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Church Singin'- Not for Wimps or Divas

January 16, 2010 By voiceclubcoach 1 Comment

sisteractOpen up auditions for any choir or worship team and you’ll run into them; singers who just aren’t sure they’re good enough to sing from the stage and those who are convinced that they are God’s embodied gift to music in the church. The problem is that both of them think they’re there for the singing.

Yes, I’m aware that singing is a what you do at one of those auditions, and I know there are plenty of both of these types of singers in the choir and on the worship team and maybe even a music leader leading you to believe that singing in the church is all about your talent, or the measure thereof. But it’s not.

There is only ONE venue in which your ability as a singer takes the second chair; and that is the church. And because most singers don’t know this exception to the rule, they never find the satisfaction they’re looking for when they sing in the church. The insecure singer is only made more insecure by watching what they believe to be better singers snatching up all the solos and even the diva can never quite get enough stage time to fulfill their need for praise. That’s because singing in the church is not at all about you, or your ability.

So if your skill level is not the most important thing, what is?

Your audience.

worshipUnlike any other venue you could sing in, in the church there is only one audience member that counts; God. After all, it’s His place, not yours. And you’re not singing for His amusement or because He didn’t have anyone better booked that day.  You’re there to carry the great responsibility of offering a gift to God himself on behalf of everyone in the seats and on the stage.

And when your gift; your song, reaches His ears, you don’t have to worry about how flashy the packaging is or even if it’s on key (that’s really more for us, and He gets that). You just have to be able to look Him in the eye and offer it to Him from your heart. Sounds simple, but it can be tougher than pullin’ off a high C at full force for 4 measures in front of a crowd of thousands. And that’s probably why, when done with the correct perspective, singing in the church can be more fulfilling than singing any other place.

The largest crowd I’ve sang for was around 500,000. It was a blast. It was great to hear a sea of applause, but honestly…no lie; I’d take the joy of singing in the church any day over it.

Don’t diss the opportunity to sing in your church. You might discover an opportunity to sing different styles of music than you’re used to. You 100_0068might improve your ability to harmonize, or at least to work with other moody musicians! But more importantly, you’ll miss that chance to experience why the angels just can’t stop singing; the joy of performing for the most important audience ever.

I’d love to hear your comments about your experiences singing in the church. You can leave one below.

Filed Under: Perform Better Tagged With: , , ,

Why X-Factor Will Be Better for Singers Than American Idol

January 13, 2010 By voiceclubcoach 3 Comments

The-X-Factor-the-x-factor-383824_700_432

Get your Simon fix while you can.  Season 9 of American will be one of your last chances to see the brutally honest Britt as a judge on American Idol.  That’s because Brittan’s own X-Factor is coming to the states in fall of 2011.

Sure it’s a bit to wait, but the it will be worth it when you consider the differences between the two reality show styled talent contests.

AMERICAN IDOL
X-FACTOR
Age Limit:

Type:

Performance:

Training/Support:

16-28

Solo acts only

Acapella, then live band

Song and wardrobe selection, performance direction once in top group

None

Solos, duos, groups, you name it.

Soundtrack

All of those, plus personal mentoring from the judges themselves

Leona-Lewis-Spirit-418534Rumor has it Paula Abdul might be back for this one, but either way the show format that has launched European stars like Leona Lewis is sure to make a dent in the Idol audience and the talent pool.

So if you thought you couldn’t get a shot at your dream because of your age or because you’re not a solo act, now’s the time to ramp up your training and get out there and perform as much as humanly possible.  This is your last chance workout!  Oh wait, that’s another reality show.

Filed Under: Get Out There, Perform Better, Promote Better, They Did WHAT? Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Will Your Kid Ever Be a GREAT Singer?

January 8, 2010 By voiceclubcoach 1 Comment

The comment I hear most from parents of singing kids is “well, I know they’re never going to be a GREAT singer, but….” And when I hear that, the little voice in my head screams what recently spilled out of my loose lips to a parent of an extremely talented student of mine; “With all due respect, shuuuuuuut uuuup!”

If you are a lawyer, there will always be another lawyer you view as more compelling than you. If you are a mechanic, there will be another shop that pulls in more money than yours. If you bake, someone will always have a new design you never thought of. And yes, if you sing, there will ALWAYS be someone you view as much better than you. Ask any ‘great singer’. They probably have a few names in mind right now.

money-clipI have to tell you, as a voice teacher I think there aren’t enough ‘successful’ singers trying to become ‘great singers’. But as a parent, I totally get that we want to encourage our kids without giving them false hopes when we’re not sure they can achieve what they dream of. Besides, as someone who also forks out the cash to have others teach my kids different skills, I get that we all want to make sure we’re investing in the right areas.

