Lots of opportunities to hear your fellow students this fall, and to join in the fun yourself!
Recital of Sarah Lewontin, Whitney Neufeld-Kaiser & Janessa Cummings Penn
Sunday, October 31st
2:30 pm
Youngstown Cultural Center
Featuring works by Barab, Barber, Fauré, Rorem and more; accompanied by Chris Vincent and Jennifer Bundy. Admission is free.
*****
Music Sunday at University Unitarian Church
Sunday, October 31st
9:30 and 11:15 am
University Unitarian Church
Mozart's Missa Brevis in F (Little Credo Mass) will be performed; student Barbara Leigh is a member of of the UUC Loft Choir. Conducted by Karen P. Thomas. Admission is free.
*****
Voice Department Recital
Sunday, November 7th
4:00 pm
Music Center Recital Hall
Students of Shawna Avinger and Kristen Ramer Liang will perform works from opera, musical theatre and the classical repertoire. Featured composers: Larsen, Pergolesi, Schubert, Sondheim and more. Admission is free.
*****
Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition
Friday, December 3rd
5:00 - 8:30 pm
Westlake Center
Join our caroling team for this year's Figgy Pudding fundraiser! All proceeds go to benefit the Pike Place Senior Center and Downtown Food Band; Music Center has a fundraising goal of $1500. Rehearsals will be 11/6, 11/13, 11/19, 11/27 and 12/2; please contact me for more information about participating.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Upcoming auditions
From the Seattle Times callboard...
ACT Theatre is holding auditions on September 25 for the youth actor roles in its annual holiday production of "A Christmas Carol." Roles open to actors age 14 and under. Appointments taken from Sept. 15, no appointments taken prior to that date. To schedule an audition, email laynem@acttheatre.org or call 206-292-7660, ext 1226.
The Heavier Than Air Family Theater Company will be holding open auditions on September 21 and 23 for its upcoming Christmas production of "Annie." Needed are actors and actresses aged 16 and up. Auditions will be held in Green River Community College's Performing Arts Building from 7-9 p.m. For more information, visit www.heavierthanair.com.
And for those of you who like to ride the ferry: Ovation Musical Theatre Bainbridge will hold auditions for "The Sound of Music" on September 18-19. All parts are open. To schedule an audition, email info@ovationmtb.com or call 206-842-0472.
ACT Theatre is holding auditions on September 25 for the youth actor roles in its annual holiday production of "A Christmas Carol." Roles open to actors age 14 and under. Appointments taken from Sept. 15, no appointments taken prior to that date. To schedule an audition, email laynem@acttheatre.org or call 206-292-7660, ext 1226.
The Heavier Than Air Family Theater Company will be holding open auditions on September 21 and 23 for its upcoming Christmas production of "Annie." Needed are actors and actresses aged 16 and up. Auditions will be held in Green River Community College's Performing Arts Building from 7-9 p.m. For more information, visit www.heavierthanair.com.
And for those of you who like to ride the ferry: Ovation Musical Theatre Bainbridge will hold auditions for "The Sound of Music" on September 18-19. All parts are open. To schedule an audition, email info@ovationmtb.com or call 206-842-0472.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Singing and pregnancy - no longer a hypothetical question...
Wow, has it really been April since I last posted? I guess that makes sense, given that a couple of weeks after my last post I found out I was pregnant (feeling sick doesn't exactly motivate you to write) and a week after that I took a nasty fall down my front steps, which laid me up for a while. Through all of that, I tried to keep track of how it felt to sing during the stages of pregnancy - I've looked but have never found much clinical research about how the voice might change or feel different during such a time of transition in the body. I have found several personal accounts, so I'll add mine to the mix in hopes that it will help some other gals out there. Here are the observations I've made so far:
Week 5
No noticeable change in singing but a huge change in appetite. Sang at concerts May 7, 8 and 16 with no problems, although looking back my cords were a bit swollen. I just chalked it up to allergies.
Weeks 6-7
Fell down the front steps and bruised back ribs and part of my diaphragm, so couldn't sing for 2 1/2 weeks. Nothing is more irritating than wanting to sing and not being able to. Also, nothing is scarier than finding out you're pregnant and then falling down the stairs a week later! Swore off Dansko clogs (the culprit, along with my own clumsiness) and any kind of unstable heels for the rest of the pregnancy.
