The Best Audition Songs for The Sound of Music – by Character

Do you have an upcoming audition for The Sound of Music? Well unless you have specifically been asked to sing a song from the show that you’re auditioning for, it’s generally best not to. That said, you should still show off similar vocals and personality. So here’s our list of audition songs for The Sound of Music, broken down by character.

Since The Sound of Music is a late golden-age musical, the songs below are all from golden-age/post-golden age musicals as well. In addition, there is a timeless/classic vibe to many of the following in order to match the style of the show.

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Step 1: Read your audition details

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.

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Step 2: Get to know the show

In casting calls, they often ask for you to be “familiar with the show”. And even if it’s not requested, it’s generally assumed. One way to do this is to read through the synopsis or libretto for The Sound of Music➝ while listening to the The Sound of Music cast album➝. Or you can watch the classic film➝.

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Step 3: Pick an audition song

Next, based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether you’d like to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Just keep in mind that if you audition for a specific character, you still might not be chosen for that particular role.

There’s usually a spot on the audition form asking if you are open to being in the ensemble or accepting a different role. I would suggest ticking that box and taking whatever you are offered. Every role is important, and you will earn valuable experience in a show.

And on that same note, even if you audition for the ensemble (rather than a specific character), there’s always a chance of being cast in a leading or supporting role!

To summarize, keep an open mind and try not to take the process too seriously. And when you’re ready, choose the song that you feel most comfortable with from the list below.

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Brigitta von Trapp

“Be Kind to Your Parents” – Fanny

“Little Lamb” – Gypsy

“Tender Shepherd” – Peter Pan

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Captain Georg von Trapp

“How to Handle a Woman” – Camelot

“If Ever I Would Leave You” – Camelot

“Some Enchanted Evening” – South Pacific

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Elsa Schrader

“I Loved You Once in Silence” – Camelot

“Something Wonderful” – The King and I

“The Simple Joys of Maidenhood” – Camelot

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Friedrich von Trapp

“Consider Yourself” – Oliver!

“I’d Do Anything” – Oliver!

“My Best Girl” – Mame

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Gretl von Trapp / Marta von Trapp

“Distant Melody” – Peter Pan

“The Perfect Nanny” – Mary Poppins

“Truly Scrumptious” – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

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Kurt von Trapp

“Dites-Moi” – South Pacific

“Gary, Indiana” – The Music Man

“Where Is Love?” – Oliver!

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Mother Abbess

“Follow Me” – Camelot

“Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor” – Miss Liberty

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” – Carousel

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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

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Rolf Gruber

“Lucky to Be Me” – On the Town

“You Are Beautiful” – Flower Drum Song

“You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” – South Pacific

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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

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Ensemble (Baritones)

“A Puzzlement” – The King and I

“There But For You Go I” – Brigadoon

“Young and Foolish” – Plain and Fancy

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Ensemble (Basses)

“I’m an Ordinary Man” – My Fair Lady

“This Nearly Was Mine” – South Pacific

“Welcome Home” – Fanny

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Ensemble (Contras)

“I Don’t Want to Know” – Dear World

“Never Never Land” – Peter Pan

“Who’s Been Sitting in My Chair?” – Goldilocks

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Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!

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Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)

“A Wonderful Guy” – South Pacific

“Love, Look Away” – Flower Drum Song

“Sweet Thursday” – Pipe Dream

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Ensemble (Sopranos)

“Before I Gaze at You Again” – Camelot

“Somebody, Somewhere” – The Most Happy Fella

“Without You” – My Fair Lady

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Ensemble (Tenors)

“Geraniums in the Winder” – Carousel

“Like a God” – Flower Drum Song

“Younger Than Springtime” – South Pacific

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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➝

• “Do You Know➝” from The Cradle Song➝

• “Mother Moon➝” from Fading Joy➝  (Joy)

• “The Ideal Man!” from A Woman of No Importance➝  (Mrs. Allonby)

• “What Truth?” from The Cherry Orchard➝

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Final Step: Prepare for your audition

After collecting your materials and getting familiar with the show, it’s time to move forward with the actual preparation. If you’re in need of some guidance on this step, you can always go through this FREE audition prep checklist!

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Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!

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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! 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.

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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

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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

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Which of these audition songs for The Sound of Music did you choose?

And what role are you auditioning for? We would love to hear all about it in the comments! And in the meantime, you can check out our database of best audition songs for other musicals.

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Need extra help? Just go through this free audition prep checklist!

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Author: Stacy Karyn

Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album List. She holds a BA in theatre, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.

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