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Auditions: Four Vocalists for Concept EP Recording

 

Wishing ~ Tree, A New Musical Play

by Wayne A. Carringer

FOUR VOCALISTS NEEDED

Join the Cast of Wishing ~ Tree. Auditions for vocalists :

Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Bari-Tenor, and Baritone, to record a four-song concept EP of the original musical play, Wishing ~ Tree, with the potential for future regional production opportunities.

The basic instrumental tracks are recorded. We need your voice to bring the songs to life. If you have a passion for singing and want to be part of an exciting new project, send your contact information to Wayne Carringer at wayne.carringer@gmail.com. Audio samples available on the Music Demos page.

WISHING ~ TREE 
PROJECT HISTORY :

In late 2023, after a year of studying arranging and composition online with Mr. Jens Wendelboe, Wayne and Jens decided to work on a larger project which evolved into the original musical play, Wishing ~ Tree.

Wishing ~ Tree is a full-length musical orchestrated for five vocalists and 10-piece ensemble using original, folk, traditional and cover songs to discover a family’s remarkable journey through history, from their origins in 1639 Cape Cod to present-day Pittsburgh. Inspired by historic events.

Audition MP3s Available.

Song, Character & Scene Details :

  1. The Promise (Where We Are Bound) [Original song].
    - Singers: Mezzo-Soprano and Baritone duet.
    Act I, Scene 2, 1639 Cape Cod (pastoral farm scene): RICHARD and RUTH TAYLOR, just married, survey their new farm where they will make a new life together. This duet is the couple's promise to each other as they share their hopes for the future as subsistence farmers tilling the hard, loamy, nutrient-poor soil.
    Progress: Recorded basic audio tracks, acoustic guitar, flute and oboe.
    Need to record Mezzo and Baritone vocals.
  2. The Water Is Wide [Traditional folk song] lyrics rewritten for the musical play.
    - Singers: Alto and Bari-Tenor duet.
    Act I, Scene 8, early 1800s, Massachusetts: JASHER and DOLLY TAYLOR look back on their lives as they prepare for the long and dangerous journey to make a new life in the backwoods of Ohio.
    Progress: Recorded basic audio tracks and acoustic guitar.
    Need to record Alto and Bari-Tenor vocals.
  3. Rye Whiskey [Traditional folk song] lyrics rewritten for the musical play.
    - Singer: solo Bari-Tenor, comedic scene. A “howler” of a song.
    Act II, Scene 13, 1901, Pittsburgh. DEVILLA TAYLOR is celebrating the election of President McKinley when he is arrested for driving his team of horses while intoxicated.
    Basic tracks: need recorded and Bari-Tenor vocal.
  4. Mother's Eyes [Original song] (Theatrical version) & (Single version).
    - Singers: Baritone with Mezzo-Soprano duet.
    Act II, Scene 19, present-day Pittsburgh: JIM and ROSE worry about becoming caregivers to their granddaughter, LILLIE, after she loses both of her parents.
    Progress: Recorded basic audio tracks and acoustic guitar. 
    Need to record Mezzo and Baritone vocals, electric guitar and bass.

(Click here for Musical Play Demo Samples.)

(Click here for Recording Studio photos.)

Character Details :

ROSE MORTON (Main character) | Mezzo-Soprano, strong, emotive belter. Range: B♭3-A5. (Plays 48+, Doubles ages 20-50+).
Present-day character, 2018: ROSE is LILLIE’s grandmother, mother of HANNAH VASQUEZ and happily married to JIM. ROSE is a light assembly worker, caregiver, tries to remain optimistic while grieving; aspired to be a rock singer.
Doubles historic character: RUTH TAYLOR, farmer (plays 20s), 1639.

JIM MORTON (Main character) | Low, resonant Baritone, falsetto above G4 (The comedian). Range: F2-B♭4. (Plays 48+, Doubles ages 20-50+).
Present-day character, 2018: JIM is LILLIE’s grandfather, father of HANNAH VASQUEZ and lovingly married to ROSE. This CHARACTER has been grieving, struggling but optimistic. JIM is an Iraq War veteran, heavy industry worker, aspiring singer and guitar player.
Doubles historic character: RICHARD TAYLOR, farmer (plays 20s), 1639.

JASHER TAYLOR (Supporting character) | Full Bari-Tenor, strong falsetto with comedic timing. Range: G2-B♭4. (Age 20-50, Doubles 20-50).
Doubles historic characters: JASHER TAYLOR, groom (plays 20s) 1778 to farmer (50s) 1811 with DOLLY TAYLOR.
Doubles as DEVILLA TAYLOR (30s), teamster (horses) in 1901 Pittsburgh.

DOLLY TAYLOR (Supporting character) | Low Alto, with full range: G3-F5 with a soulful quality. (Age 20-50, Doubles 20-50).
Doubles historic character: DOLLY TAYLOR, bride (plays 20s) 1778 to farmer (50s) 1811, duet with JASHER TAYLOR.

Presently, not casting LILLIE VASQUEZ (Main character) | Mid Alto, strong, but small sounding voice. Range: C4-~E5. (Age: 9-12, Plays ~10). | Present-day character, 2018.

Composed & Arranged by Wayne A. Carringer 
in consultation with Mr. Jens Wendelboe. 
Book by Wayne A. Carringer. Copyright © 2023-2026.
 

The Wishing ~ Tree storyline draws inspiration from 
the herstory of Mary Ann (Taylor) Morton family 
journey, researched and chronicled in the book : 
TAYLOR FAMILY HISTORY 1639 to Present 
by Mike Welsh & Wayne A. Carringer
Copyright © 2020.


Discovering the Herstory of Mary Ann (Taylor) Morton 
(my great-grandmother).

Taylor Family History cover. Photo: The Taylor children, Pittsburgh, PA circa 1890. Mary Ann (l), James (c), and Edna Taylor (r).  Photo courtesy of George Lodder, Edna's great-grandson.

Taylor Family History cover.
Photo: The Taylor children, Pittsburgh, PA circa 1890.
Mary Ann (l), James (c), and Edna Taylor (r). 
Photo courtesy of George Lodder, Edna's great-grandson.