Weeks 8-10
Easily the worst three weeks singing-wise and in general. Felt totally junky all the time. I was out of commission the two weeks before so getting my breath support back was a slog. Adding to the annoyance was the inconsistency in my voice - one day it would feel great and the next you would think I'd never sung a note in my life. My voice would feel raspy and weak, and unusually thin in the upper register. General fatigue meant that my support was pretty lazy, which didn't help matters. A very frustrating few weeks.
Week 11-12
Much the same as the previous few weeks only slightly less problematic. In week 12 morning sickness came back with a vengeance making it hard to do anything - singing became an afterthought. Oh, and did I mention the morning acid reflux? Pregnancy is so glamorous. Toward the end of week 12 I was able to start singing again with more regularity, though my voice was much more cooperative with Puccini than Mozart. In general vocal agility is becoming much trickier. Thickening of the cords perhaps? There's some research to support my theory, but I'd like to read a more detailed investigation. One other issue that may be affecting things is that I've experienced some edema in my feet - if I'm having swelling there I can imagine other tissues in my body are swelling too...like the vocal cords. BOO.
Week 13
Was running a music camp for kids all week so didn't do much singing of my own, but singing with the kids was fun and I started to feel like I was getting my voice back. Breathlessness is a general issue as the baby starts to grow and crowd out other organs, but other than that things felt pretty good.
Week 14
Am beginning to sing more of my arias and have real, productive practice sessions again. Hooray! We'll sing how long it lasts, but I'll enjoy it while it does.
Stay tuned for more news from the front lines...
Week 5
No noticeable change in singing but a huge change in appetite. Sang at concerts May 7, 8 and 16 with no problems, although looking back my cords were a bit swollen. I just chalked it up to allergies.
Weeks 6-7
Fell down the front steps and bruised back ribs and part of my diaphragm, so couldn't sing for 2 1/2 weeks. Nothing is more irritating than wanting to sing and not being able to. Also, nothing is scarier than finding out you're pregnant and then falling down the stairs a week later! Swore off Dansko clogs (the culprit, along with my own clumsiness) and any kind of unstable heels for the rest of the pregnancy.
Weeks 8-10
Easily the worst three weeks singing-wise and in general. Felt totally junky all the time. I was out of commission the two weeks before so getting my breath support back was a slog. Adding to the annoyance was the inconsistency in my voice - one day it would feel great and the next you would think I'd never sung a note in my life. My voice would feel raspy and weak, and unusually thin in the upper register. General fatigue meant that my support was pretty lazy, which didn't help matters. A very frustrating few weeks.
Week 11-12
Much the same as the previous few weeks only slightly less problematic. In week 12 morning sickness came back with a vengeance making it hard to do anything - singing became an afterthought. Oh, and did I mention the morning acid reflux? Pregnancy is so glamorous. Toward the end of week 12 I was able to start singing again with more regularity, though my voice was much more cooperative with Puccini than Mozart. In general vocal agility is becoming much trickier. Thickening of the cords perhaps? There's some research to support my theory, but I'd like to read a more detailed investigation. One other issue that may be affecting things is that I've experienced some edema in my feet - if I'm having swelling there I can imagine other tissues in my body are swelling too...like the vocal cords. BOO.
Week 13
Was running a music camp for kids all week so didn't do much singing of my own, but singing with the kids was fun and I started to feel like I was getting my voice back. Breathlessness is a general issue as the baby starts to grow and crowd out other organs, but other than that things felt pretty good.
Week 14
Am beginning to sing more of my arias and have real, productive practice sessions again. Hooray! We'll sing how long it lasts, but I'll enjoy it while it does.
Stay tuned for more news from the front lines...
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Upcoming performances
Lots of opportunities to hear contemporary and choral music in the first weeks of May!
May Day! May Day!
A New Music Marathon
Saturday, May 1st
1 pm - 1 am
Town Hall
From the Town Hall website:
May Day! May Day! is a 12-hour performer-driven celebration of contemporary music featuring 30 sets by local ensembles and soloists. Performers, and styles, range from Seattle Chamber Players, ODEONQUARTET, Gamelan Pacifica, and The Esoterics to elder statesmen like Stuart Dempster and William O. Smith, and earlier career artists like Byron Au Yong and Garrett Fisher. Music by Seattle composers is encouraged, as are three musically inspirational “themes”: politics, pagan rituals, and calls for help in times of distress. Presented by Town Hall in association with Nonsequitur.
