Discrimination
Dear Editor: Discrimination towards black people has been talked about, but we never talk about the same issue towards Asians, who do suffer from different types of discrimination in this business. Your headshot issue only demonstrated pictures of white and black folks, but there wasn’t a single Asian shot in that issue. We need guidance too.
—Name Withheld, Muncie, IN
This is the first time a reader has complained of discrimination against Asians. Can you explain a bit more of what you are facing? It sounds like a topic that needs to be discussed. —CJ
Dear Editor: Please continue your fight against age discrimination in competitions and other auditions. —Jackson Sheats, VA
Dear Editor: A comment on CJ Williamson’s editorial in the June CS talking about weight and singing. I quote, “it takes a magnificent voice to overcome a less than beautiful physique”. This was referring to a woman singer at “an unhealthy weight”. How judgmental of Ms. Williamson. If one isn’t thin, they better be absolutely spectacular vocally, right? Is this a helpful comment? I think not. I have struggled with my weight and I would like to be at the weight my doctor feels is healthy for me—but as I work towards that goal, I intend to keep singing too. Ms. Williamson’s comments are not “support for your life” as you market on your cover of CS. Meanwhile, comments featured in that editorial contribute to our national problem of thin and beautiful. Some of the most beautiful women I know are not thin but they love themselves and radiate beauty and poise. CS should be encouraging a balance of dinging what’s healthy for a singer whatever his/her shape or size.—Name Withheld, Fairfield, CT
Discrimination exists. The question is whether CS talks about things the way they are or the way they should be. Our job is to do both: talk about what is currently happening with racial, age, weight and other types of discrimination and what singers can do to help themselves overcome the odds. These are topics voice teachers and General Directors dance around. Singers need to know as much as possible about those who are doing the hiring. As you’ll read in this issue on race discrimination, these people have very creative ways to say “no” without actually saying their reasons. It’s one way we support singers here at CS; we bring hidden agendas out in the open. —CJ
Dear Editor: From one of the “late bloomers” in the music community, thank you for a series of intelligent, balanced and sensitve articles this past year on the issue of age discrimination. You’ve helped more than you know in bolstering my confidence to pursue more years of singing. —Denise Konicek, MA
Too much advertising; too many whiners
Dear Editor: Many of your articles are excellent, but advertising is crowding out substance. Quotes from your website reveal a whining, resentful attitude by many singers that does not deserve publication. Why do these people stay in a business they hate?
—Name Withheld, Aurora, CO
We are grateful to our advertisers who help keep the cost of subscriptions down in a niche-of-a-niche market such as this one. Each issue has the same ad/editorial ratio. Also, it’s good to remember that the Classical Singer Community exists to support singers when they are up or when they are down. We’re glad singers are talking about these issues because talking is what brings about relief from frustration—and sometimes brings about change. —CJ
More Auditions Please
Dear Editor: I love the articles but would like more information about West Coast events and auditions. —Mary Rawcliffe, CA
Suzanne Martiny, Auditions Coordinator, contacts every company regularly. The reason there are more listings in the New York area is because there are simply more auditions in the New York area! It’s sad but true and having to travel to NY—or to the company location—is the price singers pay when they want to live outside NY. —CJ
Dear Editor: I really enjoy CS magazine. The improvements in both the website and the magazine have been great. My only comment is about the audition list. There seems to be too few professional auditions with major opera companies. I would appreciate more of these types of auditions. Keep up the great work! —William Alley, MA
Even New York managers vie to find out which companies are coming to town. Many companies will contact only a few managers and they don’t want their auditions publicized at all! We’re grateful to the companies who list their auditions and make room to hear all singers who apply. —CJ
Dear Editor: Great improvement in format. I especially derived benefits from your articles on résumé creation and tips on headshots, plus the NYC photographers’ contact information. Your “typos” are now at a minimum. On the debit side, I find your listed audition information very discouraging with the limiting stipulations. I understand why this is so but as an emerging professional I have considerable experience. Although I have sung major operatic roles in the last year, none were in major companies, so I would not be able to apply for an audition in the companies that so stipulated this reservation. —Betty Jean Rieders, PA
The companies make these stipulations so they don’t receive hundreds of résumés. This is what we list in the magazine. But if you are getting feedback from well-respected professionals that you are ready for a higher level company, you can try sending your CD to the company and asking for an audition.. Just don’t do it at the same time we list auditions in the magazine because this is when companies are flooded with materials. You might consider doing a mailing to all the pertinent opera companies, choruses and symphonies at once —CJ
Suggestions
Dear Editor: I’m always interested in more articles and jobs geared towards singers in the gray area of professional and emerging professional! I’m also quite interested in more articles for the church musician. —Name Withheld, Brooklyn, NY
Dear Editor: How does one apply to have an article published? —David Jones, NY
If someone has articles already written as you do, the procedure is to send it electronically to cjw@classicalsinger.com. If a new writer is thinking about writing an article, I ask them to first send writing samples and then we can discuss an assignment. —CJ
Dear Editor: How about an article from Dr. Oren Brown. He just did a masterclass for me at the age of 91. He has incredible energy and still sings himself. That we all would be able to use our voices throughout life!! —Diane Cushing, MA
Dear Editor: It would be very helpful to have a list of opera companies and their addresses/website. Perhaps this list could be subdivided into regular and young artist programs. —Sonja Pitsker, CA
Kudos
Dear Editor: CS is a fabulous tool in our opera program here at the Conservatory of Music, Univ. of Missouri, Kansas City. An unequalled source of useful career building informational for our students. —Richard Williams, MO
Dear Editor: Love the magazine. Terrific articles that are useful to me as a teacher of voice. Also, I enjoy your reviews of recent productions. We saw Turandot in New Jersey this past summer and your review was ‘right on’. Keep up the good work! —Trucilla Sabatino, PA
CS has discontinued its practice of doing reviews. We received a lot of complaints that a magazine dedicated to the support of singers shouldn’t be in the business of criticizing them. —CJ
Dear Editor: Some think it’s just a magazine, but I know it’s an informer, colleague, support group, friend, guide and mentor, and also a website I actually use! —Esther Moses, OR
Dear Editor: I find the information helpful and have suggested that the teachers of voice that study with me subscribe to your magazine. —Roberta Manion, WA
Dear Editor: As a vocal coach, I was truly impressed with and appreciated the articles in your October 2001 issue regarding the vocal coach and accompanist; what we should expect from singers and what they need to expect of us. I have referred many of my singers to your magazine. It is such a wonderful tool to have in one’s library. —Sarah Lockwood, MN
Dear Editor: Maintain your focus on the business aspects of classical singing. There is so little good information available! —Paul Mcllvaine, VA
Dear Editor: We have found CS to be an invaluable resource. Our recent audition notice on the website generated an overwhelming response; so large, we’ll have to schedule a second date! The only thing is, does this tell us how much work there is NOT for young singers??? —Arden Anderson-Broecking, Crystal Opera Consortium, Inc., CT
Dear Editor: I appreciate very much the nature, content and scope of articles presented, as they are informative and pertinent to the interests of classical singers and teachers of singing. I read, clip and file most articles for future reference in my teaching. Thank you for providing this valuable service. —Clifton Ware, MN
