10 of the Best Holiday-Inspired Audition Songs

Written by Meghan Mitchell

November 12, 2017

It’s that time of year again! Auditioning for holiday work has a unique advantage and disadvantage—much like Shakespeare, there is only so much material in the Christmas cannon when looking for sheet music. When searching for that perfect piece that will ‘wow’ your perspective directors, there are the old favorites, and there are also some hidden gems. Below is a list of some famous — and not-so-famous — options to fill out your book for this coming holiday season.

1. “Love, You Didn’t do Right By Me” from White Christmas



This is a jazz standard that transcends the holiday season and can be used all year round. This 11 o’clock number is a great stand-alone piece for that sultry lounge singer.

Get the Sheet Music Here

2. “O Holy Night” from Glee



A classic song made contemporary… with as many riffs as a performer can muster.  This rendition is brought to you by Lea Michelle—taking classic Christmas and adding in your own style is all part of the fun!

Get the Sheet Music Here

3. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Michael Buble



A great trick when looking for audition music (especially holiday music) is to find your favorite song, and gender bend it! Michael Buble’s rendition of this Mariah Carey hit turns a pop standard into crooner gold.

Get the Sheet Music Here

4. “Christmas Lullaby” from Songs For A New World



This Jason Robert Brown song has, comparatively, easier accompaniment than his other more difficult piano pieces. This is a beautiful ballad for a pop soprano that is a perfect story-telling song.

Get the Sheet Music Here

5. “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” from How the Grinch Stole Christmas



A song that is meant for the super-bass of basses—who doesn’t love this old classic!

Get the Sheet Music Here

6. “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” from White Christmas



This song was made famous by Bing Crosby in the film White Christmas. As a sort of lullaby, this song is a classic that also transcends the holiday season.

Get the Sheet Music Here

7. “Surabaya Santa” from Songs for a New World



Another classic JRB from “Songs for a New World”—a challenging stand-alone piece for a strong alto looking to explore different characters, all while playing a semi-bi-polar Mrs. Claus.

Get the Sheet Music Here

8. “We Need a Little Christmas” from Mame



Mame is a forgotten gem of a musical, and this Christmas hit can be sung as a solo or group number. A great up-beat piece for trimming up the tree!

Get the Sheet Music Here

9. “Ralphie to the Rescue” from A Christmas Story



This modern take on a Christmas film favorite has some great songs brought to you by that incomparable duo, Pasek and Paul. Ralphie is the child lead in this musical, leading to some awesome understated hits.

Get the Sheet Music Here

10. “Sally’s Song” from The Nightmare Before Christmas



Celebrating two holidays at once is quite unusual, but this Tim Burton classic does it in style. Danny Elfman does the score for this cult Disney film—Sally’s Song is a whimsical piece for a character soprano.

Get the Sheet Music Here


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Meghan Mitchell is a working actor who graduated cum laude from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois with a B.A. in Musical Theatre. She loves Shakespeare and nightly fireworks, and after working regionally and on ships, she is now proud to call Orlando her home.