Shawna Avinger and I will be singing with the Fisher Ensemble at 9:36 pm (excerpts from At The Hawk's Well) and The Esoterics at 10:36 pm (the first movement of Eric Banks' choral opera HAPTADAMA). Admission is only 5 bucks for the whole day!
*****
Loft Choir
Handel Creation
Sunday, May 2, 9:30 and 11:15 am
University Unitarian Church
From the UUC website:
MUSIC SUNDAY
The Loft Choir, soloists and orchestra combine forces to present the first part of Haydn’s “The Creation” at both services. (arrive early for a good seat!)
Student Barbara Leigh is a member of this choir, directed by Seattle Pro Musica's Karen Thomas. I heard them sing on Christmas Eve and they're fantastic!
*****
The Esoterics present
HAPTADAMA
Friday, May 7th and Saturday, May 8th
8:00 pm
Olympic Sculpture Park Pavilion
From The Esoterics' website:
Over the course of several months between 2006 and 2008, The Esoterics' Founding Director traveled to Mumbai, India to study the chants and myths of Zoroastrianism, the world's first monotheism. Banks then wove these ancient legends and melodies into a surround-sound a cappella opera called The seven creations. Banks’ opera is based on the Gathas, the original songs of Zarathushtra and arguably the oldest songs in recorded human history, as well as the Bundahishn, the Persian creation story, in which the struggle between good and evil results in the creation of the seven elements we know as the sky, water, earth, plants, animals, humans, and fire. For this composition, performance, and recording of this seven-movement concert-length work, Banks and The Esoterics were honored with an Access to Artistic Excellence grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind concert at Seattle Art Museum’s PACCAR Pavilion at the Olympic Sculpture Park.
May Day! May Day!
A New Music Marathon
Saturday, May 1st
1 pm - 1 am
Town Hall
From the Town Hall website:
May Day! May Day! is a 12-hour performer-driven celebration of contemporary music featuring 30 sets by local ensembles and soloists. Performers, and styles, range from Seattle Chamber Players, ODEONQUARTET, Gamelan Pacifica, and The Esoterics to elder statesmen like Stuart Dempster and William O. Smith, and earlier career artists like Byron Au Yong and Garrett Fisher. Music by Seattle composers is encouraged, as are three musically inspirational “themes”: politics, pagan rituals, and calls for help in times of distress. Presented by Town Hall in association with Nonsequitur.
Shawna Avinger and I will be singing with the Fisher Ensemble at 9:36 pm (excerpts from At The Hawk's Well) and The Esoterics at 10:36 pm (the first movement of Eric Banks' choral opera HAPTADAMA). Admission is only 5 bucks for the whole day!
*****
Loft Choir
Handel Creation
Sunday, May 2, 9:30 and 11:15 am
University Unitarian Church
From the UUC website:
MUSIC SUNDAY
The Loft Choir, soloists and orchestra combine forces to present the first part of Haydn’s “The Creation” at both services. (arrive early for a good seat!)
Student Barbara Leigh is a member of this choir, directed by Seattle Pro Musica's Karen Thomas. I heard them sing on Christmas Eve and they're fantastic!
*****
The Esoterics present
HAPTADAMA
Friday, May 7th and Saturday, May 8th
8:00 pm
Olympic Sculpture Park Pavilion
From The Esoterics' website:
Over the course of several months between 2006 and 2008, The Esoterics' Founding Director traveled to Mumbai, India to study the chants and myths of Zoroastrianism, the world's first monotheism. Banks then wove these ancient legends and melodies into a surround-sound a cappella opera called The seven creations. Banks’ opera is based on the Gathas, the original songs of Zarathushtra and arguably the oldest songs in recorded human history, as well as the Bundahishn, the Persian creation story, in which the struggle between good and evil results in the creation of the seven elements we know as the sky, water, earth, plants, animals, humans, and fire. For this composition, performance, and recording of this seven-movement concert-length work, Banks and The Esoterics were honored with an Access to Artistic Excellence grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind concert at Seattle Art Museum’s PACCAR Pavilion at the Olympic Sculpture Park.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Recital wrap-up
Congratulations to everyone who participated in Saturday's voice department recital! I was impressed by the level of performance and stage presence, especially from those of you who have sung on previous recitals; it's so rewarding to watch your growth as singers and performers. I also know how hard you all worked to polish your pieces and it paid off Saturday night.
