these things before you pick a song.

As others have said, don't do "On My Own". For that matter, stay far, far away from "Orange Colored Sky", too. I think the Beatles tune is a fabulous idea (as long as it showcases your voice well) because it will a) make you stand out and b) be enjoyable to the audience.

As far as your platform goes, I think you can incorporate your desire to work in the Jewish community without making that the focus of your platform. Think of it this way - if you win Miss ______, you will be out in the community, speaking and working at various schools, agencies, etc. Speaking and working gigs are sometimes not as easy to come by as it might seem. You need a platform that will give you a wide opportunity for community service. You may wish to say "I am dedicated to the prevention of domestic violence. As a member of the Jewish community, I have seen the need for this type of action first-hand in my own backyard, and would like spend part of my year of service helping those victims."

You never know who in the judging booth might be a RABID Beatles fan (there are lots of them out there), and they tend to be somewhat possessive about their boys' songs...as in they don't want ANYONE else to sing them. So it's best to just skip the Beatles.

If you want to sing any kind of pop song, do it in a way that people don't expect. I once heard a guy sing How Deep Is Your Love at karaoke - he put a lot more soul in than the Bee Gees had and just sang the shit out of it. You don't really think of that as a soul song, but he made it one.

I am out of the loop, but what's "On My Own"? You don't mean the Irene Cara song from Fame do you?

"On My Own" is the song from Les Miz. I like the Irene Cara FAME one better though.

On My Own is the solo Eponine sings in Les Miserables. She's the girl who is in love with Marius, but Marius won't even consider her because she's a street kid. He gets her to send messages to Cosette (the girl he's in love with though). There's a video of the tenth anniversary concert available. It does a bit of its staging, but not the whole musical.

OK - if the Les Miz one is what everyone was talking about - sing the Irene Cara one from Fame. :) It's actually "Out Here On My Own" if you want to find it.

This is kind of a silly idea but if there's a nostalgia or easy listening station in your town keep it on for a day or two and see if you hear anything you like.

Something by the Dandy Warhols.

-Rudey

"Love Changes Everything" Andrew Lloyd Weber
OR-
Etta James "at last" -----i LOVE that song! how she and how Celine Dion perform it.
OR-
Did you all see that movie with Mini Driver ....she played a pageant contestant and sang a song from a girl group from the 60s...i think it was entitled "will you still love me tomorrow"......

the Irene Cara song, also a great song, is entitled "Out here on my own"

the les miz is another great one too and it si entitled "on my own"

"Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" is by the Shirelles (sp?) and was also in the movie "Dirty Dancing"

Okay, I have a mezzo-soprano to soprano range, and most of my singing training has been in the context of musical theater. I would never do anything Andrew Lloyd Weber or Les Miserables, because I consider them a)very difficult, and b)very overdone. That is why I want something kinda different.

I have flirted with the idea of something from Godspell. Someone suggested "oh bless the lord my soul," but that is the lower end of my range, so I considered "We Beseach Thee" or "on the willows."

Nobody seems to know if Beatles is a good idea or bad...but I am in a pretty liberal state, and how many people, unless they are die-hard Beatles fans, know "Blackbird".

I just don't know if I should go upbeat or ballad, nor do I know how much theatrics to put into it.

rock
 

zepplin or skynyrd or crowes