ICB, the IFCM Magazine

Review of ‘A Dictionary for the Modern Singer’, by Matthew Hoch (Page 72)

Reviewed by Venanzio Valdinoci, journalist and singer

We know that voices are unique and personal. There are deep bass voices, high-pitched cutting voices and melodious mellow voices. Each of us changes the volume, intensity and rhythm of our voice to suit the context or the people we are talking to. In short, our voice expresses who we are, what our thoughts and intentions are and how we feel. So, how do you get a beautiful voice? How do you wade through the many terms during your first singing lesson: head voice, chest voice, portamento, rounded voice and so on? Acquiring a correct vocal technique, both for singing and speaking, takes time and commitment, but having the appropriate theoretical knowledge makes the learning process much easier. How do you master the art of breathing, what does 'support' mean?

Many of the answers to these questions can be found in Matthew Hoch's book, A Dictionary for the Modern Singer. It is a wide-ranging and varied text, complete with illustrations and tables that show the specific anatomy of the organs and systems involved during the phonation process to use the voice correctly. The author is an assistant professor of voice at Auburn University, where he teaches applied voice, diction and an opera workshop. He earned his BM, summa cum laude, from Ithaca College, with a triple major in vocal performance, music education and music theory.

Encouraging and reassuring at the same time, the advice contained in the section 'The Singer's Ten Steps to Wellness' curated by Karen Wicklund provides us with ideas and information to keep us in good health, not only to improve our singing, but also to achieve the correct balance between mind and body. Karen is currently teaching her SVS (singing voice specialist) certification training workshops in Chicago, Kalamazoo and Arizona.

Which repertoire best fits our voice, our age, our taste in music, the context in which we like to sing? John Nix, associate professor of voice and vocal pedagogy at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), coordinator of the Vocal Area for the 2011-2014 academic years, and founding director on the staff of the National Center for Voice and Speech in Denver, provides a clear overview of the different categories that should be considered when approaching this art form. His comments can be found in the chapter on 'Criteria for Selecting Repertoire'.

In 'Ten Tips for Making the Most of Your Time between Lessons', Dean Southern systematically addresses the stages for achieving concrete and informed results. Baritone, Dean Southern has performed in opera, oratorio and recital throughout the United States and Europe, including Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy. Success in singing, like almost any worthwhile endeavour, is dependent on individual discipline, self-sacrifice and hard work. In ‘Vocal Wisdom’, the legendary pedagogue Giovanni Battista Lamperti is quoted as saying:

Know thyself applies to the singer more than any other profession because to sing well, body, soul and mind have to be tuned together. The only things you can learn from others are to breathe slowly and deeply; to pronounce correctly and distinctly, and to listen intensely and carefully. The coordination of these three must come from yourself. Know thyself.

Translated from the Italian by Mirella Biagi, UK/Italy

Review of ‘A Dictionary for the Modern Singer’, by Matthew Hoch

By: International Federation for Choral Music

On: October 18, 2014

In: Book Review

With: 0 Comments

Reviewed by Venanzio Valdinoci, journalist and singer

We know that voices are unique and personal. There are deep bass voices, high-pitched cutting voices and melodious mellow voices. Each of us changes the volume, intensity…Read More →

Choral Music and Social Action

By: Maria Guinand

On: April 1, 2014

In: Focus

With: 0 Comments

By María Guinand

“It is clear that music should be recognized as an element of socialization, because it transmits the highest in social values – solidarity, harmony, mutual compassion – and has the ability …Read More →

Choral World Response to World-Wide Relief

2014-04-01

By: Jonathan Velasco

On: April 1, 2014

In: Focus

With: 0 Comments

By Jonathan Velasco, choral conductor, President of PCDA

The Philippines had more than their usual quota of natural disasters last year. On October 15, a powerful quake of 7.2 magnitude rocked the islands of Bohol and Cebu, killing …Read More →

Message from the IFCM President

2014-04-01

By: Michael J. Anderson

On: April 1, 2014

In: Message from the President

With: 0 Comments

5 February 2014

Dear friends,

During the past four difficult years, we have learned much about what in IFCM is stable and what isn’t. Fundamentally, there are two aspects to running IFCM: artistic and operations. The artistic side of I…Read More →

World Choral Day, Twenty-three Years Old But Younger than Ever

2014-04-01

By: Francesco Leonardi

On: April 1, 2014

In: IFCM News

With: 0 Comments

By Francesco Leonardi, IFCM Project Manager

Twenty-three years have passed since Alberto Grau launched the grand project of an international day dedicated to choral singing, to highlight not only the artistic and cultural value of s…Read More →

Selecting Presenters for a World Choral Symposium

2014-04-01

By: Anton Armstrong

On: April 1, 2014

In: IFCM News

With: 0 Comments

By Anton Armstrong, Co-Chair of the 2014 WSCM-10 Artistic Committee

When the Republic of Korea (South Korea) was selected as the site for the 2014 World Choral Symposium one of the first duties of the IFCM Executive Committ…Read More →

World Youth Choir News 02/2014

2014-04-01

By: Vladimir Opačić

On: April 1, 2014

In: IFCM News

With: 0 Comments

By Vladimir Opačić, World Youth Choir Project manager

Thank You All!

”… I’ve been in love with the World Youth Choir since 1989. Yes, since the last century! I could tell you how many wonderful people …Read More →

Choral Music, a Vehicle for Social Change in Nigeria

2014-04-01

By: Ifeyinwa (Ify) Ebosie

On: April 1, 2014

In: Focus

With: 0 Comments

By Ifeyinwa (Ify) Ebosie, President and Initiator of the Annual Festival of Nigerian Choirs (AFNC)

AFNC: Catalyst for a desirable society

The Nigerian system is by nature very complex given th…Read More →

Connecting Choral Communities: A Report on choral music at the 5th World Forum on Music

2014-04-01

By: Graeme Morton

On: April 1, 2014

In: Choral World News

With: 0 Comments

By Graeme Morton, choral conductor

Brisbane, Australia was the venue for a most interesting and exciting assembly of musicians from November 21 – 24, 2013. The occasion was the International Music Council’s 5^th World …Read More →

Stasys Šimkus International Choir Competition, Lithuania

2014-04-01

By: Vytautas Miskinis

On: April 1, 2014

In: Choral World News

With: 0 Comments

By Vytautas Miškinis, conductor, composer and President of Lithuanian Choir Union

Stasys Šimkus, the Lithuanian composer, conductor, music publicist, folklorist, teacher and mover and shaker of the Musician‘s Association is inextric…Read More →

Posts navigation

Previous 1 … 71 72 73 … 79 Next