For those of you thinking of singing on a recital, I encourage you to talk to your fellow students about their experience. Yes, it can be scary, but it's also exhilarating, cathartic, satisfying...and did I mention FUN? A student recital is one of the best places to start because the audience is full of your fellow students who will support and encourage you. You couldn't ask for a better group to sing for.
The best way to become a better performer/singer/musician is to make music on a regular basis outside of your lesson. Join ensemble class or a choir, take part in coachings and master classes, sing on a recital - not only will you improve your performance and musicianship skills, but you'll be part of a community.
For those of you thinking of singing on a recital, I encourage you to talk to your fellow students about their experience. Yes, it can be scary, but it's also exhilarating, cathartic, satisfying...and did I mention FUN? A student recital is one of the best places to start because the audience is full of your fellow students who will support and encourage you. You couldn't ask for a better group to sing for.
The best way to become a better performer/singer/musician is to make music on a regular basis outside of your lesson. Join ensemble class or a choir, take part in coachings and master classes, sing on a recital - not only will you improve your performance and musicianship skills, but you'll be part of a community.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
March Wrap-up
Just back from The Fisher Ensemble's tour of New York and Boston, and the reviews are up! You can read them here and here.
Upcoming dates
Vocal coaching sessions - if you take a 30 or 45 minute lesson, you are entitled to two 30-minute coaching sessions. If you take a 60-minute lesson, you are entitled to two 45-minute coaching sessions. The coaching session replaces your lesson for that week.
These are booked on a first-come/first-served basis so get your name on the list! Sign-up sheets are outside my door. The next round will be in May.
Coaching dates:
4/10/10, 12:30pm - 4:30pm
4/17/10, 11:00am - 4:30pm
4/19/10, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Voice Department Recital
4/24/10, 7:30 pm (6:30 call for participants)
Music Center Recital Hall, free admission
This is shaping up to be a lovely recital, lots of French and German art songs as well as some 20th century works. Please mark your calendar and come out to support your fellow students; you'll get to hear new music and will likely learn a thing or two just by listening!
Attendance Policy Reminder
This is your friendly spring reminder that 48 hours notice is required for ALL absences if you don't want to get charged for the lesson. In case of illness or emergency, call the school as soon as you know you will miss your lesson; if it's less than 48 hours before your lesson you will be charged. Make-up lessons will be scheduled on a case-by-case basis.
Upcoming dates
Vocal coaching sessions - if you take a 30 or 45 minute lesson, you are entitled to two 30-minute coaching sessions. If you take a 60-minute lesson, you are entitled to two 45-minute coaching sessions. The coaching session replaces your lesson for that week.
These are booked on a first-come/first-served basis so get your name on the list! Sign-up sheets are outside my door. The next round will be in May.
Coaching dates:
4/10/10, 12:30pm - 4:30pm
4/17/10, 11:00am - 4:30pm
4/19/10, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Voice Department Recital
4/24/10, 7:30 pm (6:30 call for participants)
Music Center Recital Hall, free admission
This is shaping up to be a lovely recital, lots of French and German art songs as well as some 20th century works. Please mark your calendar and come out to support your fellow students; you'll get to hear new music and will likely learn a thing or two just by listening!
Attendance Policy Reminder
This is your friendly spring reminder that 48 hours notice is required for ALL absences if you don't want to get charged for the lesson. In case of illness or emergency, call the school as soon as you know you will miss your lesson; if it's less than 48 hours before your lesson you will be charged. Make-up lessons will be scheduled on a case-by-case basis.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Olympic inspiration
Over and over last night in the women's figure skating competition, the announcers repeated this refrain: "This score represents her personal best." Kim Yu-Na of course, with her record breaking score, but also Joannie Rochette (performing after a huge personal trauma) and the two Americans Rachel Flatt and Mirai Nagasu. Flatt and Nagasu didn't medal but they were as pleased as if they had. Why? Because they performed their personal best. They put in the long hours of practice, honed their skills, and under the intense pressure of an Olympic audience they performed to the best of their capabilities. That's just as admirable as winning a medal, and for those of us who will never be Olympic athletes it's a great goal to strive for.
