Recital
Singing wise, it was pretty good. Some people who have, in the past, struggled with breath issues were now able to make it all the way through phrases and release gracefully without compressing or gasping. Yay!
There were some very wonderful expressive moments. Maureen's "Steal me" was exquisite and genuine. Katie had the audience's rapt attention on "Tell me on a Sunday." I thought Amanda's interpretation of "Feelings" was very charming and spontaneous. Both Grace's songs were heartfelt and "Old maid" was especially powerful. I also enjoyed Alycia's "Trip to the library." Very good facial expressions!
Kudos to Julia for getting "Sweet Suffolk Owl" into her voice as fast as she did! It will only get better over the next two weeks.
Thanks to Arielle for taking risks in both her pieces. You have the beginnings of your exploration of jazz.
I always learn so much from sitting off to the side and slightly BEHIND the singers in recitals .... I see posture things that I can't see looking dead on at people or even sitting off to the side and in front.
There was one person who would lurch forward whenever she took a breath. And her breath support was pretty decent, so it didn't get in the way that much, but honestly, if she stood still and kept the body quiet, it would be even better.
There was one person whose left arm stuck straight out for both her songs. This is actually an old habit of mine. If you look at my yearbook pictures of my days with Girls Quartet and Swing Choir or even any solo pics, any time I am standing with nothing to do with my hands, my left arm is ramrod straight and my wrist is bent, putting my hand at a 90 degree angle (approximately). I've never seen her do that in lessons.
Bill said there was someone who was pointing with her right hand. Constantly. Since I was on the left side, I didn't see it.
Remember, people, that gestures must have an origination and a destination. Don't raise a hand and then drop it. Choreograph your choices and make them look like they're natural and spontaneous. There were a few places where people had some good choices but they either didn't go anywhere or they looked a little contrived. Not awful - no one looked like they were totally fake. Some people need to do more. And not react when something goes wrong!!!
I'm writing this at 4:30am because I went out for Brazilian Night at Mr. B's (no, it didn't pertain to some kind of waxing - it's all-you-can-eat-meat). Apparently the Brazilian name for this kind of repast translates to "Meat Bucket." This kind of thing is wasted on me for 3 reasons:
1. You can't enjoy your conversation because people are constantly coming around offering you MEAT. I'd rather have a plate brought to me and if I want more, I will signal for it. LEAVE ME ALONE.
2. There's no way I can eat enough meat to warrant the cost of such a meal. And you can't bring home leftovers. (I suppose I could've lined my purse with plastic bags and dropped them in - back in my starving artist days, that might have happened.)
3. And the final reason and the reason that I'm up - I don't digest beef well. Especially if it's eaten at night. I can eat a burger, but steak, filets, chops.... I'm up all night.... :(
There were some very wonderful expressive moments. Maureen's "Steal me" was exquisite and genuine. Katie had the audience's rapt attention on "Tell me on a Sunday." I thought Amanda's interpretation of "Feelings" was very charming and spontaneous. Both Grace's songs were heartfelt and "Old maid" was especially powerful. I also enjoyed Alycia's "Trip to the library." Very good facial expressions!
Kudos to Julia for getting "Sweet Suffolk Owl" into her voice as fast as she did! It will only get better over the next two weeks.
Thanks to Arielle for taking risks in both her pieces. You have the beginnings of your exploration of jazz.
I always learn so much from sitting off to the side and slightly BEHIND the singers in recitals .... I see posture things that I can't see looking dead on at people or even sitting off to the side and in front.
There was one person who would lurch forward whenever she took a breath. And her breath support was pretty decent, so it didn't get in the way that much, but honestly, if she stood still and kept the body quiet, it would be even better.
There was one person whose left arm stuck straight out for both her songs. This is actually an old habit of mine. If you look at my yearbook pictures of my days with Girls Quartet and Swing Choir or even any solo pics, any time I am standing with nothing to do with my hands, my left arm is ramrod straight and my wrist is bent, putting my hand at a 90 degree angle (approximately). I've never seen her do that in lessons.
Bill said there was someone who was pointing with her right hand. Constantly. Since I was on the left side, I didn't see it.
Remember, people, that gestures must have an origination and a destination. Don't raise a hand and then drop it. Choreograph your choices and make them look like they're natural and spontaneous. There were a few places where people had some good choices but they either didn't go anywhere or they looked a little contrived. Not awful - no one looked like they were totally fake. Some people need to do more. And not react when something goes wrong!!!
I'm writing this at 4:30am because I went out for Brazilian Night at Mr. B's (no, it didn't pertain to some kind of waxing - it's all-you-can-eat-meat). Apparently the Brazilian name for this kind of repast translates to "Meat Bucket." This kind of thing is wasted on me for 3 reasons:
1. You can't enjoy your conversation because people are constantly coming around offering you MEAT. I'd rather have a plate brought to me and if I want more, I will signal for it. LEAVE ME ALONE.
2. There's no way I can eat enough meat to warrant the cost of such a meal. And you can't bring home leftovers. (I suppose I could've lined my purse with plastic bags and dropped them in - back in my starving artist days, that might have happened.)
3. And the final reason and the reason that I'm up - I don't digest beef well. Especially if it's eaten at night. I can eat a burger, but steak, filets, chops.... I'm up all night.... :(