Dear CS: I need to call your attention to an inaccuracy in your otherwise very touching story about Barry McCauley in the December issue. Michael Devlin is quoted as saying, “It is yet another reminder that there is no safety net for someone at our level. There’s no union backing.” While that statement is no doubt what Devlin told you, he is factually inaccurate. When McCauley became sick, AGMA President Linda May advised Devlin, on more than one occasion, about the resources available through AGMA from both the AGMA Relief Fund and the Actors Fund. She told him that AGMA would assist Barry’s family with obtaining such assistance and that, if the family consented, Devlin could himself approach the Relief Fund directly on Barry’s behalf. Although neither Devlin nor the McCauley family asked for such assistance, AGMA was in fact ‘there for Barry’ as we are here to assist any member in need of help. While it is understandable that, in retrospect, Devlin may have forgotten about this offer, I didn’t want the inaccurate statement about our failure to support McCauley to go uncorrected. —Alan S. Gordon
Executive Director AGMA
Dear CS: Your articles and advertisements are important to every singer who is serious about opera or recital. —George Vassos
Voice Dept. Head
Cleveland Institute of Music
Dear CS: It gets better and better. I keep the magazine in my studio waiting room and for my students and parents to read. Your listing of auditions and awards has excited my younger singers. —Mary Lou Muratoes
Birmingham, NY
Dear CS: I enjoy the fact that you tackle controversial issues. Keep it up. I would suggest longer, more in-depth articles. We will read them! Your magazine is an assertive tool in my studio. Good articles on controversial subjects and an audition section that makes everyone’s job easier. Students often arrive early just to read it. —Elizabeth Daniels
Silver Spring, MD
Dear CS: The letters in your magazine tend to be from pathetic whiners who take little responsibility for their condition which usually proves to be failures. Often, suggestions to these sad souls come from people as equally on the track of futility. The singer is responsible for his acceptability as a paid performer. He or she is also responsible if continuing with an incompetent voice teacher or repertoire coach. Those who take the responsibility are too busy to write such letters. 53 years of teaching has shown me that much!
—William Carey
Hudson, NH
I don’t know what letters you are talking about but, personally, I cheer singers who are reaching out for help. I would worry about singers or teachers who were too busy to offer such help. The whole mission of CS is to connect the two.
—Editor
Dear CS: You’ve grown! You’ve improved! And you have inspired improvement in others, especially Opera News! I wish I could imagine that I still had a chance at a career… well, I wish you had been around 25-30 years ago! —Marion Leeds Carroll
Arlington, MA
Dear CS: I love your magazine! It’s full of useful information. I would like to see America escape its dependence on the NEA and government in general. In the long run, social engineering and centralized control benefit no one, least of all those they purport to help. —Catherine Nazarene
Mt. Airy, MD
Dear CS: Your publication is a MUST for any professional singer on any level in any genre. The subscribers have wonderful questions and input, and your contributors give pertinent information which I can actually use. Classical Singer separates the singers from the hobbyists and gossips.
—Name withheld
Huntington Beach, CA
Dear CS: Your magazine provides a very important meeting ground for classical singers.
—Name withheld, Seattle, WA
Dear CS: I do not like the way the audition listings are organized now at all. The old way was much easier to read because it went by category. It saved a lot of time. Otherwise, it’s great. —Name withheld,Clifton, NJ
Dear CS: I appreciate the articles your magazine presents on vocal health. Is it possible to get more information on NSAIDS and how they affect the voice? —Jacqueline Ekstrom
Alexandria, VA
I will send your question, and your compliment, to Dr. Jahn. —Editor
Dear CS: Classical Singer is a very informative magazine. I have especially enjoyed the special features and Dr. Anthony Jahn’s articles, which have been very helpful to me.
—Audrey Miller NY, NY
Dear CS: I think it would be good to have an article about eating disorders and singers. I would be more than willing to talk about it. I am a recovered anorexic/bulemic and I am now healthier than ever. There are many singers out there that have an eating disorder. —Name withheld
Woodside, NY
Great idea and thank you for being so open about it. I have withheld your name, however, because I am very protective of singers and their careers. I don’t know your career stage or age but it is important to keep your privacy on personal issues like this when it comes to opera. The opera world is very small and you want to make sure you are being judged on your singing alone! I think an article on this topic needs to be covered, since singers are under so much pressure to be thin. We’ll be in touch.
—Editor
Dear CS: I love Classical Singer. It’s great.
—Naomi Lopin, NY, NY
Dear CS: I love your magazine! Keep it up!
—Christopher Austin, Harleysville, PA
