Audition Songs for The Civil War – By Vocal Type
When considering audition songs for The Civil War, it’s fitting to choose a pop, gospel, or country song from musical theatre repertoire that aligns with the tone of the show and suits your vocal type. Always refer to the audition notice for specific guidelines.
Because The Civil War premiered in 1998, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1980s and 2010s. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed by a musical theatre professional to ensure fit and audition readiness.
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Step 1: Review Audition Info
Please read your audition details carefully, as they sometimes specify the type of song they’d like to hear (a ballad, something uptempo, etc.). Make sure to select a song that’s appropriate for your specific casting call.
Step 2: Study the Show
Before auditioning, you should get familiar with the show, and listening to the cast album is a great way to do that. Here’s where you can learn more about The Civil War.
Step 3: Pick an Audition Song
Based on your personality and vocal type, choose the song that you feel most comfortable with from the list below.
The Audition Songs
Altos
“Beautiful” – Marie Christine
“Goodbye, My Love” – Ragtime
“Lay Down Your Head” – Violet
“You Oughta Be Here With Me” – Big River
“Your Daddy’s Son” – Ragtime
Baritones
“Free At Last” – Big River
“How Can I Call This Home?” – Parade
“It’s Hard to Speak My Heart” – Parade
“Wheels of a Dream” – Ragtime
“Yankee Boy” – Rags
Basses
“Early in the Morning” – Five Guys Named Moe
“Look Around” – The Will Rogers Follies
“Never Met a Man I Didn’t Like” – The Will Rogers Follies
“The Night Dolly Parton Was Almost Mine” – Pump Boys and Dinettes
“Waitin’ For The Light to Shine” – Big River
Contras
“Back to Before” – Ragtime
“Let It Sing” – Violet
“My Child Will Forgive Me” – Parade
“Tell Me It’s Not True” – Blood Brothers
“The Feeling That We Have” – The Wiz
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Mezzo-Sopranos
“Blame It on the Summer Night” – Rags
“How Bout a Dance?” – Bonnie & Clyde
“The Flagmaker, 1775” – Songs for a New World
“When I Look at You” – The Scarlet Pimpernel
“You Can’t Get to Heaven” – The Life
Sopranos
“Colored Woman” – Memphis
“If This Is What We’re Fighting For” – The Beautiful Game
“I’m Leaving You” – The Life
“No One Knows Who I Am” – Jekyll & Hyde
“The Sea of Life” – The Pirate Queen
Tenors
“How Glory Goes” – Floyd Collins
“Make Them Hear You” – Ragtime
“Pretty Music” – Parade
“She Cries” – Songs for a New World
“That’s What He Said” – Parade
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for The Civil War:
• “Goin’ North” in Audition Arsenal for Men in Their 20s➝
• “Little Victories” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “Nasty Scoundrels” from The Fourteenth of July➝
• “Something Like This” from Call of the Revolution➝
• “Wilderness of Mirrors” in Audition Arsenal for Men in Their 20s➝
Final Step: Audition Prep
Once you’ve chosen your song, it’s time to start preparing! Grab your FREE Audition Prep Checklist and Stamp Cards to stay organized and motivated for your upcoming auditions!
The Civil War Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in The Civil War, along with which characters sing in each of them. Unless you have been asked to, do not choose from the below songs for your audition! The following is more intended to be used for character research purposes.
* That said, if you’ve specifically been asked to sing a song from the show, you can find the sheet music for the best possible audition songs below.
Act 1:
“Brother, My Brother” – Captain Emmet Lochran
“A House Divided” – Ensemble
“By The Sword” / “Sons of Dixie” – Ensemble
“Peculiar Institution” – Ensemble
“If Prayin’ Were Horses” – Clayton Toler, Bessie Toler
“Missing You (My Bill)” – Sarah McEwen
“Judgment Day” – Captain Billy Pierce, Captain Emmett Lochran, Private Sam Taylor, Ensemble
“Tell My Father” – Private Sam Taylor
“Freedom’s Child” – Frederick Douglass, Ensemble
“Greenback” – Autolycus Fell, Mabel, Violet
“I Never Knew His Name” – Sarah
“Father, How Long?” – Clayton Toler
“Someday” – Harriet Jackson, Bessie Toler, Ensemble
“I’ll Never Pass This Way Again” – Corporal Henry Stewart
“How Many Devils?” – Ensemble
Act 2:
“Virginia” – Captain Billy Pierce
“Candle in the Window” – Harriet Jackson
“Oh! Be Joyful!” – Autolycus Fell, Sergeant Byron Richardson, Private Conrad Bock, Private Hotchkiss
“The Hospital” – Mrs. Bixby, Clayton Toler, Ensemble
“If Prayin’ Were Horses (Reprise)” – Clayton Toler, Bessie Toler
“River Jordan” – Benjamin Reynolds, Ensemble
“Sarah” – Corporal William McEwen
“The Honor of Your Name” – Sarah McEwen
“Greenback (Reprise)” – Autolycus Fell, Violet
“Northbound Train” – Captain Emmett Lochran
“Last Waltz for Dixie” – Captain Billy Pierce, Ensemble
“The Glory” – Captain Emmett Lochran, Frederick Douglass, Benjamin Reynolds, Company
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip and the author of The Thespian’s Bucket List. She is also the creator of The Cast Album List. Her background includes a BA in Theatre, a TESOL Drama certificate, and professional experience in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
