Top 5 Full Length Female Ballads To Prepare for Your Next Master Class

Written by Alexandra Muscaro

December 18, 2017

So often in this industry, it seems as if no one ever wants to hear a song longer than 32-bars. That is why it is such an amazing treat when a performer has the opportunity to prepare and perform a full-length song in a professional setting. The setting: a master class. In college, most of the time a guest instructor will ask the students to prepare a full-length song to workshop. But what kind of song is best to bring into a master class setting? Lucky for you, we have gone through our entire collection and have selected the top 5 full length female ballads perfect for helping you get the most out of that master class!

1. “Woman” from The Pirate Queen



This song is the perfect song to bring to a master class! The main reason this song is our top choice is because the song is Grace’s  “I want song. ” The “I want song” is the song that the main character sings in a musical, telling of all their dreams and desires in song form because their emotions are so intense they demand to be sung. Because of the stakes and storytelling in this song, it is the perfect material to be coached on. The instructor will LOVE working with you, because you brought in a song that has so many elements to be explored.

Get the sheet music here.

2. “God Help the Outcasts” From Walt Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame



Nowadays, many musical theatre professionals suggest having a Disney song in your repertoire and this is one of the best because of its masterful story telling. The director will love working on this song because it has so many layers to explore. You will also learn so much from working on such a heartfelt piece with a professional director! Not to mention, the song is sure to showcase your stunning voice.

Get the sheet music here.

3. “On My Own” from Les Miserables



This song is one of the hardest songs to learn, and the point of a master class is to bring in material that is challenging. The director will absolutely help you understand and connect to the song. And when this song is done right, it can absolutely make you stand out as a performer.

Get the sheet music here.

4. “Maybe This Time” from Cabaret



This is another emotionally challenging piece. But when this song is given the right kind of help and direction it can be an incredible song to have in your book. The director of the master class will focus on the characterization and story the song is conveying, and the lessons you will learn from working on this song can be applied to every other song you will ever learn.

Get the sheet music here.

5. “My Own Space” from The Act



This song tells a very vulnerable story, and being vulnerable in a performance is one of the hardest tasks a performer faces. If you bring this song into a master class, the director will layout the steps and tools you will need to begin the exploration process. You will learn so much about vulnerability and story telling, and the lessons you learn from working on this song will carry over throughout your entire performance life.

Get the sheet music here.


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Alexandra Muscaro is from Tampa, Florida, and moved to New York to follow her dreams. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts with a dual concentration in Performance as well as Theatre History and Performance Texts with a Minor in Musical Theatre at Marymount Manhattan College. When she’s not rehearsing, dramaturging a developing play, or studying for theatre history, you will find her at the Metropolitan Museum of Art…specifically the Egyptian exhibit. Or check your local coffee shop and you may find her with her nose in a book. You can visit her website at alexandramuscaro.com.
Thumbnail: Photo by David Werbrouck on Unsplash