Home
(From "the Wiz"): Piano/Vocal/Chords

This anthology gives teen singers access to a thoughtfully curated range spanning decades of theatre history, from Rodgers and Hammerstein to contemporary writers like Stephen Schwartz. The inclusion of audition cuts, historical context, and vocal coaching notes transforms this from a songbook into a pedagogical resource. You're getting both the original vocal scores and recorded accompaniments, which means your students can rehearse independently while you focus your limited rehearsal time on artistry and interpretation.

Opening this anthology is like having a master class in musical theatre history at your fingertips. You move from the sharp comedic timing of "Don't Rain on My Parade" to the vulnerable introspection of "Home," discovering songs that feel written specifically for the voices and emotional intelligence of teenagers. Each piece carries the weight of real theatrical storytelling, yet remains genuinely singable for young performers still building technique and confidence.

This collection is designed for high school singers preparing for auditions, solo festivals, or concert performances. It works equally well for voice teachers seeking performance-ready material that matches their students' developing vocal skills and for choir directors building a repertoire of solos for talented singers in their ensemble.

• Study the historical and contextual notes provided for each song. Understanding the character's journey and the show's world informs phrasing choices and emotional authenticity.
• Use the 16-bar cut suggestions as starting points, but encourage singers to understand why these particular phrases work for auditions before assuming they're the only option.
• Work with the recorded accompaniment tracks to establish secure tempos and entrances, then gradually reduce reliance on them to build independence and confidence.
• Pay attention to the vocal range indicated for each song relative to your student's voice type. The anthology has already done range selection work for teen singers, but individual voices vary.

Feature selections from this book as solo performance opportunities within your spring musical theatre concert, pairing contrasting songs to showcase your singers' range and versatility. The accompanying CD makes this especially useful for audition preparation workshops or summer intensives where you want your students to have professional-quality rehearsal tracks. Consider programming a "Songs Through the Decades" concert that celebrates musical theatre's evolution while highlighting your most talented singers.

• Identifying and maintaining age-appropriate vocal range within character demands
• Applying historical and theatrical context to shape musical interpretation
• Working with professional-quality accompaniment tracks to develop independence
• Understanding audition strategy through cut selection and repertoire choice
• Navigating diverse musical theatre styles across multiple decades and composers