Finishing Tuesday

Tuesday, a good day!  Woke up late (oops) and got to 8:00 mentor class a little late :(  Gwen was nice about it--she gave a great presentation on the choral voice and solo voice, presenting scientific info on how they are differently produced at the glottal level and that voices at different points of training are more and less capable of singing in those ways.  Basically, a "trained voice" (specifically defined as a voice that has developed the upper partials and can carry over an orchestra) has to manipulate at the glottal level in order to create a choral sound, and an "untrained voice" (can have studied voice, but doesn't sing with singers' formant and can't carry over an orchestra) sings more efficiently at flow phonation (ensemble sound). Whoa!  It isn't just whiny singers refusing to blend, but there is an actual physiological reason why it is problematic.  I have a bibliography that I will indeed peruse, especially Sundberg's work.

Caught the end of the Bolcom aria class- I do love "New York Lights" and it will always make me think of Kevin Newell, the first student I had do it.  RAN down the Grand Street hill to make copies at FedEx, and barreled into Thayer Hall right on time for....

Laura Strickling and Martin Katz

All the performers, Katz in a fantastic bright pink tie

Truly fantastic recital at noon with Martin Katz at the piano and five of the Stern Fellows singing.  They introduced the pieces from the stage, sang incredibly, and Katz is incredible.  It is undeniable that he is one of the very best out there, and the singers sang with complete confidence with him at the keys.  Rachel Schutz sang Wolf and Brahms (none of which I knew!), Jihee Kim sang 3 of the "Cinq Poemes de Baudelaire" by Debussy, Ian McEuen sang four of the "Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo" by Britten, Laura Choi Stuart sang Faure, Ravel, and Lili Boulanger exquisitely, and Laura Strickling sang a very entertaining set of 5 Rossini songs, 3 of which had the same text.  It really was an outstanding concert.

Afterwards, a masterclass with baritone William Sharp on American Masters and we heard songs of Rorem, Bolcom, Larsen, Musto, and Chanler.  Great masterclass, as Sharp has sung all these songs except the Larsen and had great insights and worked largely on presentation.  I supplied a metronome and an answer about the high key on one song! I spoke up! I also told him today how much I enjoyed all his work yesterday.  He is definitely nice to look at as well :)

My friend Lock with pianist Dimitri Dover rocking on Ned Rorem's "Early in the Morning"

William Sharp working on a relaxed, conversational stance

I must get the collected works of Musto book- I though I had it, but I definitely don't.  Sat with new mentor Rob Brandt and got to know him a bit.  Afterwards, laid in the sun on the main plaza and talked with Ivy. She is funny and cool and I look forward to knowing her better.  Went with Nathan and Lock to dinner--we were going to go to the Mexican place across the street, but it was basically an organic Chipotle fast food place.  We went to the Blue Cow instead, and I had a root salad (surprisingly good) and some kind of putine (YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!).  Had a great conversation with Lock who is such a nice guy, good listener, and caring person.  I felt comfortable telling him about myself and I am often quite guarded.  Yay for friends!

We got back to Colburn just in time for the highlight so far of SongFest--a cabaret concert performed by William Bolcom and Joan Morris, John Musto and Amy Burton, and William Sharp with both pianists.  It was awesome, awesome, awesome!  Joan Morris totally schooled us in performance and interpretation and general stage savvy, and it was amazing to hear Bolcom and Musto improvising together!  We all hooted and hollered through the whole thing.  I had a chance to talk to Bolcom and Morris later that night and felt that I was able to tell them how incredibly they were.  They are really, really fun to talk to.  I love them.

Musto, Sharp, Morris, Burton, and Bolcom

Curtain Call

"

"Always" encore.  So awesome

Curtain Call

 Afterwards walked to FAMIMA! with Nathan and Ivy and bought some apple juice and some Melty candies that the clerk told me I had to try.  They were terrific!!!!  Chocolate with strawberry center.  YUM!  Then we enjoyed the plaza and waterfalls, and I took my shoes off and dipped my toes in the water and was told by security I couldn't do that!  I've been in trouble twice now!!!!!!!!!!

Nathan, me, and Ivy dancing on the plaza like no one is watching!

Me, dancing after being busted by security!

Afterwards, I had to do laundry so I had pants to wear today!  Wore my Dodgers hat and had to take my tons of laundry down in my suitcase so several people (including Bolcom and Morris) asked if I was leaving!  Nope.  Got my birthday card from mom (thanks also Melanie, Nancy, and Jordyn for cards, too!), did some memory work on my Chaminade song for my Amy Burton coaching and fell asleep sitting up!  Oy.  Bolcom and Morris were in the lobby as they were locked out of their room since they had desensitized their keys (hee hee!) and they are so fun to talk to!  They talked about their musician friends, and Bolcom said to me that when we come down to the end friends are what are important.  And I said yes, and your music and your CDs!

Slept hard!