Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
Singing alone is a part of the National Standards in Music Education. (The Standards are listed in the link on the home page.) In order for me to track your vocal development and see your improvement, I need to hear you. Most often I will have you sing with one or two other students.Back to Top
Sing! Sing! Sing! That's the first thing you should do. Your grade is based on the following: - Class Participation - Timely completion of assignments - Attendance/Participation for PerformancesBack to Top
What should I know about vocal health?
A Singer's Notes: Preventing Vocal Nodules http://www.bgsm.edu/voice/singers_notes.html Teresa Radomski, MM "Do I have nodules?!" This is one of the question most often asked by singers who have been having problems with their vocal production. Repeated hoarseness, breathy or "husky" tone (especially in the middle register), difficulty singing in the upper register (especially the inability to sing high notes pianissimo), the need to use greater-than-normal breath pressure to sustain the voice, thereby increased the overall effort of singing -- these are danger signals that indicate the possibility of nodules on the vocal cords. What are vocal nodules? Normal vocal cords have smooth, white mucosal surfaces without any irregularities on the vibrating borders. Excessive tension or force used when singing or speaking often "overloads" the vibration of the vocal cords, resulting in too much friction. A hematoma, or bruise on the vibrating edge develops, generally occurring at the anterior one-third of the vocal cord, which is the point of maximal contact during phonation. Later, fibrous tissue replaces the hematoma, becomes larger, and eventually appears as a soft or hard white nodule. Typically, two nodules are present; they appear opposite each other on each vocal fold, indicating the place of excessive friction and/or impact. How are nodules treated? Once vocal nodules have been diagnosed, treatment usually begins with complete vocal rest followed by a careful regimen of speech therapy and/or appropriate singing exercises. If the nodules are large, surgical removal may be necessary. However, regardless of how the nodules are treated, it is imperative that destructive singing or speaking patterns be corrected -- if the singer returns to his or her old habits of voice production, the nodules will return. How can nodules be prevented? Proper vocal technique and a sensible lifestyle, which includes necessary rest and relaxation, aerobic exercise, and a healthy diet, are sufficient to prevent vocal nodules! Recent studies of the laryngeal biomechanics of singers at the Center For Voice Disorders have shown that excessive muscle tension patterns in the larynx are greatly reduced in singers with vocal training, as compared to singers who have never studied voice. See "Laryngeal Biomechanics of the Singing Voice" Singers need to learn how they can be both relaxed and energetic in their vocal production -- a delicate "balance" that is accomplished gradually through increased kinesthetic awareness. Breath support must be appropriate; too much breath pressure can result in excessive laryngeal tension. The vocal cords must be protected from overexertion: for example, through the avoidance of a hard "glottal attack." Learning to "open up" pharyngeal space with a loose jaw, tongue, and soft palate increases resonance and enhances vocal production without "forcing" or "pushing." Careful development of the registers of the voice safeguards against vocal strain; for example, the "blending" of the male falsetto voice or the female "head" voice with the "chest" register aids in appropriate vocal cord vibration. Appropriate voice classification is essential to ease in singing; singing out of range (in the wrong tessitura) is asking for vocal trouble. Likewise, singers should use care in developing the extremes of their range, and should avoid singing too many high (or low) notes during a practice period. Singers should also be aware that the "correct technique" applies not only to their singing voice, but also to their speaking voice. Misuse of the speaking voice, usually by forcing it to a lower pitch, causes problems for singers, including the possibility of developing nodules. (See "Bogart-Bacall Syndrome.") Once proper vocal technique has been learned, it remains the responsibility of the singer to maintain optimal vocal performance through a sensible regimen of daily practice, including a careful warm-up before all rehearsals and performances. No athlete would attempt to compete without warming-up, yet singers frequently neglect to prepare themselves adequately for the physical intricacies of singing! Certain types of singing are much more prone to the development of vocal nodules: rock, jazz, gospel, and most