The Bed Was Not My Own (from "Hello Again"): Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection gives singers and pianists direct access to repertoire that rarely appears in standard sheet music catalogs. LaChisua's harmonic language rewards serious study; the songs are written for performers who can handle unexpected key relationships and sophisticated rhythmic figures without oversimplifying them. Programming any of these pieces signals that your program values theatrical integrity and compositional craft.

LaChisua's music occupies a space where theatrical storytelling meets art song sensibility. These pieces feel intimate even in ensemble settings; the harmonies often surprise, the lyrics cut with emotional precision, and the piano writing suggests a composer equally at home in the concert hall and the theatre. There is intelligence in every measure and emotional authenticity beneath every harmonic turn.

This collection serves advanced vocalists and pianists who are ready for material beyond standard musical theatre repertoire, as well as theatre programs seeking to expand their contemporary music offerings. Voice teachers and coaches working with students preparing for college auditions or professional performance will find distinctive pieces that showcase a singer's ability to handle sophisticated music.

• Study the harmonic progression carefully before touching the keys. LaChisua's chord choices often serve dramatic purpose, and a performance that rushes through unfamiliar harmony will lose the emotional weight beneath the surface.
• Coordinate with your vocalist on the relationship between the piano part and the vocal line. These are not accompaniment vehicles; the piano often carries thematic material or harmonic commentary that shapes how the song lands.
• Attend to dynamics and articulation markings with care. In LaChisua's work, a sudden change in texture or touch often signals a shift in the character's emotional state or interior thought.
• Resist the urge to over-romanticize the phrasing. Many of these songs benefit from a more conversational, naturalistic delivery that lets the harmonic and lyrical content speak directly.

Use individual songs from this collection to program concert seasons that honor contemporary musical theatre composition. A single LaChisua song paired with classic standards or art songs demonstrates the continuity between musical theatre and vocal music tradition. These pieces also serve as audition material for advanced singers and as study scores for musicians learning to navigate contemporary harmonic language.

• Reading complex harmonic progressions and unexpected key relationships
• Coordinating piano and vocal lines where both carry thematic material
• Interpreting stage directions and subtext embedded in musical notation
• Managing rhythmic precision in non-traditional time signatures and syncopated figures
• Balancing theatrical expression with musical sophistication