VOCAL ADVANTAGE: TONE (part 3), by Dina Else (no. 22 in a series) This week I’d like to share another excerpt from Diagnosis and Correction of Vocal Faults by James McKinney. He does an excellent job of helping ‘teachers of singing’ clarify their thoughts and terminology. I use the below exercise often in my […]
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“Vocal Advantage: Tone (part 2)” by Dina Else
VOCAL ADVANTAGE: TONE (part 2), by Dina Else (no. 21 in a series) As we begin our discussions on tone I’d like to share McKinney’s opening statements on the topic in his book Diagnosis and Corrections of Vocal Faults: Characteristics of a Musical Tone Musical tone has five characteristic properties or essential elements: […]
From Gesture to Sound – Face It
Stick Time: How Will You Choose to Listen?
The first of ACDA’s seven divisional conferences takes place next week. For those fortunate enough to be able to attend, those events will provide a rich opportunity to listen, learn, and grow. But here’s a question: HOW will you choose to listen to the concerts? No, not “hear” the concerts . . . LISTEN. […]
Stick Time: Rehearsals Must Not be Joyless
In our daily rehearsals, choral conductors push, push again, and push some more! We demand ever-higher levels of musicianship, of poetic communication, and of artistic accomplishment from our choirs. Some days we’re woodshedding with a chain saw, while on others we’re cutting with a scalpel. We may fuss endlessly on the release of a single […]
Stick Time: Gimme Rabid Singers
The larger the choral ensemble, the harder the director will have to work to create subtle expressiveness and clear details. Not, however, because of the sum of the bodies present and usual “muddiness” of the typical large group delivery, but rather because of the lower ratio of concentrated effort from each individual. (excerpted from the […]