Are you performing your personal best? Are you putting in the practice hours to get better? Are you spending time where it's needed so that you can sing to the best of your ability? Are you asking questions to find solutions to your vocal difficulties? Are you seeking out new material that challenges you and gives you room to grow as a singer? Take ownership of your voice and your progress. Aim each day to say, I performed my personal best.
Are you performing your personal best? Are you putting in the practice hours to get better? Are you spending time where it's needed so that you can sing to the best of your ability? Are you asking questions to find solutions to your vocal difficulties? Are you seeking out new material that challenges you and gives you room to grow as a singer? Take ownership of your voice and your progress. Aim each day to say, I performed my personal best.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
On staying motivated
In singing as in most other crafts, staying motivated is often the biggest single hurdle to achieving our goals. Whether it's trying to unlearn a bad habit, develop new muscle memory, remember the words to a new song or even just sing that one stupid measure correctly, there often comes a point when we feel like giving up.
In those moments the best thing to do is often to simply step away for a bit and come back to it later. But what happens when you're going through a particularly frustrating phase, when you feel like you've hit a plateau and the next level is nowhere in sight, when you're wondering what's the point? It can be hard to feel motivated to practice when it doesn't feel like you're getting anywhere.
I wish I could tell you that there's one easy answer, but we all know that doesn't exist. Instead, here are a few of my favorite ways to troubleshoot those annoying measures, get motivated to practice, move through the difficult moments in singing and get back to having fun.
*This list is by no means extensive and may not address your individual needs. Consult a voice teacher for your best results.
Troubleshooting - general guidelines
Support
Having trouble with a long phrase? Take it back to the breath. Sing through your pieces on a lip trill or tongue trill; if you have trouble with the trill, try a simple voiced consonant like a super loose "v", making sure to allow the air to gently move through. Remember: Air before sound.
Sing silently
Trying to nail down a specific passage? Don't kill your voice singing it over and over again. Sing it silently - read through the music, envisioning the best, healthiest way that you will sing it, and taking care to be precise with the rhythm. You'll be amazed at the amount of progress you can make on a song without having sung a note out loud.
Talk it out
Speak the words to your songs as if they were poetry or dialogue. You'll get a sense of how to sing it when you really feel the emotion and impact of the words. Alternate this with speaking the words in rhythm - it's much easier to learn tricky syncopations, language, etc. when you take the pitch component out. Put the notes back in once you've got the rhythm down.
Mix it up
There's a time for focusing intently on one song or a few difficult notes, but it's not usually when you're feeling frustrated. Take a break from the hard stuff and sing something silly. Sing an aria and then a musical theater number. Sing some Christmas carols or a cheesy pop song. Switch between trills and vowels, or your favorite warm-up and that pain-in-the-butt measure.
Take a breather
There's no shame in taking a break for a few minutes. Step away from the keyboard, make a cup of tea and go back later.
Getting motivated
See a show
Hearing a new singer or going to see a favorite band can often be just the motivation you need. Watching others having so much fun onstage reminds us why we work so hard - so that we can have that kind of fun too. And with cover charges usually $15 or under it's a pretty cheap way to get inspired.
Sing with others
Join a choir. Take part in ensemble class. Sing karaoke with your friends. Sharing the experience of singing brings us closer together and is just plain fun. And on the learning side of things, you'll improve your ear for harmony and be exposed to music you might not otherwise hear.
Read a book
There are loads of great books detailing the trials and tribulations (and techniques) that singers go through. Some of my favorites: A Soprano on Her Head, The Inner Voice: The Making of a Singer, Great Singers on Great Singing. This is a tiny, tiny selection of what's out there, so if you look you're certain to find a book that resonates with you.
Having fun
Acknowledge your work
It takes time to develop muscle memory and to train your body to work as efficiently as possible. Even when things aren't going as easily as you'd like, it's important to remember that you're putting in the time and that it will pay off, probably sooner than you think.
Enjoy every minute
Becoming a successful singer is as much about process as it is about product. If you only narrowly focus on your shortcomings, you wind up missing so much else. What else are you learning? Moving through the hard stuff teaches us patience, self-forgiveness and acceptance of ourselves and our voices. If you can remember to enjoy those lessons as much as the specific vocal goals you have, I guarantee you'll enjoy singing a lot more.
