by Mike Telin
No matter what your musical genre of choice, whether it’s opera, Broadway, pop, country & western or jazz— you name it — if there’s singing involved, chances are that at some point a singer has either withdrawn, cancelled, or chosen to lip-sync because of voice problems.
Beginning on Friday, January 31 and running through Sunday, February 2, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music will host the 2014 Symposium for Voice Performance and Pedagogy. “The weekend is all about getting together and having conversation about vocal health,” says Lorraine Manz, Associate Professor of Singing and Director of Oberlin’s Otto B. Schoepfle Vocal Arts Center. “We’re very excited to be the host because the region and the state is home to so many outstanding vocal programs that train singers not only in opera but in jazz, musical theatre and Contemporary Commercial Music.”
In addition to Oberlin voice faculty, the Symposium will feature members of the Cleveland Clinic Voice Center and guest clinician Jeanette LoVetri (above). Attendees are coming from across the United States and include private studio teachers, college and conservatory teachers and choral conductors as well as professional and avocational singers. “I’m very pleased that so many people from the area are attending,” Manz said. “This will be a great meeting place to share ideas and have conversation.”
Manz points out that staying in good vocal health is not just a concern of singers.“Anyone who uses their voice as part of their job should think about it. Like right now, you and I are using our voices to conduct this interview. Especially people who speak in front of crowds, like classroom teachers should be aware of their vocal health.” And as the Cleveland Clinic Voice Center website notes, “Your voice is your connection to the world. A work presentation, choral performance, or a chat with mom, your voice is vital in your daily life. If you have a voice problem, your first step is to learn about all treatment options and services available.”
Manz is very happy that clinician Jeannette LoVetri was able to be part of the weekend, “Jeanne is wonderful and has over 40 years of experience working as a Broadway vocal coach and working with medical voice scientists. She coined the term ‘Contemporary Commercial Music,’ or CCM as she calls it. She’s advanced vocal training and developed new ways of helping singers who were trained in one area like opera to be able to sing pop, Broadway or jazz, and then go back to opera without hurting their voices.”
Symposium session topics include (view a complete schedule here):
Friday, January 31
Functional Training Based Upon the Reflexive Nature of the Vocal Apparatus – Jeannette LoVetri
Understanding the volitional and non-volitional responses of the vocal mechanism is crucial to creating functional singing training for 21st century vocal performance. This talk will explore vocal function and examine why singers and teachers of singing must master it in order to cultivate vocal health and maintain career longevity.
Masterclass with Jeannette LoVetri – “Singing Outside the Box: When the music takes you where you didn’t think you could go”
Saturday, February 1
Prelude: Vocal Arts Medicine – Care of the Performing Artist
The Voice Center at Cleveland Clinic
Presenter Michael S. Benninger, chair of the Head and Neck Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, will lead the discussion.
Anatomy and Physiology of the Vocal Instrument and Medical Care of the Professional Voice
The Voice Center at Cleveland Clinic
Explanation of the anatomy of the larynx and surrounding structures as they apply to vocalization. Discussion of medical evaluation of the larynx and common medical issues affecting the voice, treatment, and the implications that those medical problems or medicines may have on the singing voice.
Healthy Phonation in Speaking and Singing
A practical discussion of vocal wellness and hygiene, providing attitudinal concepts and action plans to prevent vocal crisis.
Fiberoptic/Stroboscopic Sessions
See live onstage: The vocal folds in action through fiberoptic/stroboscopic examination as singers perform vocal maneuvers, including contrasting styles. The audience will view the examinations via monitor and large screen. Jeannette LoVetri, assisting
Teaching Demonstration: Masterclass
Timothy LeFebvre, Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Singing Outside the Box II: Discussion and Teaching Demonstration
Jeannette LoVetri, guest clinician
Sunday, February 2
Your Voice as a Metaphor
Jeannette LoVetri
The relationship of the voice to the psyche and to the life of a singer in all its aspects.
Roundtable Discussion and Q &A: Members of the Voice Center, Jeannette LoVetri, and Oberlin Conservatory Voice faculty
Published on ClevelandClassical.com January 28, 2014
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