Help DBB with her pageant!
 

Right now, I am thinking about "Blackbird" by the Beatles. I know nothing about this, but does anyone have some suggestions? Thanks!

How's about...
 

"Orange Colored Sky" by Natalie Cole (from "Unforgettable")

"Stuff Like That There" by Bette Midler

"Le Jazz Hot" from Victor/Victoria

I don't even know...am I supposed to do a ballad or something upbeat or what?

InAGaddaDaVida by Iron Butterfly.

You're singing, right? Not playing an instrument? If so, how about something different like "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown"? One of my sisters did it for the Greek Goddess pageant and won :)

I don't think anyone's supposed to do a certain kind of performance. A lot of girls like to do songs from Broadway musicals because they tend to be catchy and upbeat and crowd pleasers. Some girls tend to do mainstream songs because they're comfortable with songs like that. A lot opt to do ballads because slower songs are what they like.

The bottom line is, choose whatever best fits you so the judges know that you're totally into what you're doing up there!

Um, I don't know the time limit on DBB's talent portion, but I know in most pageants it's 2:30 or less. Don't know how you can shave off all those minutes offa In A Gadda Da Vida.

I like the broadway musical idea :) Cats is popular . . . Phantom . . . Don't Cry form Me Argentina is both beatuiful and kind of haunting if you have the voice for it . . .

are you a soprano, metzo, or alto?

Anything by Jackson 5.

Can I come see your pageant? I'll bring all my bros and we'll cheer loudly like it's the Arsenio Hall Show!

-Rudey
--Woo woo woo

"on my own" is what my friend sang during her pageant and it was gorgeous. unfortunately, another girl sang it, too (though not as well....and picked it after she knew my friend was singing it :eek: scandal!!!)....AND this other chick was dancing to it. we all knew the words by the time it was all over with, but it's a pretty song.

At Last - Etta James

Some musical selections:

"Someone To Watch Over Me" - Crazy For You

"I'm gonna wash that man right out of my hair" - South Pacific

"Oh Bless the Lord My Soul" Godspell

"What I did for love" Chorus Line (personal favorite)

"Any Dream Will Do" Joseph & the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat

"Love Changes Everything" Andrew Lloyd Weber

"Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" Andrew Lloyd Weber

"Everythings All Right" Andrew Lloyd Weber

"Anything but lonely" Andrew Lloyd Weber

The one thing I will say, is if you do a showtune type of song, don't just SING it...ya gotta spice it up with tons of facial expressions and gestures. I mean, that's what's to be expected from those types of songs. If you don't think you're threatrical, then I'd stay away from those types of songs. However if you ARE, you could really have fun with those songs...and that's what the audience loves: to see a contestant comfortable performing and really getting into it!

Okay, I changed the name of this thread because I need tons of help, so I hope you will all stick with me.

As for the song...it seems that nobody here thinks a Beatles song is a good idea. I am theatrical, so now I am looking at showtunes. I have to provide an accompaniment on CD. Anyone know where to get that?

Now the platform...It has to be violence-related. I am going with domestic violence. However, I would like to make it domestic violence in the Jewish community. I know this seems narrow, but there are tons of agencies because it is actually a huge problem. I feel that by narrowing it down, I am actually biting off something I can chew. Is it going to be strange if I pick a platform that is, in a way, discriminatory?

That's the song that Joey (i.e. Katie Holmes) sang when she was in that pageant on Dawson's Creek, remember? And I think Pacey was in it too, only he did a Rob Roy/Braveheart thingy.)

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

and wtf do i wear for the talent portion???

If you want to incorperate your platform into it try "Far From the Home I Love" from Fiddler on the Roof-the whole show is about a Jewish family in Russia.

Another amazing one that I guarentee no one else will do is "The Greatest of These" from the musical Philemon...I know you're thinking 'huh?'....the show wasn't the biggest hit on Broadway, but the song is gorgeous....

I personally would wear something to match what you are singing...it kills me to see people in evening gowns singing "On My Own"...I know this is more of a 'concert' type setting then a 'theatrical' type setting, but I don't know....

How long have you been waiting for the right question to post THAT picture Russ?

Ah, the magic of Google.

I simply typed in "dominatrix" into Google image search, and looked for the right image, for the right occasion.;)

I've always loved "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess, you could wear a summer dress, floppy hat, pretend you're a southern belle in the heat. I've seen that done really well in a concert setting....

rock
 

leather pants

You will need a semiformal/formal dress to wear for the talent portion. That too will depend on what you sing. If you do something upbeat and showy a more "fun" dress is appropriate. If you go with a ballad then you want something a little more "glamerous" if that makes any sense. You want the outfit to be an extension of your performance.

I HIGHLY doublt she's singing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" or "Little Bo-Peep":rolleyes: