CJ Replay: High School Vocal Abuse

“ . . . it is clear that in Greek and Roman times, in the writings of Hippocrates, Aristotle, Quintilian and others, the basic tenets of vocal hygiene were already outlined: regular physical exercise, careful eating habits, avoidance of vocal strain, and simple living.”

“Anyone who has taught in a high school is aware that vocal hygiene, as defined above, is not practiced by the average high school student. The student at an interscholastic football game usually breaks all four rules: sitting watching the game instead of participating; munching on hot dogs, popcorn, and soft drinks; cheering, yelling, and screaming at frequent intervals. How could anyone characterize this as "simple living"? As a vocal music teacher, one might be tempted to throw arms up in despair at this situation, and this is just the beginning. Other abuses are smoking, drug use, polluted air, lack of sufficient sleep, alcoholism, failure to dress adequately in foul weather, cheerleading, and musicals.”