<p>Is is when the song was written? Or when the musical was written/released that makes a song classic vs contemporary?</p>
<p>So, for example, are the Gershwin songs from Nice Work if You Can Get It classic or contemporary? So obviously the songs are classics, but if the musical isn’t a classic do they count? Good question!</p>
<p>EXACTLY!!</p>
<p>S’s uptempo is I’ve Gotta Be There - from Nice Work if You Can Get It. It was also in Pardon My English, it was written well before Nice Work. (not sure if they are the exact same version but the one he uses is from Nice Work) One of his ballads, his favorite one, is definitely classic so when the school specifies one of each he’s never positive which to use. He really is a classic guy, so to sing two classics (as long as they don’t break the rules) shows his style. I’m not sure if its just because he’s a baritone or if he just hasn’t exposed himself to more contemporary musicals but his heart is with the classics. He has a contemporary ballad so he can default to that.</p>
<p>Rider’s guidelines ask for uptempo and ballad, one classic and one contemporary. He really wants to use is the classic ballad so we got to wondering if he could use that uptempo or not. Nothing like a debate at the last minute…</p>
<p>I believe the date written is the key here, but hopefully someone else will chime in. Our daughter’s voice teacher calls them 1st, 2nd, and 3rd period pieces depending on dates.</p>
<p>Gershwin is definitely not contemporary.</p>
<p>I think it is what actingmt wrote above…WHEN it was written is what counts. And Gershwin music is not contemporary. </p>
<p>He might be fine with his two first choice songs at many schools, but if a program actually states that they want a contemporary song, I would not consider that song in that category. AND I would follow the guidelines of course.</p>
<p>When The D participated in vocal competitions, what made a song classic or contemporary was when the song was written. Shenandoah states that one of the songs be from the Golden Age or pre-Golden Age era and the years are 1940-1964 - Rodgers and Hammerstein, Rodgers and Hart, Porter and GERSHWIN are on the list. I would use that as a guideline.</p>
<p>Gotcha! That was his point of view I was trying to find a loop hole LOL</p>
<p>Some of his schools say up tempo and ballad, only. Some indicate that plus one must be a classic. Rider specifically states one of each style.</p>
<p>Different schools have different cutoffs for what they consider “contemporary” repertoire; I’ve seen 1960 (Penn State), 1965 (Michigan), and 1980 (Tulane). So definitely check each school’s requirements and follow them to the letter.</p>