EVOC Wows with "Va Tosca!"
|
 |
Wednesday, 03 December 08 - 07:47 PM (GMT) By Dr. Kimberly James in General |
| ||
I played one of the East Village Opera Company's songs on MySpace for one of my students today. I love going there every once in a while to see what new sound file they have up. Anyway, my favorite one of theirs is the Flower Duet, and I had Nessun Dorma as a ringtone for a while. I'm a fan of what they do. I wonder if they ever hold auditions. It would be so fun to sing opera this way!!
I decided to go to YouTube to see if EVOC's Flower Duet could be found there. Bingo! But I was really intrigued by this video of Scarpia's big aria from Tosca!
What do you think? What makes this successful in your opinion? Is it a valid way to share the grand opera tradition with non-traditional audiences??
Professional Development Class in the Works
|
|
|
Sunday, 19 October 08 - 05:51 PM (GMT) By Dr. Kimberly James in General |
| ||
Creighton & I have been giving a lot of thought to this lately, but we want to be sure that University of Montana voice majors are ready for auditions - local opportunities, competitions like Vocal Arts and Concerto Aria, graduate school auditions, young artist programs, comprimario and chorus auditions for area opera companies.
I expect that he and I will start blogging more regularly about professional readiness, but here are a few areas that we should address very soon:
- materials - you all should have headshots and resumes ready
- repertoire - all senior performance majors and graduate performance majors should have at least 3 arias (if not five) that are ready at all times
- appropriate dress
- your audition begins the moment you enter the room
- "nuts and bolts" preparation - text, subtext, notes, music
- preparing your audition folder for your pianist
- dramatic preparation
- stylistic preparation
- how to find auditions that are appropriate for you now
Breath Is A Starry Night
|
|
|
Wednesday, 10 September 08 - 07:59 PM (GMT) By Dr. Kimberly James in General |
| ||
I was talking with a student today about breath. More specifically, it is breath "legato" that leads to vowel legato that results in a legato sound even when consonants are incorporated.
I often talk about breath being a "river." Some of you are directed to "stay in the middle of the river." Some of you need to be thinking about "fish in the river." Some of you are told to "sing like a glassy pond." Sound familiar? If not, feel free to ask me about it (leave me a comment below or ask in your lesson).
Today, I got the sense that my student needed to focus on one breath "pulse" per phrase. Within the breath pulse, the breath may "slow down" or "speed up," but you should have a sense of continuous breath feeding the entire phrase until you take a breath. Then there's the pickle of a phrase like "Finche non splende in ciel..." in "Deh vieni non tardar" (Figaro). Though the breath continuously feeds the voice, the phrase is billowy, circular, "up and over."
Like this . . .
Beautiful!!
Education Majors - want to earn $125K?
|
|
|
Saturday, 08 March 08 - 03:35 PM (GMT) By Dr. Kimberly James in General |
| ||
According to this New York Times article, a charter school in New York plans to offer $125,000 salaries to its teachers. (Keep in mind that my sister-in-law is making 6 figures as an administrative assistant and that NYC has a crazy high cost of living.)
Some of the issues an article like this raises in my mind include:
- the concept of charter schools - what do you know about them? do you know about them? do you know which political party usually supports charter school legislation? does the concept resonate with your teaching philosophy?
- No Child Left Behind
- "To make ends meet, the school, which will use only public money and charter school grants for all but its building, will scrimp elsewhere." Hmm . . . scrimp where?
- The teachers will work longer hours and more of the year as well as assume administrative roles
- They plan to only maintain two social workers on staff, yet their target demographic includes "underperformers"
Check out their website.
There are other locations where you can make decent money in secondary education. My sister-in-law (with only a bachelor's degree and 2-3 more years teaching experience than me) made MORE money than I do as a University professor teaching elementary school in The Woodlands, TX.
But of course, the hope is that our Montana BMEs will want to stay in Montana! 