In those moments the best thing to do is often to simply step away for a bit and come back to it later. But what happens when you're going through a particularly frustrating phase, when you feel like you've hit a plateau and the next level is nowhere in sight, when you're wondering what's the point? It can be hard to feel motivated to practice when it doesn't feel like you're getting anywhere.
I wish I could tell you that there's one easy answer, but we all know that doesn't exist. Instead, here are a few of my favorite ways to troubleshoot those annoying measures, get motivated to practice, move through the difficult moments in singing and get back to having fun.
*This list is by no means extensive and may not address your individual needs. Consult a voice teacher for your best results.
Troubleshooting - general guidelines
Support
Having trouble with a long phrase? Take it back to the breath. Sing through your pieces on a lip trill or tongue trill; if you have trouble with the trill, try a simple voiced consonant like a super loose "v", making sure to allow the air to gently move through. Remember: Air before sound.
Sing silently
Trying to nail down a specific passage? Don't kill your voice singing it over and over again. Sing it silently - read through the music, envisioning the best, healthiest way that you will sing it, and taking care to be precise with the rhythm. You'll be amazed at the amount of progress you can make on a song without having sung a note out loud.
Talk it out
Speak the words to your songs as if they were poetry or dialogue. You'll get a sense of how to sing it when you really feel the emotion and impact of the words. Alternate this with speaking the words in rhythm - it's much easier to learn tricky syncopations, language, etc. when you take the pitch component out. Put the notes back in once you've got the rhythm down.
Mix it up
There's a time for focusing intently on one song or a few difficult notes, but it's not usually when you're feeling frustrated. Take a break from the hard stuff and sing something silly. Sing an aria and then a musical theater number. Sing some Christmas carols or a cheesy pop song. Switch between trills and vowels, or your favorite warm-up and that pain-in-the-butt measure.
Take a breather
There's no shame in taking a break for a few minutes. Step away from the keyboard, make a cup of tea and go back later.
Getting motivated
See a show
Hearing a new singer or going to see a favorite band can often be just the motivation you need. Watching others having so much fun onstage reminds us why we work so hard - so that we can have that kind of fun too. And with cover charges usually $15 or under it's a pretty cheap way to get inspired.
Sing with others
Join a choir. Take part in ensemble class. Sing karaoke with your friends. Sharing the experience of singing brings us closer together and is just plain fun. And on the learning side of things, you'll improve your ear for harmony and be exposed to music you might not otherwise hear.
Read a book
There are loads of great books detailing the trials and tribulations (and techniques) that singers go through. Some of my favorites: A Soprano on Her Head, The Inner Voice: The Making of a Singer, Great Singers on Great Singing. This is a tiny, tiny selection of what's out there, so if you look you're certain to find a book that resonates with you.
Having fun
Acknowledge your work
It takes time to develop muscle memory and to train your body to work as efficiently as possible. Even when things aren't going as easily as you'd like, it's important to remember that you're putting in the time and that it will pay off, probably sooner than you think.
Enjoy every minute
Becoming a successful singer is as much about process as it is about product. If you only narrowly focus on your shortcomings, you wind up missing so much else. What else are you learning? Moving through the hard stuff teaches us patience, self-forgiveness and acceptance of ourselves and our voices. If you can remember to enjoy those lessons as much as the specific vocal goals you have, I guarantee you'll enjoy singing a lot more.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
The Voice Box Recommends - February 11 - 14
Lots of local art in action this week. Seattle company Backwards Ensemble is bringing in Brian Copeland for a 4-day run of his popular one-man show; experimental music group The Fisher Ensemble (of which I am a member) performs excerpts from Garrett's new opera; and musicians from all over town gather to raise money for victims of the Haiti earthquake.
*****
NOT A GENUINE BLACK MAN
Theatre Off Jackson
February 11 - 14, 8 pm
$20 - 50
Valentine's Day special - 2 tickets for $35
From Backwards Ensemble Theater Company:
Fisher Ensemble Artwalk Benefit
Cafe Metropolitain
Thursday, February 11, 7:30 pm
Suggested donation of $5-15
From The Fisher Ensemble:
Seattle Sings for Haiti
Brahms Requiem
Friday, Feb 13, 7:30 PM
St. Mark's Cathedral
$10 suggested donation
From Seattle Sings For Haiti:
*****
NOT A GENUINE BLACK MAN
Theatre Off Jackson
February 11 - 14, 8 pm
$20 - 50
Valentine's Day special - 2 tickets for $35
From Backwards Ensemble Theater Company:
The longest running solo play in San Francisco Theatrical History comes to Seattle for a very special limited engagement!*****
Brian Copeland's first solo show, NOT A GENUINE BLACK MAN, reveals a little-known chapter of Bay Area history. In 1971, San Leandro was named one of the most racist suburbs in America. Congressional hearings were held. The next year, the then eight-year-old Brian Copeland and his African-American family moved to San Leandro. In a monologue that's both funny and poignant, Brian explores how surroundings make us who we are.
