Low male voice repertoire in contemporary musical theatre: a studio and performance guide of selected songs 1996-2020 by

Example 7.1. Modified Rhythm and Legato Vocalise for “Hellfire”. 
Vocalism. While the score has little marked expression to guide a teacher or student’s exploration 
of vocal sections, there are significant changes of texture, dynamic, and articulation found within the 
piano reduction and the album recording. By studying and analyzing these expressive options with their 
corresponding lyrical text, one can arrive at both the piece’s subtext and the inference that a great deal of 
vocal flexibility is needed throughout the character’s journey in this piece. The piece begins as a prayer, a 
search for guidance, which moves quickly through inner reflection towards an outward call for immoral 
action guided by brooding, dark, and lustful thoughts. Some of the most powerful and loud moments 
could benefit from the full, rich, and spinning qualities utilized by classically trained bass singers, while 
moments of fleeting, unnerved thoughts could be paired with a quick and staggered speech-like, subtle 
approach. This piece can also be a great piece as an acting-first exercise if a low-voiced singer or actor 
had less experience with sustained singing in their passaggio. 
Songs in a Similar Style. “Be Prepared” from The Lion King (1994), “Diamond in the Rough” 
from Aladdin (2014). 

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Table 7.3. “Friends on the Other Side” 
Movie Musical 
Music Lyrics 
Range 
Tessitura 
The Princess and the Frog 
(2009) 
Randy Newman 
Randy 
Newman 
F#
2
– G
4
Medium and 
Medium High, 
incredibly varied 
Musical Theatre Style 
Song Type/Feel 
Tempo 
Contemporary Legit 
New Orleans Jazz 
Varied 
Vocalism 
Breathy