Chapter Summary: First and foremost you are a voice, plain and simple. Labels can be helpful in understanding size, range, color, flexibility, etc of a voice but shouldn't ever be understood as a way to understand the full potential or capacity of a voice since with training and development voices change. This is why Oren Brown warns to be wary of classification because of the 'great injustice' to restrict singers to any special voice type before they have had time to explore their range and dynamics and to develop their technique. This is one reason why it is very important to treat childrens voices with care. They shouldn't be required to sing heavily, but only in their light voices, and should not be required to sing for very long periods of time. Voices can be damaged, sometimes irreparably so, when abused as children and teenagers. In training children's voices, no attempt should be made to have them sing loudly or for too long at one time.
Key Concept: Experimenting with the voice should always be a fun and explorative activtiy, especially with young singers! Always allow for flexibility and development and never expect too much too soon.
Key Terms: tessitura
monotone
Making Connections: I'm really excited to be directing Tarzan and I've been nervous about working with children in the show because I don't know exactly how to treat their voices healthily. I'm holding auditions for the children in the show next week and this chapter is incredibly helpful for me as I consider how I want to run the audition and what to expect and ask of their voices.
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