Hello Again (from "Hello Again"): Piano/Vocal/Chords

LaChisua's melodic gifts shine across every page here. Whether you're hunting for audition material that stands apart from the standard repertoire or seeking songs that reward close musical study, this collection offers sophisticated vocal writing that respects both the singer and the listener. The range of shows represented means you can program these songs in nearly any theatrical context without feeling repetitive.

These songs pulse with intelligence and emotional precision. LaChisua writes vocal lines that sit comfortably in the voice while challenging singers to find nuance in every phrase, and his harmonies create a sense of both warmth and underlying tension. The music feels literary; it moves like a scene rather than a conventional song.

Singers preparing audition material, music theater performers seeking challenging contemporary repertoire, and pianists who want to deepen their understanding of modern theatrical composition. This collection also serves music teachers and coaches looking for songs that demonstrate sophisticated songwriting craft beyond the standard repertoire.

• Study the harmonic language before diving into the vocal line. LaChisua's chords often contain unexpected movement that informs phrasing and breath placement.
• Attend to lyrical subtext as carefully as you would in a classical art song. These songs often contain irony or emotional complexity that changes how you approach dynamics and tempo.
• Use the piano part as a conversation partner, not just accompaniment. The composer frequently writes dialogue between voice and keyboard that shapes the interpretation.
• Lean into the theatrical specificity of each piece. Each song exists in a particular dramatic moment; understanding the character's situation will clarify your musical choices.

Pair individual songs with classic theater repertoire to create programming that spans different compositional eras and approaches. These pieces work beautifully in recitals devoted to contemporary musical theater, or interspersed throughout a season to introduce audiences to LaChisua's work. The diversity of shows represented means you can find material suited to different voice types and dramatic situations.

• Reading complex harmonic progressions and understanding functional harmony in contemporary theater music
• Interpreting theatrical subtext and translating dramatic context into musical choices
• Executing clean chord changes and managing piano/vocal balance in music with intricate accompaniment
• Sustaining lyrical coherence across longer musical phrases while managing contemporary song forms