And They're Off (From "A New Brain"): Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection captures Finn's distinctive voice across multiple shows, offering singers access to songs that showcase vulnerability, wit, and technical sophistication in equal measure. The variety spans comedy numbers, introspective ballads, and ensemble pieces, giving you material that actually challenges singers to find character and emotional truth rather than just hit notes. Alfred's presentation of these pieces in original keys with audition-ready cuts means your students have professional-grade resources from day one.

Finn's music balances emotional specificity with theatrical charm. You'll encounter moments of raw vulnerability ('When the Earth Stopped Turning,' 'The Phone Call') alongside infectious wit and comedic precision ('My Unfortunate Erection,' 'What Am I Doin'?'). The songs feel like conversations you're having with the audience, intimate and urgent, even when the subject is surreal or absurd.

This collection is designed for singers preparing auditions, whether you're a high school student auditioning for college programs or a professional actor maintaining your musical theatre repertoire. If you're drawn to contemporary musical theatre with literary merit and harmonic sophistication, Finn's work belongs in your library. The multiple volumes ensure you can find pieces that sit authentically in your vocal range.

• Attend to Finn's rhythmic precision. His melodies often sit conversationally over complex harmonic movement, so lock in the accompaniment's pulse before worrying about vocal flourish.
• Research the character and scene context for each song. Finn's lyrics reward specificity; a song like 'My Unfortunate Erection' demands comedic timing and vulnerability simultaneously, and understanding the dramatic moment transforms the performance.
• Mark dynamic shifts carefully. Finn frequently moves between intimate, almost spoken passages and soaring vocal lines within a single song. These transitions are structural, not decorative.
• Use the 16-bar cut suggestions as a starting point, but consider how Finn's musical ideas develop across the full song. Sometimes a longer cut serves the audition better if the character arc depends on it.

Feature these songs in audition coaching sessions to expose singers to contemporary musical theatre writing beyond the standard Sondheim/Rodgers canon. Program Finn selections in recitals or cabaret-style events where character-driven storytelling takes priority over spectacle. Use them in voice lessons as etudes for navigating complex meters, modal harmony, and emotional nuance that prepare singers for twenty-first-century musical theatre.

• Rhythmic precision in conversational, syncopated vocal lines
• Character work and emotional authenticity in comedic and introspective material
• Navigating complex harmonic movement while maintaining vocal legibility
• Interpretation of contemporary musical theatre language and style
• Audition preparation skills using authentic material in original keys