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Early Musical Theatre, Vaudeville and Operetta Project (EVO): How To

Your One Stop Page for Instructions and Materials for Your EVO Project!

Assignment

ASSIGNMENT

The booklet (found on the home page) and this libguide includes the information you will need to select and prepare your first song for the second term of Musical Theatre Performance. This project includes materials encompassing Vaudeville, Operetta, Gilbert and Sullivan, George M. Cohan, Irving Berlin, and other examples of Early Musical Theatre songs.

 

Your song must be chosen from the list in the booklet. Some of the songs you will have seen in whole or in part in Film Lab Classes. Many other songs you may not be familiar with are included in the music listing under the Music and Songs tab. 

Assignment Components

EVO Tracks to Listen To

After you receive your assignment, head to the library website. Click on the 'Research Guides' tab and then click the link to go to the 'EVO Project' Once you get to the home page, click on the 'Music and Songs' tab. On that page you'll find links to Google Drives with all the songs to listen to!

Important: You can only access the drives with your AMDA email address. 

Work Sheets

You'll be turning in your song choices on the worksheets located in the back of your booklet or on the 'Music and Songs' tab of this libguide. 

Printing Out Your Sheet Music

Your Teacher will be giving out song assignments based on your research and role choices. Once you recieve your song assignment, come back up to the library desk and say "I am doing the EVO Project. May I please have (insert song name) in (insert song key)?" The library employees will print out the correct sheet music for you and charge your Papercut account. It is very important to let them know you're doing the EVO Project. 

Advice

ADVICE

Here are some tips from previous AMDA students who have completed this project:

• Start as soon as you get it - there is no way to go through it all fast

• Listen to EVERYTHING!

• Even if you’ve already found enough songs, keep searching

• Do something you haven’t done before

• It’s really about breaking things down into sections

• Don’t be overwhelmed by the amount of songs

• Don’t wait

• Really listen to the songs and care about the project

• Analyze each song carefully and do as much research on your character as you can

• Enjoy your work

• Take advantage of being in New York and use the different Libraries and various resources

• Don’t get lazy

• Seize the classics - there are so many thrilling performers in this era and great roles to play

• Listen to all versions of the song that you like

• Use all the time the teacher gives to do the project

• Keep the project forever as it will always be useful

• Don’t take it lightly. Do as much research as possible. You’ll learn so much.

• Continue researching after you’re done with the project

• Really pay attention to the lyrics

• Have fun!

Song Preparation

PREPARATION OF YOUR SONG

  1.  As soon as you receive this booklet, begin listening to the EVO tracks in this guide (found under the Music and Songs tab). 
  2. Choose your song. Don’t just “pick a song to sing”. Know what you hope to learn from working on your chosen song.
  3. Get the sheet music from the AMDA Performing Arts Library and get a taping of your song. Do not wait until the last minute as tapings fill up quickly. Go to the staff working at the Library Desk and let them know you're working on the EVO Project. They'll be able to guide you on how to get the appropriate sheet music from there. 
  4. Prior to the end of the first term, bring your song to your private voice teacher and have it approved by them as suitable for your vocal abilities. Bear in mind that changing keys is permissible for most of the songs from this era. (The songs from Gilbert and Sullivan and other Operettas should be done in the original keys).
  5. If your song needs to be transposed, this should be determined during first semester tapings. The AMDA Musical database may have an alternate key for you and your first semester accompanist or your taping accompanist(s) will work together to get you the sheet music in the correct key, if available. The accompanists will need time to get the sheet music to you before the semester ends, so plan ahead.
  6. Commence research on your song so that you will be able to complete the required paperwork. While much of the research material is available at the AMDA Performing Arts Library, you may also refer to the attached list of additional sources to find information. It is crucial that you do extensive research so that your performance can be period specific. Please also use the resources and guidance given to you during your flim lab research class. 
  7. In addition to being ready to perform your song the first day of the new term, do your Song Chart in the same manner as you did during the first term and submit it to your new instructor along with your Research Dossier and Song Dossier.
  8. For Gilbert and Sullivan and other operetta songs paperwork is the same as first semester- Song Dossier, Song Chart and Research Dossier. You must read and listen to the complete operetta in addition to doing your period research.
  9. For songs not from operettas your song dossier will be created from your imagination combined with your period research. As you’re learning in Film Lab, these early librettos are paper thin, so even if a script is available, it will only be a small part of your research. You must bring your personality, imagination and essence to the song and create your own character that EVO producers would want to hire. Ask yourself, “What is my ACT?”. “Where would I fit on a vaudeville bill?”
  10. Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to speak to your current musical theatre teacher, your film lab instructor, or the AMDA Performing Arts Library staff