Back to Before (From "Ragtime"): Piano/Vocal/Chords

This volume anchors singers in authentic Broadway material that demands real vocal maturity without relying on technical pyrotechnics. Flaherty's "Back to Before" sits alongside an expertly curated collection that respects both the integrity of the original scores and the practical needs of singers preparing auditions and recitals. The editorial apparatus (historical notes, 16-bar cuts, audition guidance) transforms this from a song collection into a learning tool that teaches musicality and professional standards simultaneously.

Opening this collection reveals decades of theatrical storytelling distilled into songs that move between intimacy and spectacle. Flaherty's "Back to Before" carries the bittersweet intelligence of Ragtime itself; surrounding it are standards that range from tender vulnerability to defiant joy, each one written for a singer's voice rather than against it.

Singers preparing Broadway auditions, building recital repertoire, or studying musical theatre interpretation at the intermediate to advanced level. This collection serves both students working toward performance careers and experienced singers deepening their command of the standard American musical theatre canon.

• Study the historical context provided for each song; understanding the dramatic arc of the show deepens your interpretation and makes your performance choices coherent rather than arbitrary.
• Use the suggested 16-bar cuts for auditions, but also perform the complete song in practice to understand the full emotional trajectory and how your cut functions within it.
• Treat the chord symbols as a resource for collaboration with accompanists, but also as a framework for understanding harmonic movement and phrasing in relation to the melody.
• Reference the original vocal scores whenever possible to check tempo, dynamic, and style markings that might not appear in a simplified transcription.

Program this as a song recital in its own right, mixing periods and moods to showcase vocal range and interpretive skill. Alternatively, select individual songs to build a themed program (songs about memory, songs about transformation, songs about resilience) that demonstrates how musical theatre lyrics and melodies serve character development. The 16-bar cuts also make individual selections accessible for student recitals and studio showcases where full-length pieces would be impractical.

• Interpreting character and dramatic context within a song
• Sustaining legit vocal production in contemporary musical theatre writing
• Understanding harmonic function and how it supports melodic shape
• Making informed audition cuts that preserve musical and emotional coherence
• Sight-reading from chord symbols and lead sheets
• Balancing fidelity to the original score with individual artistic interpretation