The effects of singing on the brain

This is a fantastic article by the BBC about the effects of singing on alzheimers and dimentia patients. Check it out!

New Warm-up CD is available

I’ve created a new warm-up CD. It is currently only available for download from my website, but soon will be available through CD Baby and several other online music retailers. It includes a bonus track with information about breath support and other helpful tips to improve your voice. Take a look at the information about the CD and listen to demo tracks here.

Holland Chorale Auditioning for adults and children

Holland Chorale holding auditions

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The Holland Sentinel

Posted May 21, 2008 @ 05:00 PM

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Holland, MI —

The Holland Chorale extends an opportunity for anyone who can sing and read music to audition for positions in the Chorale for its 49th performance season commencing in September.
The Chorale will hold auditions for all voicing (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) on the evenings of Tuesday and Thursday, June 3 and 5. Experienced singers are invited to call for an appointment. The approximately 15-minute audition will consist of the audition committee listening to the candidate’s vocal quality, vocal range, ability to blend with other singers and sight-singing abilities. Call for an audition appointment.
In addition, special auditions for Chorale Kids will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, June 2. Unlike the audition for adults, this is a group audition. Call to register your child.
All auditions will be conducted at the Holland Area Arts Council, 150 E. Eighth St. For either adults or kids, call Jayne Phillips at (616) 494-0256 ext. 814 or e-mail Jayne@hollandchorale.org.

Opera GR announces Chorus and Comprimario Auditions

Who:      Anyone who is interested
What:     Auditions for Opera Chorus and Comprimari Roles
When:    Friday, May 30th 4 PM to 7 PM
Saturday, May 31st 12 noon to 5 PM
Where:   Central Reformed Church
10 College Ave. NE
in Downtown Grand Rapids
NE corner of College and Fulton
Use the side door (the back door is
under construction)
How:
•    Call 616-451-2741ext. 10 or 17 to schedule an appointment
•    Bring sheet music
•    An accompanist will be provided
•    A song in a foreign language is preferred, but not necessary.
•    Please, no pre-recorded accompaniment
•    For more information or to schedule an appointment please Call Opera Grand Rapids at 616-451-2741 ext. 17 or ext. 10.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about opera on a first-hand basis is encouraged to audition for our opera chorus.  You will be a vital part of all Opera Grand Rapids productions.  Our 2008-2009 season will include Puccini’s dramatic masterpiece Tosca sung in Italian, Donizetti’s timeless comedy The Elixir of Love sung in Italian and Gounod’s dark and powerful Faust sung in French.  Opera Chorus members receive a small stipend of $145 per production for new members, plus complimentary tickets to the opera.  Music and study guides will be provided by Opera Grand Rapids.

Kudos!!

Several of my students have been out auditioning and doing great things. Here is a list of some of their accomplishments. If I missed yours, please send me an email so I can add it to the great things that you are doing.

Amy Gould

Congratulations to:

Nola Tolsma – For winning a solo part in her schools choir concert.

Sarah Schuilling – For auditioning and getting into concert choir at Zeeland High School next year.

Keep yourself singing over the summer

Many students leave town for vacations and other summer activities and have to stop taking lessons until the fall. Here are a few things you can do to keep your voice in shape while you are gone and maybe even pick up a few new skills along the way

Road Trip – Games to play in the car

Road trips are often very exciting to begin with, but can quickly become boring without something to do to pass the time. Here are a few music games that you can play in the car (or anywhere else for that matter.)

Audie

Audie is a great game to play with children ages 3-4 (or older). It is supposed to help indicate a childs musical ability, but it is a lot of fun to play as well. Each game kit includes: a cassette with two games-one for melody, the other for rhythm, a guide for parents containing suggestions for teaching music to young children (no music ability necessary), instructions, and other important information, profile cards for charting each child’s musical growth, and two pads of game sheets.

Folk Songs, Singing Games, and Play Parties for Kids of All Ages

This is a series of four different CDs with songs and instructions for games to play. Some of the games might be better for when you arrive at your destination, but the songs are fun to sing in the car.

Trout Fishing in America

This is a great group that creates music for children. The lyrics are fun (even for adults) and will have you grinning and singing along to hits like “My Best Day” and “My Hair Had a Party Last Night.”

Crazy 8ths and Totally Treble

Crazy 8ths creatively combines music education with popular card games – played by reading notes rather than numbers. Beginners can easily master “Go Fish” and “Old Maid”, while more advanced players will love the fast and furious fun of “PIG” and “Crazy 8ths”. Anyone can join in by using the cheat sheet card. The deck contains 56 musical notation cards covering a two-octave range from bass C to treble C, with rests, triplets, and repeats thrown in. A 28-page book provides rules for 10 popular card games.

Totally Treble adds a musical twist to familiar card games, which are played by reading notes rather than numbers. Beginners can master Go Fish, Old Maid and Memory, while older students will love Spoons, I Doubt It and Crazy 8ths. The card game contains 84 musical cards in 3 suits, spanning 3 octaves of treble clef notes (starting at low E), rests, triplets, repeats, and key signatures. Also included is a 32-page booklet of rules describing 11 popular card games at varying ability levels.

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Thinking about a career in music?

If you are thinking about a career in music and would like more information about what careers are available, look no further. The MENC (Music Educators National Conference) has put together a very informative website with lots of information for people looking at having a career in music. It is called Careers in Music. It has 16 different job categories listed along with information about salary, job requirements, training and more. For a more in depth look at music careers, check out Exploring Careers in Music published by MENC.

Summer Singing Lessons and Classes are here!

Private Singing Lessons
Now enrolling for private singing lessons for the summer. Summer is a great time to take singing lessons. Use your summer vacation to get ready fall choir auditions, school musical or improve your voice and increase your range so you are ready tackle anything that comes your way. You can work on songs you wouldn’t have time for during the busy school year like that cool new tune by Taylor Swift or music for church.

Session I – June 2-20 Tuition is $48.00 for 3 half hour lessons, $96.00 for 3 one hour lessons
Session II – July 14-August 1 Tuition is $48.00 for 3 half hour lessons, $96.00 for 3 one hour lessons
Session III – August 4-15 Tuition is $48.00 for 2 half hour lessons, $96.00 for 2 one hour lessons