Emily C.'s VRH Critiques, 9/19/13

Vocal Recital Hour Critique, 9/19/13

Emily Cottam

Luke Shepherd

Breathing is good; I don’t seen any particular movement. On higher notes, watch that you don’t raise your shoulders. You ran out of breath a couple of times--manage the breath a little better. The dynamic level stays pretty consistent throughout the song; try to add some variation (there was more towards the end). Intonation is very good throughout the song. The timbre is very warm and silky. Expression was a little stiff throughout. At the end of the song with the small embellishments, they seemed a little flat. 

Master Class (MC): Free feeling, good lack of tension--even vibrato. Good expressiveness. With the pisaggio, he’s sort of barely floating on the cords. Sing with the same voice you speak with. Sounds fuller/stronger. Speak much longer and slower. Add more focus to your vowels--you don’t want shallow vowels. Marry your passion/love to your singing of a piece. Start phrases soft, then crescendo. Story is not for you, but for the audience. 

Much better resonance when he sang in speaking resonance. 

Elizabeth Tait

Expression is very good. Your breathing seems a little shallow and a little breathy. It seems like you’re taking a lot of effort with your breathing. Diction was very understandable, but with the beginnings of words, there seems to be a lack of commitment. The timbre is smooth and slightly chewy. The lower notes seemed a sharp. 

MC: Lovely voice with many different colors. Merge all different “vocal pockets.” One breath must be generous and consistent. Don’t change the breath according to the demands of the music--keep it constant. Keep the vowel consistent regardless of the demands of the music. Jaw has to be kept loose. Sing the song on your best vowel. Float from note to note. 

(I had to leave for my next class at this point in time.)