2017

The Music Major Minute : He Sang/She Sang: An Inexplicably Cheesy Practice Room Romance

Get caught up in a little spring fever with this whimsical imaginary love story set in a college practice room. And then consider the very serious idea of using a practice buddy to motivate and improve your own practice room sessions.

Apr 01 Christi Amonson

Why We Still Can’t Get Enough of Callas

Love her or hate her, no one can deny the continuing impact of Maria Callas. Have a look at a fresh perspective into the musical styling of this controversial soprano.

Apr 01 Tony Villecco

How to Prepare for Auditions : (And What People Really Want from You)

In addition to telling you how to prepare for auditions, husband and wife team Robert and Jane Mirshak share what auditioners really are looking for in an audition.

Apr 01 Robert Mirshak

Blending Genres: : A Cappella, Broadway, and Classical

Is there a place for opera singers in the new a cappella fascination storming the land? The writer of the a cappella musical In Transit answers that question and more.

Apr 01 Rachel Antman

From Low Points to High Notes

Bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green’s journey to an international opera career at first glance seems rather ordinary. Green earned vocal performance degrees at the Hartt School and Florida State University. He went on to Young Artist Programs with Opera Colorado and the Martina Arroyo Foundation. And in 2011, he won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and landed a spot in the Lindemann Young Artist Development
Program. But as a new book and subsequent national media attention reveal, his story is a truly extraordinary one about his very troubled childhood that somehow led to a life Green could never have imagined—until he did.

Apr 01 Brian Manternach

The Singer’s Library : Sing for Your Life: When Hard Luck Turns to Good Luck

New York Times author Daniel Bergner discusses his new book about singer Ryan Speedo Green and his remarkable journey overcoming significant hardships on the road to an international opera career.

Apr 01 Brian Manternach

Musings on Mechanics : In Praise of Articulatory Asceticism

When skills that are easy in vocalizes become difficult when singing repertoire, the problem just might be with your diction. Find out how to troubleshoot to find the real issue here.

Apr 01 Claudia Friedlander

From the Editor : Inspired by La Callas

True confession time. Are you ready? I have never understood the fascination with Maria Callas. When I was in college I knew of her larger-than-life reputation—on and off the stage—and

Apr 01 Sara Thomas

To Be Musical or to be Boring-THAT is the Question (Part 1)

One of our favorite phrases of choice when communicating to our artists before a performance or audition is “Whatever you do, don’t be boring.” While that is meant as a

Mar 29 Robert Mirshak

The Dilemma For Cross Over Singers – Part 1

A sad, but typical story from the studio of someone who works with nonclassical singers—part one of two. A woman, somewhere between the ages of 25 to 30, comes into

Mar 10 Randy Buescher

Stop the Insidious Noise

“On your last day on earth, the person you became will meet the person you could have become.” — Anonymous Sometimes, to become successful and get closer to the person you can

Mar 06 Carol Kirkpatrick

Classical Concrete: A Review and Guide to the NYC Music Scene

Welcome to the debut post of Classical Concrete, curated by Mary Claire Curran. Classical Concrete is inspired by the NYC classical music scene. The accompanying Spotify playlist tries to encompass

Mar 05 Mary Claire Curran