We are very excited to bring you the first issue of CLASSICAL SINGER MAGAZINE (formerly The New York Opera Newsletter), covering a topic which has been asked over and over: “Does a singer have to live in New York?” For 11 years, we’ve been helping singers get their careers started and their complicated lives sorted out. We are now in 45 states and 8 foreign countries, and it’s wonderful to get letters from subscribers who started their careers with us years ago, who are now singing all over the world in part because of the help they got here.
We have always known there was more to be done, however. With the opening of the website and switch to Periodical Rate mail, allowing for more complete coverage of the world of singers, it is now possible to unite singers and their support teams with WORLDWIDE information, networking and support. There are major problems in the world of the professional singer, and we believe that CLASSICAL SINGER and the website, are the first steps in connecting singers. Working together, we can begin to make needed changes.
Please make sure you get registered on the Worldwide Classical Singer Directory at www.classicalsinger.com. You do not need to be a subscriber or to have Internet access to do this. If the Internet is still Greek to you, call our office and we’ll send you out a paper form to fill out! This Directory will allow you to be located by decision-makers, colleagues and audiences in a safe manner. There is no charge for this service.
These changes are only phase one. We are very aware of the mandate you have given us, and we will keep working to find ways to meet your needs.
Last month we introduced our new Advertising Director, Nathan T. Christopher—and you can see what an impact he has had by looking over the new ads this month. This month, we’d like you to meet Emily Brunson, our new Senior Editor. She has just joined us after finishing her doctoral work at Texas Tech University. She has a beautiful soprano voice (we hear snatches now and then in the office!), and sang in Zürich for several years, but has always loved writing. She finally decided to become a writer/singer instead of a singer/writer! Her humor and writing skills are a wonderful addition to the staff.
We hope you enjoy this issue. If something you read here gets you thinking, please go to the forum at http://www.classicalsinger.com/forum and let your colleagues know your thoughts. We finally have a safe place to talk —CJ Williamson, Editor
