The Best College Audition Songs – by Vocal Type
Are you getting ready for an important college audition? Well, first you should check out our giant database of audition songs for specific musicals. But if your show hasn’t yet been covered by us, or if you’re just looking to expand your repertoire, you can go through this list of college audition songs for young adults.
If you haven’t gone through the steps to find your vocal range yet, I would definitely recommend doing so! The following songs are sung by characters in the age range of 18-25.
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First Step: 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. Also, as you’re picking out a song, these links may be helpful:
• Backing Tracks for the Songs Below
• “Audition Songs for Young Adults” Spotify Playlist
Altos
“Before It’s Over” – Dogfight
“I Have a Dream” – Mamma Mia!
“Promise Me This” – Theory of Relativity
“Where Am I Now?” – Lysistrata Jones
Baritones
“Footprint” – The Theory of Relativity
“Hold On” – Lysistrata Jones
“Some Girls” – Once on This Island
“With Anne on My Arm” – La Cage Aux Folles
Basses
“Heartbeat” – Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story
“Johanna” – Sweeney Todd
“On the Street Where You Live” – My Fair Lady
“One Last Kiss” – Bye Bye Birdie
Contras
“A Change in Me” – Beauty and the Beast
“Adela” – Bernarda Alba
“Come Back” – Dogfight
“Without You” – Rent
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Mezzo-Sopranos
“I Couldn’t Know Someone Less” – Daddy Long Legs
“Jimmy” – Thoroughly Modern Millie
“Nothing Short of Wonderful” – Dogfight
“The Gods Love Nubia” – Aida
Sopranos
“Dear Friend” – She Loves Me
“Far From the Home I Love” – Fiddler on the Roof
“Green Finch and Linnet Bird” – Sweeney Todd
“That’ll Show Him” – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Tenors
“Bright Star” – Bright Star
“Ladies’ Choice” – Hairspray
“Love to Me” – A Light in the Piazza
“One Song Glory” – Rent
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Which of these college audition songs are in your book?
And what role are you auditioning for next? We would love to hear all about it in the comments!
Need extra help? Just go through this free audition prep checklist!
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.