Kelsey Loeslio MUS 667 Materials, Techniques, & Literature of Voice Book Report anny if by W. Stephen Smith Oxford University Press 2007 ISBN 978-0-19-530050-5 About the Author W. Stephen Smith, baritone - Professor of Voice at Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University. Formerly held teaching positions include Julliard, Curtis, Aspen Music Festival and School, Houston Grand Opera Studio, USC - LA, and Stony Brook University. He has taught many renowned singers, including Joyce DiDonato, Christine Brewer, and Eric Owens This book has exellent reviews from Joyce DiDonato, Christine Brewer, Richard Miller, Debra Greschner (JOS), and Robert L. Larsen, Des Moines Metro Opera and Editor of G. Schirmer Opera Anthologies Who is this book for? “All you desire to sing or improve their singing...4rom the amateur in the local church choir to the world-famous opera star." “The concepts are designed to help singers...sirip away the encumbrances that keep them from revealing their essential, ‘naked voice.’ In the process they uncover their truest, most authentic selves.” What is “nakedness” and why is it important in singing? + Nakedness does not equal shame/embarrassment - think Adam and Eve before the Fall! “Nakediness levels the playing field and connotes something essential, pure, unfettered, and authentic, Nakedness also refers to the process of stripping off our metaphorical clothes to reveal our essence - our uniqueness and individuality. This kind of honesty is especially important in the performing arts, where the audience seeks an immediate connection with the performers on stage. Although they might not understand this exchange on a conscious level, | think the audience senses when performers give an honest performance. They also sense when they don't.” - pg. 4+ Nakedness is why we go to the opera or theater! Great performers help us connect with that authentic part of ourselves. Ownership of your authentic sett is key to releasing fears and insecurities, accepting our gifts and abilities, and rediscovering the original passions that were given to us at birth, Wholistic? “Take your multifaceted nature into account - the intellectual, spiritual, psychological, emotional, ‘© Conventional medicine treats the shown symptoms, what is wrong with the patient © Holistic medicine treats the root of the symptoms, what the patient needs to do right 5 Organizati Book INTRODUCTION 4 In Pursuit of Authenticity PART I. BASIC INSTINCTS (presents the philosophies, principles, and ideas behind what he teaches) Chapter 1: A Wholistic Approach to Singing Chapter 2: On Speaking Chapter 3: On Breathing > "Ihave learned to breath for the phrase, let the texts inspire the breath, and retease the breath right before the beginning of each phrase rather than holding it. | used to take a huge breath for every phrase whether | needed it or not. | learned that | needed to trust that my breath was going to carry me through each phrase.” - Christine Brewer, soprano Part ll. THE INVENTIONS Introduction to the Inventions . (how the philosophies are distilled dow to 6 inventions) Chapter 4: The First Invention: Simply Speaking Simply (vernacular speech, speaking with projection, speaking with line, speaking with projection and ling on pitch, redefining the vowels)> ‘Like the Nike commercial, ‘Just Do It! vocal cords do not vibrate for thinking or worrying, All systems fire and go into action because we are about to express something - we are about ‘to do.” This is true whether we speak in everyday conversation, speak for the platform or sing artistically. All aspects of technique fall under the umbrella of the intention to express." - Christine Armistead, soprano Chapter 5: The Second Invention: Free-Flowing Air (the siren, the descending five-tone scale) Chapter 6: The Third Invention: A Balancing Act (the arpeggio, vowel definition) Chapter 7: The Fourth invention: Spontaneous Combustion (onset) Chapter 8: The Fifth Invention: The Wobble (think flexibility with airflow) Uses interval of fourth because it is too easy to hold anything smaller than that Singing fioratura passages (rapid pitches in scales or broken chords) Chapter 9: The Sixth Invention: Getting High {automatic transmission, mixing chest and head voice) PART Ill. WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD (how the skills gained in 6 Inventions apply to everyday life as a singer) Chapter 10: Playing the Game {vowel definition and substitution, French nasal vowels, consonants, diction, musicality, dynamics, agility and fioratura, singing staccato, dealing with wide intervals, singing in different musical styles) Chapter 11: Find Your Own Path (choosing appropriate repertoire, what makes a great audition, leaming repertoire, what to do on performance day, time/personal/inancial management) Chapter 12: La Voce is You (dealing with directors/conductors, how and when to say no, being @ good colleague) Chapter 13: Lifestyles of the Healthy Singer (diet/exercise, sickness, mental health, lifestyle habits) Chapter 14: How to Be Successful (advice from former students) Audio Samples Outline Index | |