Vocalisters:

Thank you for your response, Roger, to my rather hasty response to Carlo's post about calcium in the stomach.  And a special thanks for the info on Mark Baxter from his web page.

I did not write my post in clear enough language. A statement was made about the process of stomach absorption or non-absorption of calcium.  I expressed doubt about that statement and I expressed that doubt as a professor would and should by requesting documentation that would give more direct evidence to support the statement.

I should also have said more clearly that that the performance qualities of a singer should not be used as criteria to evaluate his/her knowledge as an authority on body functions, be they singing functions or, in this case, stomach functions.  In fact, the performing qualities of a singer in no way guarantee their effectiveness as a voice teacher.  Each is a learned skill that takes years of study and experience.

I closed by saying that "Performers seldom know what they are talking about,  The simply perform".  What I meant by this was that performers are best at performing.  Their performances prove their worth in this area.  Any other area or field they choose to enter should be supported by some degree of success and experience just as is required for all of us.

--
Lloyd W. Hanson, DMA
Professor of Voice, Pedagogy
School of Performing Arts
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ 86011