If you’re paying for your kid(s) to be involved in the arts, whether it’s voice lessons, instrument instruction or theater, it’s probably because you saw a spark of talent in them and an interest that you want to support.

Most kids won’t become ‘stars’ as we think of it. Even the really, really good ones! So are you wasting your time?

Never! When you see that your kid might have a talent for something they’re passionate about and you support it, you’re teaching them crucial life ctm121508skills. You’re teaching them that when they have an interest, they have to work hard to get better at it and see where that leads them. They have to learn to deal disappointment when they don’t get the solo or the part they wanted. They have to learn how to deal with others who will challenge their views of themselves and their abilities.

And guess what happens along the way? Many of those kids whose parents didn’t think were strong enough to outlast the competition will work harder than you expected. They’ll dig in where you thought they’d lose interest, and they’ll become artists in their own right. Some WILL lose interest and move on to something else, and something else…and something else, until they find a passion they find worth working for. But some will discover that being involved in the arts is a big part of a fulfilling life for them. Some will use what they learned to make a good side income throughout their adult lives. And others road-to-success-small-main_Full_1_will use their childhood experiences to springboard a full time music career; which in today’s market is approximately 18 months. ;)

We all want our kids to succeed. But we don’t know what success will look like on them. They might just surprise you and become the ‘great singer’ other kids think they can never become. But even if they don’t, they will know what it means to be supported in discovering whichever dream is right for them. And they will learn that it’s always worthwhile to take the journey to see where the road will lead.

Filed Under: Just for Kids, Perform Better Tagged With: , , ,

Will I Sing Again in 2010?

January 2, 2010 By voiceclubcoach 2 Comments

Not even weeks without food could make hospital jello taste better

So here’s the cliff notes version of my last year:

Trip to see a pro singers specialist in Beverly Hill

I went to the ENT with a bruised eardrum from a gig and was told acid reflux was about to burn my vocal cords at the stake (fall ’08).

After all other treatments failed, I had a surgery for acid reflux last December. My stomach burst three days later.

They woke me in the hospital so my husband could say goodbye before I underwent emergency surgery. I spent most of the month in the hospital.

My favorite ride at Disneyland, where my daughter sang

More looks at my vocal cords

The year included a total of four surgeries, an eight inch in scar opened twice and 10 laporascopic holes to try to repair the damage.

When I started all of this I had no trouble singing. Now, on top of my other medical issues, I have a constant gravel in my voice and pain in my throat that is made worse by speech or singing.

After a year of ongoing recovery, barely walking or talking let a lone singing for much of the year and losing my job as a producer/talent and, as a result, our home….just before Christmas 2009 they told me maybe it’s not acid reflux after all and maybe we should start over again with the ENT.

My mom & I at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix

I don’t mean to be all gripey, but it’s been a long year. It’s been doable in small doses, but then came Christmas and the realization that I haven’t sang O Holy Night for two years now. Sound trite, I suppose, but I’m a singer. It’s the one thing I can (or could) physically do that brings me incredible joy. And for most of my life I’ve had the honor of singing O Holy Night at the Christmas Eve services at my church.

Christmas Eve rehearsal 2007

Now I love rock and the blues and there’s nothing like belting out a good Ella tune, but O Holy Night is in a class of it’s own. It mixes an endless possibility of opportunities for vocal expression with a powerful, timeless message that I’m personally passionate about. I sat and cried like a stupid baby when they sang it at the Christmas Eve service this year. Not because I didn’t get to sing it, but because I so desperately miss singing. I miss the beauty of the notes flowing together and the depth of dynamics that weave in and out to tell a story. I miss being a living part of that. I miss it desperately.

My Sweet Family

I’m in the middle of six more months of vocal rest…though I’m not even sure why at this point. The one thing everyone agrees on is that my vocal cords are strong and healthy; not at all burned from any acid reflux or the truckload of drugs I’ve been on this year. But after one of my surgeries I developed a constant pain that starts just below my vocal cords and runs down my throat. For awhile I couldn’t talk at all. So even though I can technically sing, sneaking out anymore than a few lines is still too painful. No one knows why or if/when it will go away and enable me to sing freely again.

My year wasn’t all bad though. I’ve soaked in the time with my kids and my wonderful husband. I’ve discovered cooking and, believe it or not, crochet! I’ve lived unashamedly and vicariously through my students whom I adore and I have bathed in the beauty of song I suppose like a blind person must soak in each little sound.

Before

After

So I’m thankful for my year. Thankful to have lost weight (can’t ever complain about that!) and to have been surrounded by lots of loving, incredible people.

The doctors aren’t saying what my medical future holds. There are only plans for more medical tests, more medication and maybe more surgery in the new year. And hopefully some answers.

But even if it kills me…I’m going to sing in 2010. God only knows how, but I will.

Filed Under: Personal Blog Tagged With: , ,