It ain’t dying I’m talking about. It’s living.
It ain’t dying I’m talking about. It’s living.* My last several blogs have been on the heels of a death. I’m not sure why that is. I don’t really think about death that often. It’s true that I’ve been to way too many funerals lately, and it’s also true that I...
read moreI love you, Aunt Faye
Thank you for all the prayers and love for my family (especially my father) this week. I think Aunt Faye would have smiled on us today. Her children did her proud, as did her grandchildren. My Uncle Jack is, of course, heartbroken. He was devoted to her, and they...
read moreThis article is great. It is coming from a traditional vocalist's viewpoint, but it carries into any vocal situation. How to Lead Your Pianist
read moreDona eis requiem, sempiternam requiem
Remember how I was bragging a few weeks ago on my little 6th grade girls' choir? I had introduced them to a new song I wanted them to sing for their spring concert, and the next time I went back to rehearse it the sweet little stinkers had learned it cold. Memorized...
read moreLearn it Fast
I'm all about the maximum conservation of energy, and I never have enough time to teach new music. Here's the quick and dirty method I use for musical theatre. Speak through all the lyrics, making sure you are pronouncing all the words. If this is truly for musical...
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The Icing on the Cake
From time immemorial (or beyond the reach of my memory, anyway) Rexann Hulsey was the lady who made our cakes. Twice a year, when my brother and I celebrated birthdays, we had one of her delicious sculptures. I knew that not everyone had such wonderful birthday cakes....
read moreExpectations from your Musical Director
In case you ever wondered what we expect once you've been cast in a show: I expect you to warm up on the way to rehearsal. We will warm up at rehearsal most of the time, but if you've got your voice ready to go, the rehearsal warm up will go a long way toward...
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Advice From Your Accompanist
On the heels of my last blog, I’ve been meaning to write down the sort of advice that I learned from some of the best, and advice that some of you already know. As an accompanist and musical director, these are the things that make me cringe for you if you miss them...
read moreI Want Your Audition, Not Your Drama
I spent another lonnnnng day at the Holly for our summer show auditions. I say it was long, but there was not a bad audition in the bunch. As someone who sits on the other side of the stage/table, please allow me to offer advice, comfort, warnings, etc. These are some...
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