Welcome Back!
|
 |
By Dr. Kimberly James in General Published: Thursday, 23 August 07 - 05:38 AM (GMT) Last Updated: Thursday, 23 August 07 - 06:02 AM (GMT) |
| ||
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.
Have your say on this article:
<-- Back
