[star2ballie]

So, for my birthday I mainly got cash, and I'm going to use it all for theatre stuff, obviously. New Capezio pointes and jazz shoes...yum.

I would also like to get some more MT anthologies for auditions and such. I have an incredibly sad collection of them at a grand total of: 2 books. Shocking, I know!! I have lots of other loose sheets of music.
I have the First Book of Broadway Solos for Soprano & The Musical Theatre Anthology for Teens.

What should I get?

PLEAAASE help me out, guys! Thanks!

[pish123c]

I think you should send the money to me.


Seriously though, If it were me, I'd probably go buy a bunch of cast recordings of musicals.

[Sweeney Hyde]

Cast recordings are always great, but I think it is astounding that people don't think to buy all the scripts there are out there of famous musicals.

I'll hopefully talk to you tonight in detail.

[star2ballie]

I don't want recordings because I already have a LOT, and I don't think those will help me in the audition room.

Seriously though, what anthologies/books do you have that you like?

[pish123c]

i don't own many scripts or musical scores.

i always wait till i know what i'm auditioning for, then i buy the script/music to better prepare for it.

[MaryMag]

Spend your cash on a good printer cartridge. THEN:

go to your local library, check out the scores of shows you like, take them home, and photocopy them.

I have 4 2 inch binders filled with photocopied sheet music I did not pay for. I forget what's in there even.

[star2ballie]

I'll try that too, MaryMag. Thanks for the tip.

The thing is, my library SUCKS. The surrounding libraries don't, but the nearest one is an hour away. There used to be inter-library transit where you would get the book you requested from the other library in about 2 days, and that was great. However, my amaaaazing governor just cut money for everything. Libraries, schools, hospitals...I mean EVERYthing. So, the library cut the transit program. AH! I will try to make my way out to the 'big city' and get some and copy my fool head off. But until then...?

(Oh, and I am not looking for anything for a specific show right now...mainly for college auditions. I've got a bunch of songs but I'd like a wider selection to choose from.)

[pinkstiletto510]

i love those Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology books (I think theres 4 volumes out for each voice part) but heres a tip- buy them used because it's cheaper (left over money = buy more)

amazon is a good place to check out

[Sweeney Hyde]

I helped her find them for a good price! I don't know how much she has left over though...

[what_the_heck013]

[OneSongGlory]

I think you should save your $$ and whenever you want sheet music, just shoot me an email. My score library is pretty damn big and completely digital, I don't mind sharing

Go make a trip down to the city.

[Brigantine]

Definitely get the Musical Theater Anthology books. they are terrific. Specific to voice type, good mix of well known and lesser known shows, synposis and history of the shows, broadway run timeline, composer info... these are just really really great.
I've often heard a song somewhere... auditions or on TV or something... and then come across it in one of the books, thinking- I didn't even know I had that song in here!! Awesome! Now I can learn it too.

[jazzygirlsings]

If you haven't already, buy "Audition" by Michael Shurtleff! LOL! C'mon! You knew I was gonna say it! LOL!

Also, "The Complete Professional Musical Theatre Audition" is a great book...

If you have never read "Making it on Broadway", that is one of my favorite books about the business EVER! It is a collection of stories from Broadway actors regarding everything from their first jobs/apartments to stage disasters, to Tony awards, to auditioning experiences...I highly recommend it!

[Bianca.]

I have to say.. the Musical Theatre Anthologies' songs don't impress me.

They tend to be on everyone's back burner.. and get used ALOT.


I'd say save it.. don't use it all at once.. and hit up musicnotes.com whenever something you REALLY like comes your way.

[star2ballie]

[opheliarose]

Get a set of YogaToes. They will make your dancing feet happy!

[MsDivaKate]

Another book I love about the performance buisness/that's applicable to life in general is called "Shine". I'll need to check with my sister about the author (or maybe someone here is familiar with it) but it was recommended to my sister by her vocal coach and its all about working to your full potential, rising to the top and getting what you want in life.


As for the Musical Theatre Anthalogies, I tend to find many songs in those books horribly overdone, though there are the few gems that pop out every now and then.

I tend to invest more in individual vocal selections/scores from various lesser known musicals. My two recent purcases were Dear World (to replace the book I lost) and Starting Here, Starting Now.

[jazzygirlsings]

Another great self-help kind of book for actors is "Smart Actors, Foolish Choices" by Katherine Mayfield. It deals with everything from how to deal with rejection, to audition nerves, to dealing with obstacles in search of your goal...etc.

It's really helpful and I probably could use another good read of it right about now. LOL!

[MsStarlite]

MaryMag had the best answer and if the surrounding libraries have the best selection, use the inter-library loan program! If the libraries are affiliated or in the same county as your home library, chances are they will share resources. Ask someone at your library about it, I do it all the time. Borrow the books, make your copies, and use the rest of your money to go SEE a good show! You can even go online and see if the libraries in your area have an online catalog or even an online loan request system. You enter your library card number, a pin number (if you have that set up) and voila! You get a notice in the mail that the books you want are waiting at your local library for you Not only do they have compilations, but they have scores, librettos, they even have some shows on VHS, DVD, and several soundtracks on CD! I've even seen dance and voice instruction on VHS. I don't vouch for the quality of instruction, but hey... it's there to check out!