| Abstract | Objective:
Singers adapt their vocal performance depending on the environment in which they sing (classroom, auditorium, amphitheater). Unfortunately, many singers do not have the opportunity to practice in diverse environments, leading to increased performance anxiety when singing in unfamiliar spaces. Various singing environments can be simulated in virtual reality (VR), and these simulations may aid singer training. The objective of this study is to determine if western-classical singers modify their vocal production in virtual reality spaces. Specifically, we seek to explore the potential changes in singer intensity and projection within immersive virtual spaces, hypothesizing that larger simulated spaces might induce increased loudness and projection from the singers, comparable to the effects observed in large physical venues.
Methods / Design
Participants will include 30 trained and experienced classical-singers (adults). Five different environments will be presented four times (each) in virtual reality. These environments will include a practice room, a singing studio, recording studio, small performance hall, and a large auditorium. Singers will perform a 15-second segment of “Caro mio ben” in the key that best suits each participant, while wearing virtual reality glasses. The 5 environments are each repeated four times for a total of 20 singing tokens. Environment order will be randomized to reduce potential order effects. Audio recordings will be made of the singers with a calibrated omnidirectional microphone mounted on the VR headset. Data analysis will include intensity, dynamic range, and spectral measures. All VR simulations will be visual-only, and the psychoacoustic cues of the various rooms will not be examined.
Conclusion:
If singers adapt their vocal performance to different visual environments, despite the lack of psychoacoustic cues, then VR may prove to be a useful training modality for singers to potentially reduce their performance anxiety in different environments. Pedagogical considerations will be discussed, as will directions for future research.
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