Make It Work!
|
|
|
Wednesday, 05 March 08 - 07:50 PM (GMT) By Dr. Kimberly James in General |
| ||
At the beginning of the semester we were visited by Dr. Chris Schoen who discussed aspects of performance psychology. ROUTINE is a big part of psychologically-successful performances, and how do you establish routines? By PRACTICING!
I want you to watch this series of videos. Strange that they're all drummers, eh? I suppose it is because it is pretty easy to see the commitment each of these drummers has to cultivating his skill on the instrument. It is also easy to see the huge leaps and skills from age 6 to ??? (I'm not going to guess Neil's age, but he's older than I.)
Here's a video of Neil Peart playing a huge set of drums in "Tom Sawyer." Phew, it makes me dizzy!
Here's a video of a 6 year old performing "Tom Sawyer." THIS IS WHERE IT BEGINS!
Here's a video of a teenager working on the same piece. Notice the level of improvement and how important muscular coordination (naturally lacking in a 6-yr-old) is to skill development.
What do you observe? How might you apply this to your routine?
Missoula's Performing Arts Center is still on the table!
|
|
|
Tuesday, 20 November 07 - 05:51 PM (GMT) By Dr. Kimberly James in General |
| ||
Local officials are still calling the Missoula Performing Arts Center a "long shot", but Missoulians remain hopeful that the MPAC will become a reality. Arts enriches our lives, calms our spirits, and enhances mental accuity. Committing to the arts demonstrates a certain cultural affluence that should be expected in a community like Missoula!
I hope the public voice comes through on this one. We desperately need a performing arts center in Missoula. The University Theater is not an optimal venue for many of the types of performances Missoulians enjoy - opera, orchestra, and large state and regional music events (such as All State choir and ensemble performances).
Read this article from NewWest to find out where things currently stand.
Divas discuss "Voce di Petto"
|
|
|
Friday, 16 November 07 - 05:12 PM (GMT) By Dr. Kimberly James in General |
| ||
You must watch this video! Here are a couple of reasons why:
- Stefan Zuker's voice (now that's a good subject for vocal pedagogy)
- These divas say they are against the use of "voce di petto" (chest voice)
- These divas use "voce di petto" (don't you think)
What do YOU think about the "grand Italian diva" understanding of "voce di petto"?
Welcome Back!
|
|
|
Thursday, 23 August 07 - 05:38 AM (GMT) By Dr. Kimberly James in General |
| ||
It's hard to believe that the long summer is drawing to a close. It is at least feeling like Fall now, and there is less smoke in town. I hope the throats are feeling well. 
Part of what I took away from the NATS Teaching program I did this summer is the importance of legal copies of music! Not that I didn't know that we should always be carrying around legal copies, but I've been remiss to enforce it. I hate to add to the cost of a college education, but I'm not really doing anyone any favors by not requiring you to purchase your own music.
Why do I say this?
First, you need to be building your personal music libraries. These books will serve you throughout your career as a musician, especially if you become a teacher. And most of you will teach at some point in your life! Second, copyright laws. That's right . . . obey the law. Buy your music. And don't illegally download sound files. Third, consider your music purchases as required texbooks. And I'm not talking about $150 for an algebra book. Most anthologies and other collections are quite inexpensive, and you won't be asked to buy very many. Additionally, the more people that do the right thing and buy music . . . the lower the prices can be!
Where to start
If you are a beginning University student, you may consider buying something from Boytim's extensive "First Book of . . ." series. Ask me if you're unclear as to whether you are a soprano, mezzo, tenor, baritone, or bass. The part you sang in high school choir may not represent your solo voice characteristics!
Students at all levels may enjoy a musical theater anthology such as a "Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology" or a jazz album. I love jazz!
