| Abstract Title | Training Expressive Singing In Musical Theatre and Commercial Music |
|---|---|
| Submission Category | Voice Pedagogy |
| Presentation Type | Workshop |
| Willing to Present as Poster? | No |
| Abstract | Training Expressive Singing in Musical Theatre and Commercial Music One of the challenges teachers of singing face is helping the singer to connect to a song. Singing a song is more than singing the notes and lyrics in the written score; acting cannot be left out of the voice. The singer must include musical style, expression, emotion and storytelling so the audience is invited into the singer’s world through song. Although essential for singers to connect emotionally, it can be challenging for a singer to express or connect to a song if he or she has not personally gone through certain life experiences. This is where personal imagination, creativity and empathy come into play. Using Chekhov's Psychological Gestures in our singing may aide in teaching us to sing/act with our entire body, from a physical place. Resulting in more connection to the text as well as more expression and emotion in the singing voice. It allows the singer to identify the emotion and then physically feel the emotion in the body. Emotional expression and singing are not separate skills in a performance or audition, but a marriage of both areas to give the best performance possible. This workshop will work with singers to examine specific ways to explore and connect to songs emotionally, musically and vocally bringing the song to life. This workshop seeks to enhance pedagogical skills and teaching performance in guiding the musical theatre singer as they explore song authenticity. Edrie Means Weekly, B.M.E., M.M., Associate Professor of Voice and Vocal Pedagogy, Contemporary Commercial Music Vocal Pedagogy Institute, Co-Founder, Shenandoah University and Conservatory of Music, 1460 University Ave., Winchester, VA 22601 [email protected] Cell: 703-470-9443 |
| First Name | Edrie |
| Last Name | Weekly |