Fisher Ensemble Artwalk Benefit
Cafe Metropolitain
Thursday, February 11, 7:30 pm
Suggested donation of $5-15
From The Fisher Ensemble:
Come join the Fisher Ensemble in a celebration of new art & performance!*****
In February we'll be performing our new piece, At the Hawk's Well in Seattle, and then in Boston and New York in March. Bring a friend, stop by for a drink and help us get there! Suggested donation: $5-15.
More info about the show: http://www.fisherensemble.org/atthehawkswell.html
The benefit will be in conjunction with the Capitol Hill's Artwalk; we have invited Seattle artist Garima Naredi to introduce us to some of her new work which will be on display.
http://www.garimanaredi.com/
Performing:
The Fisher Ensemble (excerpts of our new piece)
The Endeavors (http://www.theendeavors.com/)
Kathryn Hightower & Steel Grace Dance
Vanessa deWolf
Ines Andrade and Marchette DuBois
Rosalyn DeRoos
Amy Schrader
We hope to see you there!
Seattle Sings for Haiti
Brahms Requiem
Friday, Feb 13, 7:30 PM
St. Mark's Cathedral
$10 suggested donation
From Seattle Sings For Haiti:
SEATTLE SINGS FOR HAITI
Combined Choirs of Seattle, members of Orchestra Seatte and NW Mahler Orchestra to perform at St. Marks Cathedral in Haiti Benefit Event
On February 13, 2010, at 7:30 pm, the city of Seattle will sing for Haiti.
The Northwest Mahler Festival, in collaboration with Orchestra Seattle and the Seattle Musicians' Haiti Benefit Project, will host a benefit concert in which Seattle's own George Shangrow will conduct Johannes Brahms' Requiem (entitled "Ein Deutches Requiem," Opus 45) before a chorus of combined Seattle area choirs and members of Orchestra Seattle and the Northwest Mahler Festival Orchestra.
St. Mark's Cathedral, which can support an audience of over one thousand, will donate the use of their sanctuary for the event.
Representatives from the aid organization Friends of the Orphans will be in attendance to collect donations for their work in providing aid to orphaned children in Haiti. Friends of the Orphans has ongoing projects in Haiti, and suffered the loss of several staff members and volunteers who were working in Port au Prince during the Haiti earthquake.
Donations will be collected at the door and 100% of all proceeds will be donated to Friends of the Orphans.
If you are unable to attend the upcoming gala performance at St. Mark's Cathedral, but would still like to donate to Friends of the Orphans, please visit their 2010 Haiti Earthquake Relief donation page, found here. Please indicate that you heard about Friends of the Orphans through Seattle Sings for Haiti.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
What's goin' on?
Happy New Year (a couple weeks late) - here's the latest studio news:
- Winter quarter is in full swing at Music Center and our ensemble class is off to a great start. 19 fearless students are taking on scenes from Rossini's Cenerentola and Broadway hits Company and Title of Show, among others, as well as choral works like Lauridsen's lovely "Dirait-on". Everyone's been working hard to learn their music before staging starts next week. Mark your calendars for the concert on March 10th - you don't want to miss it! If you're interested in joining ensemble class next quarter, see me for more info.
- I've compiled a 20-minute vocal warm-up playlist for those of you without pianos to practice with at home. Let me know if you'd like a copy. And if you don't have a piano but would like to get one, Prosser Piano has student pianos available to rent for as little as $39.95 a month. (No, they didn't pay me to say that - I just like their stores and service.)
- Music Center is now on Facebook! Visit their page today and become a fan to keep updated on the latest news and events.
- I've added new links and a blogroll with some of my favorite and/or most helpful sites. If you have a favorite singing or music-related blog that I missed, send me the URL and I'll consider adding it to the list.
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