I received Classical Singer magazine in the post yesterday and just want to congratulate you on a great article and to thank you for exposing Bel Canto Italia [Summer programs issue, January 2003] to a wider American audience, especially as this school will be moving there in the near future. Unfortunately another singer from Sydney paid money to Mr. Della Mora before finding our website: www.vocalists.esmartmusic.com, and he is refusing to return her 12,000 Australian dollars. I have found a number of printed advertisements around Sydney, so I will continue to warn as many people here in Australia as possible.
—Jessica Pratt, Sydney, Australia
Classical Singer is a one-of-a-kind, invaluable resource for in-depth information about the most important aspects of classical singing! There is no other publication like it! Thank you!
—John Thade, New York NY
This magazine is the best thing I’ve ever seen for telling it the way it is. Its relevance to singers cannot be overstated. It’s the best resource I know, especially for those trying to “break in.”
—Elizabeth Moore, Kirkland WA
This is an excellent magazine. I only wish there was more information for those of us who are serious teachers of classical singing and how we might better influence and serve our communities.
—Michele Milano, Stafford VA
My teacher suggested this magazine, and I have found it extremely useful during my transition from being an undergrad to applying for graduate school. I have suggested it to several friends and colleagues.
—Brett Ruona, Clovis CA
I enjoy Classical Singer. There are always relevant articles that are informative. I would be interested in reading more articles about college-level singers and how to make the transition from student to professional.
—Emily Castle-Dunn, Richmond VA
I appreciate your magazine so much! The articles addressed to the needs and aspirations of older singers like myself (over 40) are really wonderful. I enjoy the articles on vocal health and business issues. I don’t think there is another magazine out there that provides this needed information. Thank you again!
—Lois Myers; San Diego CA
I read CS as soon as it arrives, usually from cover to cover, and I share articles and information with my vocal pedagogy students. Most articles are extracted and filed by topic for future reference. I appreciate your choice of topics and the manner in which they are presented.
—Dr. Clifton Ware; St. Paul MN
Thank you Dr. Ware. CS is happy to make reprints of articles available for vocal pedagogy classes and workshops; just e-mail cjw@classicalsinger.com for permission. However, it is important that students be encouraged to obtain their own subscriptions. Whether they are ready to hear about the many competitions and auditions or not, students really don’t figure out what their chosen profession will be like unless they are reading the magazine and thus connecting with other singers worldwide. The magazine (and the website) should be the first book listed on every college singing teacher’s list of required texts. Without it, they graduate knowing little beyond the world of their own university. As an example, many colleges still have on their bulletin boards advertisements for the summer programs we warned singers about in the January issue. Students who aren’t reading the magazine sign up for these programs and teachers who don’t read it recommend them. Scams continue to proliferate. I just had another letter from a singer who turned in her deposit for one of them based on the recommendation of a professor who had “heard something good once” about one of the scams. She read the magazine after she’d sent in the deposit. —Editor
Very helpful. I am a college professor. Some of your articles on the business are going to be quoted in a new book in process. Hopefully you will grant permission. We’ll talk later. Excellent Publication!
—Hedley Nosworthy, Palos Verdes Pen CA
As a soloist & voice teacher your articles frequent my studio and circulate among my students. Thanks for the constant effort you make on behalf of singers.
—Thomas Sherwood, Cincinnati OH
With so many comments flowing to your magazine on negative aspects of the opera industry, I thought I might add a ray of sunshine to your comment section. First of all, I am pleased to see more African-Americans in our US Opera houses and not just the “token” African-American we have been accustomed to seeing on stage. The progress is slow, but “sho,” as they say where I live. Also, I applaud your magazine for the articles you published on abusive teachers and “racism in opera.”
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for speaking out about such “hush hush” issues. I applaud your bravery and courage for looking at these two problems and deciding to “acknowledge” that these issues exist, and also for asking the readers how we could deal with these issues. You are AWESOME, Classical Singer!
—Name Withheld, Memphis TN
Magazine is good. Articles should be more “in-depth” on health and pedagogical issues. What happened to the job listings?
—Carlene McMonagle, Waukesha WI
Suzanne Martiny, our Auditions Coordinator and I are puzzled by your question. The auditions section is in the center of the magazine and is even bigger on the website which every subscriber has access to. It is updated every day. If your audition section is missing, please contact the office for a new copy. —Editor
I think Classical Singer is a great magazine for people in the field of classical vocal arts. It is practical and really gets to the essentials. I have one concern that personal information about singers should not become “gossipy.”
—Lorraine Christensen; NY NY
Fabulous articles, always timely & relevant. Probably the best resource (on the current state of classical singing) that’s out there.
—Dr. Ruth Christensen, Provo UT
Like the improved focus on the practicality of starting a career.
—Susan Sevier, Washington DC
