The Best Audition Songs for The Sound of Music – By Character
When considering audition songs for The Sound of Music, it’s fitting to choose a song from classic 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 Sound of Music premiered in 1959, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1940s and 1960s. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed to ensure it matches the show’s style.
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 Sound of Music.
Step 3: Pick an Audition Song
Before choosing a song, find your voice type and range using the Vocal Guide.
Based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Whatever you choose, try to stay open to other casting possibilities.
When you’re ready, choose a song from below that best fits your voice and style.
Audition Songs for The Sound of Music
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Brigitta von Trapp
“Be Kind to Your Parents” – Fanny
“Little Lamb” – Gypsy
“Tender Shepherd” – Peter Pan
Captain Georg von Trapp
“How to Handle a Woman” – Camelot
“If Ever I Would Leave You” – Camelot
“Some Enchanted Evening” – South Pacific
Elsa Schrader
“I Loved You Once in Silence” – Camelot
“Something Wonderful” – The King and I
“The Simple Joys of Maidenhood” – Camelot
Friedrich von Trapp
“Consider Yourself” – Oliver!
“I’d Do Anything” – Oliver!
“My Best Girl” – Mame
Gretl von Trapp / Marta von Trapp
“Distant Melody” – Peter Pan
“The Perfect Nanny” – Mary Poppins
“Truly Scrumptious” – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Kurt von Trapp
“Dites-Moi” – South Pacific
“Gary, Indiana” – The Music Man
“Where Is Love?” – Oliver!
Liesl von Trapp
“I Am Going to Like It Here” – Flower Drum Song
“I Enjoy Being a Girl” – Flower Drum Song
“This Is All Very New to Me” – Plain and Fancy
Louisa von Trapp
“Everybody’s Got a Home But Me” – Pipe Dream
“Happily Ever After” – Once Upon a Mattress [sing truthfully]
“It Might as Well Be Spring” – State Fair
Maria Rainer
“Getting to Know You” – The King and I
“I Could Have Danced All Night” – My Fair Lady
“I Whistle a Happy Tune” – The King and I
“The Lusty Month of May” – Camelot
Max Detweiller
“I Am in Love” – Can-Can
“On the Street Where You Live” – My Fair Lady
“Why Can’t the English?” – My Fair Lady
Mother Abbess
“Follow Me” – Camelot
“Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor” – Miss Liberty
“You’ll Never Walk Alone” – Carousel
Nuns (Berthe, Sophia, Margaretta)
“Cry Like the Wind” – Do Re Mi
“My Lord and Master” – The King and I
“There’s Music in You” – Cinderella
Rolf Gruber
“Lucky to Be Me” – On the Town
“You Are Beautiful” – Flower Drum Song
“You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” – South Pacific
🎭 Do you know your casting type? Take our free Character Archetype Quiz to find out if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or a type that’s even more unique!
Ensemble (Altos)
“A Cockeyed Optimist” – South Pacific
“Hello, Young Lovers” – The King and I
“Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?” – The King and I
Ensemble (Baritones)
“A Puzzlement” – The King and I
“There But For You Go I” – Brigadoon
“Young and Foolish” – Plain and Fancy
Ensemble (Basses)
“I’m an Ordinary Man” – My Fair Lady
“This Nearly Was Mine” – South Pacific
“Welcome Home” – Fanny
Ensemble (Contras)
“I Don’t Want to Know” – Dear World
“Never Never Land” – Peter Pan
“Who’s Been Sitting in My Chair?” – Goldilocks
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Love, Look Away” – Flower Drum Song
“Shall We Dance?” – The King and I
“That’s Him” – One Touch of Venus
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Before I Gaze at You Again” – Camelot
“Somebody, Somewhere” – The Most Happy Fella
“Without You” – My Fair Lady
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Geraniums in the Winder” – Carousel
“Like a God” – Flower Drum Song
“Younger Than Springtime” – South Pacific
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for The Sound of Music:
• “A Real Passport” from The Cherry Orchard
• “His Voice” from The Cradle Song
• “Keen on Living” from Three Sisters
• “The Ideal Man” from A Woman of No Importance
• “What Truth?” from The Cherry Orchard
Step 5: Audition Prep
Choosing the right song is just the beginning! Strong preparation helps you walk into the room with confidence and ready to show what you can do.
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The Sound of Music Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in The Sound of Music, 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! This 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:
“Preludium” – Ensemble
“The Sound of Music” – Maria
“Maria” – Berthe, Sophia, Margaretta, Mother Abbess
“I Have Confidence” – Maria
“My Favorite Things” – Maria, Mother Abbess
“Do-Re-Mi” – Maria, Children
“Sixteen Going on Seventeen” – Rolf, Liesl
“The Lonely Goatherd” – Maria, Children
“The Lonely Goatherd (Reprise)” – Gretl
“How Can Love Survive” – Max, Elsa
“The Sound of Music (Reprise)” – Maria, Captain, Children
“So Long, Farewell” – Children
“Morning Hymn” – Ensemble
“Climb Ev’ry Mountain” – Mother Abbess
Act 2:
“My Favorite Things (Reprise)” – Maria, Children
“No Way to Stop It” – Elsa, Max, Captain
“An Ordinary Couple” – Maria, Captain
“Sixteen Going on Seventeen (Reprise)” – Maria, Liesl
“Edelweiss” – Captain, Maria, Children
“So Long, Farewell (Reprise)” – Maria, Captain, Children
“Finale Ultimo” – Company
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.