popular styles, for example, in which the technique resembles shouting or screaming, greatly "overload" vocal cord vibration. Performing for long hours in the smoky, dusty, and noisy environment of nightclubs further aggravates a tendency toward vocal abuse. The prevalence of nodules among popular singers is often evidenced by the typical "husky," or "breathy" tone quality -- a characteristic sound that can become a personal "vocal trademark." Indeed, many pop singers diagnosed with nodes do not wish to treat them, for fear of losing their "persona"! Such singers should be aware, however, that continued vocal abuse (singing with nodules), combined with smoking, alcohol, or drug abuse can lead to serious laryngeal disease, including cancer. The fact that many popular singers are untrained also increases their chances of vocal disorders. In the aforementioned recent study of laryngeal biomechanics at the Center For Voice Disorders, two female popular singers were examined, by transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy. The two singers were about the same age, and sang a similar repertoire, but one had never studied voice, while the other had had many years of "classical" voice study. The untrained singer had vocal nodules, with a resulting breathy tone, and exhibited a great deal of muscle tension while performing. The trained singer showed a healthy larynx with little muscle tension, and sang with a clear, strong tone -- evidence that vocal study benefits popular as well as "classical" singers. Most professional "classical" singers are very protective of their voices, occasionally to the extent of hypochondria. Nonetheless, their best intentions to preserve their voices may be undermined by overly-demanding rehearsal/performance schedules, often combined with the fatigue of travel (usually on dry, dusty, and noisy airplanes), and the necessity to fulfill their performance contract obligations, regardless of whether they are healthy or ill. Aspiring young singers often allow themselves to be overworked during the early stages of their careers, a time when they should instead be carefully developing and nurturing a healthy technique that will enable them to perform well for many years. Would-be professional singers, in their desire for "experience", often accept roles that are out of their optimal vocal range. Unfortunately, the demands of today's high-pressured professional world have resulted in the "early retirement" of many of these singers. The importance of maintaining one's general health as a contributing factor to one's vocal hygiene cannot be overestimated. Regardless of the style of singing, rest and relaxation are essential as antidotes to the rigors of extensive vocal use, nervous tension, and performance stress. Proper diet is important, especially since many voice disorders result from gastroesophageal reflux disease, in which stomach acid backs up into the larynx, causing irritation of the vocal cords. (See "Medicine in the Vocal Arts"). Overuse of alcohol adversely affects the voice through its drying effect on the tissues of the vocal tract. The damaging effects of cigarette smoke, including "secondhand smoke," are well known, and obviously should be avoided by singers. Any drug that is inhaled, swallowed or injected may affect the muscles of vocal production, aside from the obvious dangers of being an addict on substances. Commonly used drugs such as antihistamines can irritate the vocal cords through over-drying of the mucosa, and aspirin can increase the tendency to hemorrhage. Finally, a routine of aerobic exercise, yoga, and/or meditation, can greatly help to relieve stress and tension, thereby enhancing the singer's overall well-being. References: 1. Bunch, Meribeth: Dynamics of the Singing Voice, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1982. 2. Punt, NA: The Singer's and Actor's Throat, William Heinemann Medical Books Ltd., London, 1979. 3. Saunders, WA: The Larynx, CIBA Pharmaceutical Company, Summit, N.J., 1964. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -- � Copyright, Center For Voice Disorders of Wake Forest University http://kidshealth.org/misc_pages/bodyworks/resp.htmlBack to Top
What do I have to wear to the concerts?
Students in 6th Grade Chorus are not required to purchase an outfit. 7th and 8th Grade Chorus students will be required to purchase an outfit. A handout will be sent home about purchasing outfits at the beginning of the year.Back to Top
Please refer to the Calendar section of the webpage. All scheduled performances are listed there.Back to Top
How can I practice at home without a piano?
Do you have a computer or a cd player? If yes, then all you have to do is bring a cd to school and I will burn a cd for you to use at home. You can also access music files through our classroom website.Back to Top