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I have much to be thankful for in both my career and life, but this week goes on the list of fortunate events in my music career. A complete stranger, Andy, found my website and wanted to donate a large collection of sheet music and LPs (those old recordings that look like giant CDs for you young ones out there!) to me, as he thought I could use them for myself and my students.
Andy had a very prolific music career and is now a small business owner in League City. We had a great chat and I got to hear personal stories about some of the all-time greats I have only heard and seen on Youtube videos. And the collection!...I was expecting a few recordings and some sheet music collections, but he gave me BOXES. I'm sorting through them right now and trying figure out the first LP I want to listen to! So...thank you Andy. This means a lot to me (and my students!) and I am so grateful you thought of me. The music will be put to good use. DWS Many singers are curious about how long they can sing without causing vocal problems. At first, the length one can sing depends greatly on how efficient and clean your vocal process is. Beginning students will find it hard to sing full-out for more than hour, but rapidly gain stamina as their vocal technique improves. However, how you pace yourself during rehearsal is vital. Simply put, singing loud or soft all the time is far more wearing on the voice than varying the volume, with proper breath support, during rehearsal. There is a reason why professional singers get several run-thrus before the first performance; just like a great marathon runner, you have to figure out when to sprint and when to conserve your energy.
I remember this pacing most vividly in a performance of Mendelssohn's Elijah. Elijah is a massive oratorio, and the role of Elijah is very demanding for any baritone soloist. While I could easily sing any of the individual songs in isolation, having to sing 4 solos and numerous recitatives and ensembles is extremely taxing if sung all at once. In the first run-thru, I had to figure out how when to 'coast' as a singer, and when to push myself so that I could make it through the performance sounding excellent throughout. Then I had to modify my 'vocal strategy' in the second run-thru with orchestra, and discovering there were parts I had to sing louder so that the orchestra did not overwhelm my voice. Elijah was a great lesson for me on how to manage a taxing lead role with orchestra. DWS Congratulations to the following students who made the Texas All-State Choir for 2014! They will be performing in February in San Antonio with literally 'the best of the best.' It is a tremendous and highly competitive honor to make the All-State Choir.
So far, 2014 is looking bright! My high school and private students are sounding great and I've really enjoyed hearing them again with fresh ears from my winter break. I'm looking forward to the following events this January.
Texas City HS Musical "Legally Blonde" - Most of my students have a lead the musical, so I'm thrilled and can't wait to hear them sing, act and dance! All-State Tryouts this weekend - I have four men competiting for All-State spots! TUTS Auditions this Friday - Several of my adult and high school students are auditioning for mainstage and student musical theater shows with TUTS, one of the premier musical theater companies in town. DWS The new year starts off busy as I have four students seeking a spot in the All-State Choir next Saturday. And then student recitals, some concerts of mine, and a baby on the way in late March. Yikes!
I'll be posting more frequently about concerts and such as the school year begins. And if you have any pieces of advice for a "soon-to-be dad," I'm all ears! DWS |
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