Now that's devotion to your craft!

Full article here.

ArtsBeat: At the Royal Opera, Rosina Wears a Cast

By Anthony Tommasini

Published: July 8, 2009

The mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, who broke her leg Saturday onstage, performed in a cast at the Royal Opera House in London on Tuesday night.

Just Breathe

NPR's "Morning Edition" program featured a terrific piece on breathing this week. Allison Aubrey interviewed a soprano and her breathing coach, an Alexander Technique instructor. One of the many interesting excerpts:

If you've ever been in your car when suddenly the person in front of you slams on the brakes, the typical reaction is to gasp — taking a quick in breath.

"It's a natural response," says Edward Bilanchone, a long-time instructor of breath and movement using the Alexander Technique. The quick inhale brings more oxygen in and sets off a flood of hormones that heighten our senses and help us respond quickly. "It helps us survive."

The trouble comes when chronic stress sets in. Under stress, a lot of interactions start to feel like near-collisions. "It becomes a part of us and we never release out of it," says Bilanchone. When we're stressed we may cheat the exhale or even hold our breath for moments. As adults, we can develop these bad habits that interfere with the natural rhythm of breath.

"Babies breathe easily, softly," says Bilanchone. Their backs and bellies move as their diaphragms move. "It's just happening." [emphasis mine]

Babies breathe naturally because they don't know to do anything else. Unfortunately as we become older we become simultaneously more aware and more disconnected from our breath. We try not to breathe too loudly, or to let our bellies expand too much in the process. Budding dancers and athletes begin to breathe higher in their bodies to avoid side cramps. Employees stuck in cubicles breathe more shallowly or even hold their breath as they sit in meetings. Particularly in these modern times, when we spend large parts of our day in front of a computer or hunched over a desk, it's easy to develop poor breathing habits which over time begin to feel "normal."

The first thing I typically do with a new student is ask them to breathe. Often, as they inhale I see their shoulders rise and their belly move up and in. Not only is this way of breathing inefficient, it also creates tension in the upper body that makes singing more difficult. Yet because it has become a habit for them to breathe this way, when they try a diaphragmatic breath for the first time it feels strange, even wrong. I tell these students to go home and lie on the floor, couch or bed and just take a few breaths: when you're lying down, it feels natural to allow the belly to move up and down as you breathe. For some students I have even conducted part of the lesson with them singing while lying on their back.

Another good way to feel the diaphragm is to bend at the waist and place your hands on either side of the spine, just above the hips. Taking in a deep breath, students can feel the diaphragm expand against their hands as they inhale and feel it relax as they exhale. With these small movements, they start to become aware of how their body naturally breathes. Combining this breath with proper abdominal support while singing, students find that they are able to produce a fuller, clearer sound with little effort.

I wish I could say that after one breathing lesson students never forget, but I'd be lying. The reality is that just as poor breathing habits develop slowly over time, developing healthy, efficient breathing takes time and practice. It also helps to have a teacher or coach there to remind you. But then again, I think we can all use that reminder. It's no coincidence that there are so many t-shirts around town printed with that simple instruction: "Breathe."

Link to the article here.
Link to animated demonstration of the diaphragm here. (found on NPR site)
Information about the Alexander Technique here.

The Voice Box recommends

A selective listing of performances for the weekend of June 26-28:

mewithoutyou with
The Dear Hunter and
Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground

Go - you'll be glad you did.

Friday, June 26th - doors at 7 pm
all ages show
Neumos

*****
Timeout to Rock!
Seattle's First Annual Children's Music Festival
featuring:

Recess Monkey
Caspar Babypants (Chris Ballew of The Presidents)
The Not It's!
Board of Education

From the poster: "A day of kid friendly music with proceeds benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Association." More info at the excellent Zooglobble blog.

Saturday June 27th - 11:00 am
The Vera Project

*****
Toy Box Trio

From Toy Box Trio's MySpace page:

The Toy-Box Trio was founded in early 2007 by classical composer Harlan Glotzer while studying at Cornish College of the Arts. During Harlan's studies, he experimented with bringing different ensembles together. The Toy-Box Trio was born out of a search for an unlikely–yet musically functional–ensemble that would cause listeners to experience through-composed music in an entirely different way. The pairing of concertina, toy piano, and violoncello is reminiscent of the classical piano trio–a staple in chamber repertoire–but able to extend into the 21st century by creating a sonic landscape evocative of dusty old music boxes and haunted carnivals. The Toy-Box Trio is committed to approaching time worn ideas and concepts from unexpected, untraditional, and rarely used angles, as well as providing a light and fanciful sonic atmosphere.

Saturday, June 27th - 8:00 pm
Trabant Coffee and Chai

*****
The Esoterics present
CONSTANTINESCU
Paul Constantinescu Centennial

From The Esoterics' website:

Virtually unknown to audiences in America, Paul Constantinescu (1909-1963) was one of Romania’s most cherished composers. A master of orchestral and vocal genres, Constantinescu was foremost among his generation of artists; as he infused the demands of Western counterpoint into the eccentricities of his native folk art, he breathed a new nationalism into Romanian classical music. Constantinescu’s fascinating blend of sacred, poetic, and folk influences shines through in each of his choral works.

For this concert, The Esoterics will be joined by Romanian conductor Gabriel Dumitrescu and pianist Kevin Johnson, to perform all of Constantinescu’s compositions for chamber choir – including his setting of the orthodox liturgy, ten folksong settings, and four madrigals.

Saturday, June 27th - 8:00 pm
Holy Rosary Catholic Church
4139 42nd Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98116

Sunday 28 Jun 3:00 pm
St Joseph's Catholic Church
732 18th Avenue E
Seattle, WA 98112

C'est si bon...

