Will Voice Lessons affect my ensemble singing?

In voice lessons, it is my primary responsibility to train the singer as a SOLOIST in which each singer has an unique and easily-produced instrument.  However, most of my singers also sing in ensembles - chorus for a musical, choirs in high schools, small groups like duets etc... and a question comes up: Do you sing the same in your ensemble as you do as a solo singer?

The overall answer is yes.   Many of the exercises to create good diction, pure vowels, musicality, and a stable vibrato carry directly over into your ensemble singing.  Voice lessons will make you a much more VALUABLE ensemble singer because you will learn music more quickly, sing more musically, and sing in a much healthier and efficient manner.

The only issue that arises from voice lessons is volume; Singers in my voice studio are able to sing with tremendous power, especially on their high notes.  While singing loud is a great thing as a soloist, you literally may cover up your ensemble or duet partner.  When this happens, we may need to focus on 'sotto voce': in Italian, literally singing "under the voice."  We can work on exercises to allow you to sing high with a low volume so  you are able to blend with your ensemble.  Being able to sing quietly well is actually the sign of an excellent singer because it requires tremendous breath support and control.

DWS