Advanced undergraduates probably have a good idea of what they like and what they don't like. (Not that younger folks are any less opinionated.) Some are ready to begin working on arias and song cycles. Language-specific anthologies are handy for recital shopping and preparation. You may browse through my collection and ask me for suggestions. Otherwise, pay attention at concerts and recitals and pick some composers that "speak" to you. And a healthy dose of Schubert, Schumann, Faure, Debussy, Caccini, and Dowland will be terrific too.
Although I may strongly suggest (*cough* assign) repertoire to graduate students and other young professional students from time to time, I trust that these students are well-versed in the vocal repertoire that matches their tastes. A CCM student with a passion for modern "rock" musicals will have a very different music collection than a student who wants to work through all of the Schubert song cycles.
Please buy your own music. If you can't afford to purchase, then you can borrow from the UM Library. Items that our library doesn't own can be requested through ILL.
Coping with the Smoke
|
|
|
Saturday, 18 August 07 - 02:05 AM (GMT) By Dr. Kimberly James in General |
| ||
The air quality has been really poor over the last few weeks here in Western Montana. Yesterday and today have been some of the worst days I've experienced since moving to Missoula in 2005.
Obviously, it is recommended to limit your exposure to wildfire smoke. Older people and children are at an increased level of risk for health problems related to wildfire smoke inhalation. Anyone with severe allergies, athsma, or other respiratory issues should also take extreme care during this time.
Some of the symptoms you might be experiencing include:
* Shortness of breath
* Scratchy and/or sore throat
* Cough
* Congestion (nose, eyes)
* Generally irritated sinuses
Unfortunately, paper masks do not keep the particles out. Your best bet is to limit exposure. I've also heard that exercise (indoors or outside) is not recommended during poor air quality days. Check the local air quality report (currently stage 2!!!) before you exercise, and if it looks smokey outside, don't chance it.
Lost and Found: Character Schedule
|
|
|
Wednesday, 25 July 07 - 06:26 AM (GMT) By Dr. Kimberly James in General |
| ||
Lost and Found: I discovered something old (found) while I was looking for something (lost).
Character Schedule: I couldn't come up with a better term for what I'm about to show you. If you have a better idea, please let me know.
What I found: I was putting my studio notes (from when I studied at Indiana University) away, and my homemade pocket finally let loose spilling a few pieces of paper I had deemed necessary to keep. Among the papers I discovered something I'm calling a "character schedule" from one of the Little Women productions I did. The leading character of Jo is a tour de force. She is hardly off the stage, and even sips of water needed to be scheduled, especially in Mexico City at high altitude on a raked stage!
When it is useful: If you have trouble remembering the when and where of your stage business, then this is a necessary tool for you. I find that I need one in limited situations:
+ Lots of props
+ Lots of entrances/exits
+ Lots of character development that occurs between scenes
+ Large large role
+ Limited rehearsal time
Your schedule can be as detailed as necessary. It may include props lists, costume information (like "don't forget your hat before you enter in scene 2"), and especially important entrances and exits.
Here below is a portion of mine from a previous Little Women production:
Prologue
Enter (NT) from stage left (SL)
Slow cross (X) to desk to write
End of "Unbake . . ." see chests and sisters; go up [to attic]
Act I, Scene i (I,i)
Put on wig and badge
Light change - XT down SL stairs
I,ii
NT with Laurie from SL on "story" music
X [in] at end of applause following John's aria, then "Oh, this cannot be born!"
XT upstairs to Meg's trunk after "Sister Jo . . . "
X down when hear Brooke's voice
X up again to Meg's trunk after "I'm going upstairs."
Stand on "It's supposed to be you."
XT down SL stairs on final chords
I,iii
NT from SL on 3rd repetition of motive
Go to Beth
X out of doorway after "Go"
X upstairs after "I know what I'll do."
Get book; pose
And so on and so forth . . .
If you have never done one of these before, I recommend trying this out for an upcoming scenes program or show. This would be extremely helpful for scenes programs in which you have responsibilities in a few scenes or with set changes.
... More items are available in my News Archive
