To: vocalist
Subject: Re: CLASS: How old is too old for a beginner?
Date sent: Sat, 04 Dec 1999 13:46:49 GMT
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Hi Jan
You wrote is it too old?
I sang in choirs etc for approx. 20 years before starting individual singi=
ng
lessons about 1 year ago. I am now a 'young' 50 yrs of age, and still have=

dreams to sing at La Scala Milan. However I do realise that to make it
professionally these days, you have to be young, slim, photogenic, a
wonderful singer as well as a dancer and actor. Since I cant dance or act,=
I
am left with the prospect of concert performances or recitals.
>From your writing, you appear to be very well balanced and seem to have
thought through your options. Older singers have something else in common,=

and that is a fully mature voice, which in my case means I can now sing
dramatic operatic parts, which a 20 year old could'nt touch. I can also
bring meaning to the words of songs, which years of 'life's experiences'
have developed. (At School I didn't understand poetry at all, now I seem t=
o
be able to make some sence of it.
In short Its never too late to start, but it does take a long time to gain=

and develop a voice, but at least the process brings you into contact with=

the worlds finest music.
Keep at it, and when you're my age, you'll be glad you did.

PS Any promoters out there, who are looking to spend a fortune to bring a
'young' tenor onto the recital stage? please e-mail me. :>)
J.Lovegrove
Tenor
Maidstone Kent
julianlovegrove-at-hotmail.com

>From: Jan St=FCmke
>Reply-To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
>To: "VOCALIST" <vocalist>
>Subject: CLASS: How old is too old for a beginner?
>Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 13:14:52 +0100
>
>Hello 'Listers!
>There's a question that's been nagging me ever since I started taking
>classical singing lessons in January '99. In fact, I'm quite "old" (I'm 2=
9,
>turning 30 in April) and I wonder whether there are other singers who
>started out as late as I did and who have attained an interesting artisti=
c
>and technical level, and who actually work, either as a soloist or in sma=
ll
>vocal ensembles? I am told it can take ten years until my voice is
>developed
>enough. By then I'll be forty. Is this a reasonable age to make your debu=
t?
>Or will everyone go: "Oh please, get that pathetic old man out of here!
>Bring on the young singers"? Don't get me wrong: I'm not afraid to grow
>old.
>I don't care if my career gets started by the time I'm seventy, I will ju=
st
>take the time I'll need to get where I want.
>BUT:
>Old beginners who have a nice career in classical singing - has it happen=
ed
>before? If you belong to this category or if you know some uplifting
>examples, please let me know! Also, if you have some advice or ideas of h=
ow
>to work efficiently, stay focused, not waste too much time, but not get a=
ll
>hysterical and impatient, or if somebody knows schools or conservatories
>(in
>Europe - I live in Paris - or in America - I'm willing to move if
>necessary)
>who accept old men in their classes, in short, anything that could be of
>any
>use for someone who made up his mind a bit late, please testify!
>Can I get a witness?
>I'm anxious to read your reactions!
>Jan St=FCmke, aka The Rotten Baby
>

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