Originally posted on Facebook.

                             

GAITHER VOCAL BAND HOMECOMING 2014

For the first time ever, I attended a wonderful night of gospel music, and was not disappointed!  I had seen the Gaither Vocal Band on television,  as well as many other groups and soloists under the legendary Bill Gaither music umbrella, and decided to see them live when they made a rare West Coast appearance at the Citizen’s Bank Arena in Ontario last Saturday.  I am always attracted to great voices no matter what the musical genre, and this concert was chock full of them!  Besides the fantastic Vocal Band, special guests included two southern Gospel family singing groups, the Martins, and the Isaacs.  Incredible voices and harmonies!  I especially loved the force-of-nature fireworks delivery of the Martins, and the heart-tugging purity of the Isaacs’ Buegrass/Appalachian influences.  There were terrific soloists as well–  the powerhouse mezzo-soprano Angela Primm,  mellow basso-profondo Gene McDonald, and lilting soprano Charlotte Ritchie.  Notable Vocal Band standouts are the newly-added Adam Crabb, and for sheer vocal beauty and power, my favorite, veteran Wes Hampton.

As great as the singing was, it was a disappointment to see only four live instrumentalists on the stage.  They were supplemented by quite a bit of prerecorded music, and at times it got way too loud, a problem that seems to plague all concerts these days.  But, the consistently high level of spectacular singing, the gentle humor and repartee between songs, the heartfelt commitment of all the singers to the expression of the lyrics— all totally outweighed these drawbacks.  And– what a long show!  After more than two hours of continuous performance, I thought the show was over.  But– it was only intermission!

The second half found all the artists on the stage, for what felt like an old-time tent revival of even more gospel singing.  Inspiring musically, vocally and spiritually, this was a night not to be missed!  The lesson here– take a chance on something new.  You can come away with a new appreciation for a genre of music that you never considered before, and beyond that, realize that there are great singers and great singing to be found in just about every genre of music!

 

 

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Looking for a Christmas gift for that hard-to-buy-for someone?   Give the gift of music!  See below for more information…

 

 

The Summer Vocal Recital has been temporarily postponed.  Please check back in the future for more information and a reschedule date.

Thank you!

 

     STUDENTS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE…

  SAVE THE DATE!

 

Nadia Smelser Vocal Studio invites you to sing in:

 

 

SUMMER VOCAL RECITAL

 

Sunday, July 28, 2013

 

2:30 p.m.

 

Newport Harbor Lutheran Church

 

Newport Beach, CA

 

(Dress Rehearsal Saturday,

 

July 28, 3 p.m.)

 

 If you would like to participate and want more information, please use the Contact Form on this website.

 

 

 

This is one of the best diagrams I’ve seen depicting the feeling of sympathetic resonance for the singer.  As I always say to my students, you never want to feel the voice in the throat– it starts in your head, it sings in your head, it leaves from your head.  You may feel vibration in the chest in the lower pitches, but keep your attention at mouth level at the lowest.  This will keep you from using undue pressure in the lower range, a common problem for many singers.

      HealthRHYTHMS!

 

 

    

A Master Class is an opportunity to watch a voice teacher work with a student in front of a class or audience, thereby not only directly helping the singer who is receiving the coaching, but indirectly helping the singers in the audience, who learn by observation.   The best Master Classes are informative, entertaining, and inspiring.  Don’t miss a chance to attend one in your area– you’ll be amazed at how much you can learn– watch, listen, take notes, and take what you’ve learned back into your own practice.  Chances are, what helped that singer in the master class could help you, too!

TORGGLER SUMMER VOCAL INSTITUTE
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
July 7-21, 2013

The application deadline has been extended to April 15!

(The Manhattan Transfer, above)

As a participant in the Torggler Summer Vocal Institute you will explore the many styles and repertoires of vocal music, connect with the finest vocal artists and teachers, and discover your talent and interests in the vocal arts. Your time at the institute will be filled with lessons, master classes, workshops, and performances designed for your future as a vocal artist.

Featured artists and teachers include: The Manhattan Transfer, Janice Siegel, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ben Heppner, and Costanza Cuccaro.

For more information, visit the website:
tsvinstitute.cnu.edu

Pacific Opera Project is one of several “boutique” southern California opera companies presenting innovative versions of mainstream opera repertoire, all for an affordable ticket price. Appealing to both seasoned opera-goers and first-timers alike, Pacific Opera Project is breathing new life into a time-honored medium, attracting a whole new generation of opera lovers…

Go to www.pacificoperaproject.com for showtimes and ticket purchase information