Finding Song Options with Singer Todd Monroe

Todd began singing in public at the age of three and as an adult trained at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), The Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center, and continues with course work in the school of “Just Do It”. To drop a few names: He has studied under the watchful eye of David Brunetti, Karen Gustafson, Penny Fuller, John Bucchino, Marilyn Maye and Tyley Ross. To drop a few venues: Todd has performed at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, The Duplex and Don’t Tell Mama, toured back stage of the original Broadway production of “Chicago” in New York City. He’s toured the US singing in venues big and small. One to note: The Kiwanis Club of East Old Shoe, NE, or was it the Presbytery of Old North Shoe, SC . . . ?!? It’s not the content of a resume that people remember. People remember how we make them feel. What is important, on stage and off, is the way we treat the people we meet, the stories we share, the lives we touch along the way. Through one of these tips, may you find a song that brings you joy. Find him at ToddHMonroe.com

Choose songs that trigger you emotionally.

Here are the core emotions: Happy, Sad, Disgust, Anger, Fear, Surprise Acknowledge and accept your emotional state when you start any endeavor. Use it. Fighting it shuts down the process of discovery and expression.

Make Lists of songs categorized by themes that interest you.

Immediately brainstorm a list of 10 to 12 songs on theme Themes could be anything - Holidays, Food, Flora/Fauna, Weather, Emotions, Relationships, Colors, Sports, Machinery . . . anything Google themes New York Public Library (NYPL) Online Song Index – search key words in song titles For all of these tips, you’re looking for quantity. Reserve quality judgements for another time, if at all. A well-crafted arrangement and performance can mask a multitude of composer/lyricist sins. The opposite is also true. An unskilled performance can weaken a well-crafted song.

Mind Dump

Set aside a time and a special place for a mental meander. Relax. Write down every song that floats into your brain, every song you ever heard.

Research – Read musical material of all eras, genres, styles, arrangements . . . everything.

Scores, Collections, Anthologies, Sheet Music, Biographies, Books of Lyrics, Music Publisher sites

Research – Listen to recordings and live performances of all eras, genres, styles, arrangements . . . everything, everywhere.

YouTube, Serious XM Radio, Radio AM/FM, Streaming Services, Movie soundtracks, Cast Recordings, Muzak, LPs, CDs, Music and recording sales site previews (Amazon, Apple, Pianotrax.com, MusicNotes.com), Live Performances – Clubs, Concerts, Shows, what people are humming around you.

Ask friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances.

Themes, Favorites, What triggers them emotionally, Important moments, Top 10 songs that immediately come to mind, The only song they’d take with them to a deserted island, A song they never want to hear again.

Follow the recordings, performances and writings of your favorite artists and songwriters.

Follow those they follow.

Search out new songwriters.

Google search, NewMusicalTheatre.com

Be a producer.

Commission a piece, Write your own

There are no “helpful” rules, cultural conventions or societal norms.

I’ve gotten yelled at in classes for singing songs from roles for which I’d never be cast. There are a bazillion and one reasons why you’d not be cast in a role. They’re all limiting and short-sighted. Certainly if you’re auditioning for Marian, it might not be the best choice to give ‘em Jud Fry. But these tips are about finding material. There is a time and place for everything. Imagine the thousands of places a woman can go with “Lonely Room”; or a man, with “My White Knight”. Finding the intersection of your truth and that of a song, any song, opens the pathway to a magical experience for all. It’s important to know your audience and be considerate when choosing what to perform. For your own exploration, education and amusement, let there be no rules . . . as a rule.

Expert Insight