To: "VOCALIST" <vocalist>
Subject: RE: Technique/Literature (was: Auditioning new students)
Date sent: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 08:35:49 -0800
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

> This is so true, Yvonne. Unfortunately, my experience has been
> that in some
> university settings, the "required" number of pieces for juries
> each semester
> becomes the driving force behind the manner in which lessons are
> taught.


I had one teacher (at university) who insisted that I bring two new songs to
my 50 minute lesson each week, with the result that I learned very little
technique (which was something I really needed to work on) and never
actually got to work much on any songs because there was little time to do
more than go through each one once. I also had to spend much time when I
should have been practising searching for repertoire because my teacher
wouldn't help (although she would criticize if I brought something in she
thought wasn't right for my voice type). And yes, I did speak with her about
how unhappy I was but she was unwilling to change her style. I was so
relieved when I was switched to another teacher the next year, who was more
concerned about doing what was right for my voice, and had no problem with
me only learning the minimum number of songs necessary for my jury.

Some of my most valuable lessons have been wholely devoted to technique.
Also, if at the beginning of a lesson I tell my teacher that I'm having
technical difficulties with part of a song I'm working on, she'll gear my
warm-ups towards dealing with that problem, and then continue the technical
work using the song. Needless to say, my voice has greatly improved under
her supervision!

Jennifer

A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine
picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not
obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human
soul. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German writer and scientist (1749-1832)