This descriptive study examines whether the clients who came for sessions at the Sound Singing Institute are familiar with and have used or use IPA. Singers from the SSI were polled to discover if they have studied, have used, or currently use IPA. The subjects are all clients seen at the SSI from 1997 to the present, 2024. Materials and methods include: (1) collect data, (2) create an excel spread sheet, (3) compute results and (4) create statistical profiles to describe each category.
This information was not gathered at the initial evaluation. Therefore, all subjects were emailed and/or called to ask the following questions: 1)Have you ever studied IPA for singing? 2)Did you use it in college or in a community setting or both? 3) If yes do you currently use it a) Not at all b) infrequently c)frequently. If they answered that they still use it, they were asked to describe in what way they use it.
The Sound Singing Institute has seen a wide variety of singers and non-singers. The demographic category of 'Singer type' includes (1) Performer, (2) Worship Leader, (3) Choral Director, (4) Music Educator-elementary, secondary, choral, band, (5) Choral Singer, (6) Vocal Performance (college/adult student), (7) Cantor, (8) Church Soloist, (9) Congregational Singer, (10) Music Therapist, (11) Bar/Bat Mitzvah Student, and (12) Recreational. Category 'Group' includes (1) Professional, (2) Avocational, (3) Student, and (4) Non-Singer. Genres are a separate category within the SSI demographics study.
It is necessary to examine the use of IPA for singers in the clinical setting as many clients who come for help with their voices may or may not know IPA. There is a need for alternatives. This study is relevant to a wide audience because more people desire to become a SVS. This study will help to illuminate other options for discussing consonants for use in exercises working with disordered voices.