The selections listed here represent the wide stylistic range of Weill’s output. We encourage contestants to explore works with which they are not already familiar.

Many of Weill’s most famous songs are not included, as they are either not age-appropriate for Lenya applicants or do not allow a compelling dramatic presentation outside the context of the show. For different reasons, “Mack the Knife,” “September Song,” “My Ship,” “Lost in the Stars,” “Tschaikowsky,” “The Saga of Jenny,” and “Speak Low” have seldom scored well in the Competition.

Throughout the history of the competition, a number of selections have been performed with such frequency each year that it’s difficult for the judges to hear them afresh, particularly when there is so much wonderful material to choose from that isn’t over-exposed. In the Weill category, four such perennials are “What Good Would the Moon Be?,” “It Never Was You,” “I’m a Stranger Here Myself,” and “Lonely House.” Before you settle on any of these, consider less frequently performed alternatives.