If you're out and about on Capitol Hill tonight or tomorrow, stop by Julia's for drag chanteuse Arnaldo's tribute to Eartha Kitt, C'est si bon! Arnaldo is a consummate performer with a beautiful voice, and his latest show looks fabulous.

C'est Si Bon!
a Pride cabaret tribute to the one and only Eartha Kitt

Featuring Arnaldo!
Bob Bruneau, Musical Director
Kenny Coulter, Percussion

Tuesday, June 23
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Dinner seating 6pm; Show 7:30pm
Julia's, 300 Broadway E
$15 cover + 2 drink minimum with no dinner
Reservations available, call 206.334.0513
Purchase tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com
More information about Arnaldo! at www.dragchanteuse.com

Recital wrap-up 6/20/09

Congratulations to Achil, Arlene, Donna and Taryn who were fantastic in Sunday's student recital! I received many compliments about the caliber of preparation and performance by everyone on the program, and I have to say I wholeheartedly agree. It was a real treat to sit back and watch the fruition of all your hard work, and everyone looked so comfortable onstage. Thanks again for your contribution to a lovely evening of music.

If you didn't sing this time but would like to in the future, here's your chance. Shawna and I are planning a joint studio recital for October, so start thinking about what you might like to sing. There will also be other performance and ensemble opportunities available this fall - stay tuned!

Duet recital postponed

Just a reminder that tonight's scheduled recital, Shawna and Kristen Sing Their Faces Off, has been postponed to August 8th at 7:30 pm, still at Music Center of the Northwest. We apologize for any inconvenience but promise you an amazing show in August!

Upcoming Performances

Lots of opportunities to hear your fellow students (and teachers) perform this month:

Thoroughly Modern Millie

From the Ingraham High website:

Thoroughly Modern Millie is a Tony Award-winning musical with music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Dick Scanlan, and a book by Richard Morris and Scanlan. Based on the 1967 film of the same name, Thoroughly Modern Millie tells the story of a small-town girl, Millie Dillmount, who comes to New York City to marry for money instead of love – a thoroughly modern aim in 1922, when women were just entering the workforce. Millie soon begins to take to delight in the flapper lifestyle, but problems arise when she checks into a hotel owned by the leader of a white slavery ring in China.

Featuring fellow student Celia Buckingham as Millie, not to mention impressive sets, lots of fun musical numbers and some excellent tap dancing.

Friday, June 5th - 7 pm
Saturday, June 6th - 7 pm
Sunday, June 7th - 2 pm

Ingraham High School
1819 135th Street
Seattle, WA 98133

*****
Duet Recital featuring Shawna Avinger and Kristen Ramer Liang

UPDATE: This recital has been postponed to Saturday, August 8th, same time and place.

Come see your two favorite voice teachers sing classic Mozart duets, Schumann lieder, and a slew of musical theater numbers. We'll be joined by the talented Jeremiah Oliver at the piano.

Saturday, June 13th - 7:30 pm
Music Center of the Northwest
901 N 96th Street
Seattle, WA 98103

*****
Northwest Chamber Chorus presents
The American Spirit:
Songs of Faith in the Americas

From the NWCC website:

Sacred music has arrived in America from many different directions and places, and has developed from influences just as diverse. This is not a program of music of Christianity, but a celebration of the diversity of spirituality in America in the 21st century. We’ll trace the musical paths that have led us to where we are today. South American music will include Kasar Mie la Gaji (Earth is Tired) on a sub-Saharan African text set by Venezuelan composer Alberto Grau, Salmo 150 by Brazil's Ernani Aguiar, and Hanacpachap, arranged by Oscar Escalada and believed to be the first piece of music published in the New World. North America will be well-represented as well, with Magic Songs by trail-blazing Canadian composer R. Murray Schafer, Shaker Songs arranged by Kevin Siegfried, and Deep River arranged by Swedish composer Anders Paulsson for choir and soprano saxophone and featuring saxophonist Michael Brockman.

Saturday, June 13th - 7:30 pm
Green Lake United Methodist Church
6415 1st Avenue NE
Seattle, WA 98115

Sunday, June 14th - 3:00 pm
Plymouth Congregational Church
1218 6th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101

*****
Adult Student Recital

Two voice studios combine with Vicki Boeckman's recorder students for a fantastic all-adult student recital. Featuring a set of Britten duets, a quartet, beautiful art songs and a little Broadway and jazz for good measure.

Sunday, June 21st - 6:30 pm

Music Center of the Northwest
901 N 96th Street
Seattle, WA 98103

*****
The Esoterics present
CONSTANTINESCU
Paul Constantinescu Centennial

From The Esoterics' website:

Virtually unknown to audiences in America, Paul Constantinescu (1909-1963) was one of Romania’s most cherished composers. A master of orchestral and vocal genres, Constantinescu was foremost among his generation of artists; as he infused the demands of Western counterpoint into the eccentricities of his native folk art, he breathed a new nationalism into Romanian classical music. Constantinescu’s fascinating blend of sacred, poetic, and folk influences shines through in each of his choral works.

For this concert, The Esoterics will be joined by Romanian conductor Gabriel Dumitrescu and pianist Kevin Johnson, to perform all of Constantinescu’s compositions for chamber choir – including his setting of the orthodox liturgy, ten folksong settings, and four madrigals.

Saturday, June 20th - 7:00 pm
Trinity Lutheran Church
6215 196th Street SW
Lynnwood, WA 98036

Sunday, June 21st - 3:00 pm
Christ Episcopal Church
310 N K Street
Tacoma, WA 98403

Saturday, June 27th - 8:00 pm
Holy Rosary Catholic Church
4139 42nd Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98116

Sunday 28 Jun 3:00 pm
St Joseph's Catholic Church
732 18th Avenue E
Seattle, WA 98112