Choral Caffeine: A Little Vocal Care

It’s already hit me, and I suspect you’ve faced it too. You know what I’m talking about . . . that change-in-the-weather, everyone-in-the-choir-is sick, exposed-to-all-their-germs upper respiratory infection that we all seem to get this time of year. It’s not a full-blown cold or flu, just a nagging sniffling, coughing, low-grade fever affair that takes us off the top of our game and makes speaking and singing a chore for a few days (mine hit just as the ACDA national board was arriving in town for three days of meetings. O, Bliss.).

But what if it was more than that? What if it was a serious vocal problem that required (horrors!) surgery to correct?

Cathy Reitz knows that particular nightmare. In her article, “Vocal Health – My Journey” (Wisconsin Soundings, Spring/Summer 2010) shares both the steps that led her to face a knife, and – most importantly – some simple techniques for maintaining good vocal health. A few of the points we ALL need to keep in mind as teachers and conductors are:

“Get enough sleep and drink enough water; it’s unlikely you get enough of either.” [guilty!]

“Listen to your body. If you feel something is wrong with your voice, don’t wait around. Get help! Your students will suffer if you’re too stubborn to give yourself time to recover from vocal abuse.”

“See a doctor (an otolaryngologist, if you can) or a voice therapist or take voice lessons from a fine, respected voice teacher.”

Let’s all try to take care of our voices . . . and by doing so to model good vocal health to our impressionable students.

(To access the full article, simply click the highlighted title. For additional articles on a dazzling array of choral topics, visit ChorTeach.)

Marie Grass Amenta says

October 13, 2011 at 10:53 am

Hi Scott,

I didn’t have time yesterday to respond to this or I would have. I am in a unique situation since I’ve been married to an otolaryngologist for 32 years–good vocal health (some times we call it “vocal hygiene”)is part of our lives. Many people don’t realize many things can be prevented but aren’t willing to do what’s required.

One thing, once the hacking and dripping starts around us, that seems so simple to do and can prevent a whole lotta sickies is to WASH YOUR HANDS. Wash your hands when you are around people who are sick before your touch your hands to any where near your face. Drink lots of clear fluids (non caffeinated) and go to bed early. Don’t eat (and what you eat is as important as when) after 7 pm or so if you can help it–Acid Reflux can make matters worse. And try to (physically) stay away from sick people.

I am rarely sick any more since–and this may sound crazy–I’ve been buying Sweetie-Pie inexpensive ties he can throw away. Especially in his practice, folks cough and hack and….well, I won’t get too descriptive….at his tie level. Talk about bringing your work home with you! There was an article about physicians ties being respositorys for germs a few years back and he started throwing ties away…I now go to the discount stores and get nice ones, not spending more than $12.99 on each and he throws them away every so often. The ties our kids get him for Father’s Day are never worn at work!

My semi-professional choir will have a concert on October 30 and for the last three weeks or so, I’ve haven’t had everyone at rehearsal at the same time. They laugh when I tell them to stay away from sick people, but I’m serious. If you put yourself in that postion and are not careful, you will get sick. We think we are “troopers” if we “soldier on” when we are sick, but staying home (to not expose others) and trying not to sing or speak if possible ( for ourselves) can make a huge difference.

My coffee needs a refill…….*talk* to you later, Scott!

Marie

Comments

Marie Grass Amenta says

October 13, 2011 at 10:53 am

Hi Scott,

I didn’t have time yesterday to respond to this or I would have. I am in a unique situation since I’ve been married to an otolaryngologist for 32 years–good vocal health (some times we call it “vocal hygiene”)is part of our lives. Many people don’t realize many things can be prevented but aren’t willing to do what’s required.

One thing, once the hacking and dripping starts around us, that seems so simple to do and can prevent a whole lotta sickies is to WASH YOUR HANDS. Wash your hands when you are around people who are sick before your touch your hands to any where near your face. Drink lots of clear fluids (non caffeinated) and go to bed early. Don’t eat (and what you eat is as important as when) after 7 pm or so if you can help it–Acid Reflux can make matters worse. And try to (physically) stay away from sick people.

I am rarely sick any more since–and this may sound crazy–I’ve been buying Sweetie-Pie inexpensive ties he can throw away. Especially in his practice, folks cough and hack and….well, I won’t get too descriptive….at his tie level. Talk about bringing your work home with you! There was an article about physicians ties being respositorys for germs a few years back and he started throwing ties away…I now go to the discount stores and get nice ones, not spending more than $12.99 on each and he throws them away every so often. The ties our kids get him for Father’s Day are never worn at work!

My semi-professional choir will have a concert on October 30 and for the last three weeks or so, I’ve haven’t had everyone at rehearsal at the same time. They laugh when I tell them to stay away from sick people, but I’m serious. If you put yourself in that postion and are not careful, you will get sick. We think we are “troopers” if we “soldier on” when we are sick, but staying home (to not expose others) and trying not to sing or speak if possible ( for ourselves) can make a huge difference.

My coffee needs a refill…….*talk* to you later, Scott!

Marie

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