Developing Singing Skills with Sondheim - Dr Kathleen Connell

Stephen Sondheim’s contribution to 20th Century music theatre is undeniably important. Let's explore how singers can develop different vocal skills, including accurate intervals, through four Sondheim songs!

Anyone Can Whistle (from Anyone Can Whistle)

Vocal range (D4-G5)

Suitable for singers of all levels, ages and genders, this song is especially good for beginner singers. 

One of this song’s greatest challenges is its intervals of major and minor seventh. The seventh interval is just under an octave and can sound incomplete. But by not resolving this interval, Sondheim conveys the terrified character who can’t find their freedom.

Landing on the correct pitch can be challenging for singers of all levels. Learning seventh intervals develops accurate pitching. Encouraging singers to work on octaves before singing the seventh note can help them to learn and hear the small but vital difference. In ‘Anyone Can Whistle,’ this difference is especially vital because its awkward, unresolved sound communicates the complex, crippled character.

On the Steps of the Palace (from Into the Woods)

Vocal range (A3-E5)

Understanding the underlying rhythm is the main challenge in this song. The character, Cinderella, is stuck in tar, thrown by the prince on the palace steps to stop her from leaving.

Working on this song the singer will notice the accompaniment and the words are inseparable. There is a clockwork to the accompaniment that does not give room for any loss of concentration. The crunch of time is evident as Cinderella is on the one hand stuck on the steps of the palace, yet needs to fly home.

Most of the song sits in the female singer’s middle and low registers, which needs stability and balance. The upper notes can’t flip into pure head voice and the lower notes need light chest register, otherwise the sound will lose the young girl character.

This song is for an advanced, musically competent, vocally agile singer and helps develop precision in diction. The words need to bounce off the singer’s tongue quickly and crisply.

The ‘oo’ [u] sound needs attention on “shoes,” “lose” and “goo.” If the tongue shape is too tight or high it will sound out of tune. If the tongue is too far back these words lose their presence.

Sooner or Later (from the film, Dick Tracy)

Vocal range (F3-Bb4)

Written for and sung by Madonna for the 1990 film, this song is ideal for older female singers, and those with strong acting ability. Gina, an actress who works in my studio, says,

“You must embody the character of this song. Sondheim writes music that is designed to build the complexity of the character.”

‘Sooner or Later’ helps singers develop both their acting and vocal technique. The melody sits in a low chest voice and works well using a breathy sound or a clearer tone. The risky journey of this character is told in a torch like style. It helps develop a textured chest voice tone, with open throat. If your singer chooses a breathy tone, there needs to be a plan for well supported air flow for the long notes.

This song also expects specific vowels and interval moves of major and minor seconds and thirds, which help develop muscle and pitch memory to ensure correct pitch and tuning.

What Can You Lose (from the film, Dick Tracy)

Vocal range (B3-F#5)

Sung by Dick Tracy, this song is a private and intimate moment between the character and his feelings for Tess Truehart. Clear tuning and pitching abilities will achieve the intervals of seconds, thirds and fourths – sometimes in descending patterns, sometimes in rising patterns.

This song helps male singers develop their upper register and their use of vocal dynamics. Singers need to know their body and voice well enough to trust their soft singing. 

Learning how to work crescendos and decrescendos are important and using air flow is a skill needed to accomplish this musical device. It is essential your singer has competent breath control rather than pushing air which can cause the tone to tighten on a crescendo.

Check out more of Stephen Sondheim’s superbly-crafted songs to help develop your singers’ abilities.

---

About the Author

Dr Kathleen Connell

kathleen.connell7@gmail.com, 0402 409 106

Teaching a diverse range of singers for over 25 years Kathleen’s collaborative and creative approach is built on sustainable and evidence based vocal techniques and performance craft. She combines industry knowledge and clear models of singing pedagogy giving singers motivation and inspiration to achieve mastery.

By working closely with you, Kathleen Connell, can assign songs that help you target specific singing goals, that you will also enjoy singing. Find out more about working with Kathleen.

ANATS is the peak professional association for singing teachers in Australia. We help teachers of any style of singing to be the best they can be, by provide professional development, advocacy and community for singing teachers and other voice professionals across Australia.

We welcome members from all musical cultures, vocal styles and singing or teaching environments. We are committed to building an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our industry.