I have just spent the evening with Justine & Jason Bowker completing thier first album. It’s so exciting!
So watch this space for their first ever album – Enchanted.
You can hear some of the tracks on Vocaltutor Youtube. www.youtube.com/vocaltutor
Well done guys.
A big thank you goes out to the fabulous Dylan for his expertise, plus for the song which we are hoping for the second album.
The first album is covers but album two will be original music! Classic FM here we come!
As you are probably aware Vocaltutor currently have organise and produce ‘Singers of the future’ nights at the Selby Railway Club in, er Selby. The next showcases are as follows:
29th November – Featuring:
Please come along to support Vocaltutor. It FREE!
20th December 2009 – Featuring:
Kurt Turner
This showcase really should not be missed!
Dates are currently being organised for 2010 … this is where we need you!!
On the 9th January Singers of the future are extending their fabulous showcases to a new venue in Huddersfield.
This is where you come in! Vocaltutor are looking for 4 acts to perform 15 minutes each. The event will be well publicised and plenty of agents will be invited. So perfect for getting yourself spotted. Enchanted-duo.co.uk are performing as the headliners. So if you want to take part contact Vocaltutor straight away to get your name down. You just need to bring yourself and your backing tracks (ideally on minidisk) and we will do the rest.
To get involved email Vocaltutor on georgina@vocaltutor.co.uk
OneClick2 Fame would like to invite you to “1Click2Fame Performance Pod Coventry!” on 12 November at 14:00.
”Hi 1Click2Fame fan!
The performance pod is coming to Tesco Arena Coventry! For details click here……..
Book ASAP to secure your spot, they’re going fast!”.
“Record your own music video FREE!”
|
Who We Are Croydon Stagers are an amateur theatrical group based in Croydon. We perform one large scale musical each year and one smaller production. The main production takes place at the Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield Halls, Croydon. Past productions have ranged from Gilbert and Sullivan to the more challenging modern musicals such as Barnum and 42nd Street. Croydon Stagers have links with many other societies in the area and are also affiliated to NODA. The company is made up of theatrical enthusiasts from all walks of life; all ages are represented. Stagers admit members from 16 to 116! In all cases, however, new members wishing to perform with the society are required to audition. Don’t forget it’s not just acting members who are encouraged to join. Stagers are always on the look out for those who would also be more interested in the technical side of the theatre. So whether you are itching to “tread the boards” or are interested in stage management, lighting or sound, or maybe interested in becoming an Honorary Member check out our ‘Join Us’ page for more details. Our Next Production Seussical The Musical 2009 To get us kicked off in our 101st year, we will be Singing and Dancing our way through the the colorful world of Dr. Seuss, in Sussical the Musical! We will be performing this as our major production in the last week of November at the Ashcroft Theatre Croydon .. to find out more visit our Seussical Page
In addition to all this, with the all the fun we have with every show we endeavour to put on, Seussical The Musical requires 24 children between ages of 8-15 to be apart of our ever growing team of performers and dancers.
Open Auditions |
|
|
| Fancy ‘treading the boards’ this year??
Our Next Open Auditions are TBC Please see our ‘Join Stagers’ Page for further details |
|
|
| Strollin’ Stagers |
|
|
| Let US come to YOU! Our Strollin’ Stagers players are available for hire. Planning an event? Want to make it that little bit different? Why not hire Stagers? We can provide almost any type of entertainment from Old Time Music Hall, an evening of variety, Swing Shows and excerpts from popular West-End musicals. Contact us now to find out how we can make your event extra special! |
Hey Guys,
We are GO PRIMITIVE! from Rugby and are searching for a talented Singer!
All members have previous professional expierence in bands. We are looking for a male singer with a drive and passion for music, our influences range from Biffy Clyro, Alter Bridge, Breaking Benjamin, Coheed… etc – mainly Alt Rock.
To complete the lineup and start writing we need the right guy to front the band with 100% commitement and dedication as we have alot of plans for the future – is that you?
We need someone who can contribute and be as enthusiastic as we are!
So email us if you think this is right for you to arrange a try out goprimitiveuk@googlemail.com
Cheers Go Primitive
You may be an up-and-coming performer. You may be a solo artiste or in a great band. Gigs are being booked and possibly there’s a cd in the planning. You don’t mind doing a few covers but you also need new and original material to interpret in your own way. New and original songs will help you to stand out in a crowded market.
Everything-But-The-Song is the site for you. It features great new songs of all genres coming on stream all the time.
All songs have been arranged for guitar and piano; however, the songs are ideal for further arrangements in pop, soul, rock, jazz, country and western, dance, instrumentals, musicals and even karaoke.
All performers have to do to receive the lyrics, chords and mp3 audio is to give notice by email (mind4joy@hotmail.co.uk):
Exclusive rights can be bought by prior negotiation (the songs are registered with the Performing Rights Society).
Please have a listen, and get in touch if you hear something you like!
You may recall about 4 weeks ago I wrote an article on the XFactor and the audition process, advising people what it’s really like. The response from the article was huge, and so many people had no idea what really happens.
Up until now, I have not let the whole twins fiasco get to me, but Sundays XFactor was simply too much.
What the hell is going on? I will tell you what’s going on. The UK is being completely taken for a ride and is now buying into just ‘because they are famous or on XFactor’ they are good. Are you all mad!!!
Why is it John and Edward, who are undoubtedly entertaining but have no vocal talent whatsoever have stayed on the show for so long? I tell you why! Money. XFactor is about making as much money as possible and making good TV. Who actually thought it was about talent? If you did, you are bonkers!
‘Jedward’ as they are now being named are actually very entertaining but do they have talent? Quite a lot of the UK seems to think so. Or is it that people really are cottoning onto the fact XFactor is a farce and want to see what would happen if Jedward won the show! Oh blimey wouldn’t that be funny.
The main issue I have, does not really have anything to do with the money side of XFactor or the exploitation, it’s the fact real talent is being forgotten. I work with hundreds of wonderful singers all over the UK, and great songwriters. Who write and sing truly from the heart. They don’t write or sing to sell records; they do it because they love it and want others to enjoy music too.
Having spoken to one of my vocaltutor associate teachers this week about it, he felt that XFactor is actually beginning to stop singers and writers believe in themselves. This is NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!!
Why do we love music? Because it inspires us, it takes up to another place, just for a moment, so we forget our problems. What is this XFactor rubbish? Please tell me what you think via my blog.
So do we think that John and Edward will win? We will have to wait and see. Part of me says, I really do hope not, and the other part of me says, why not! Let’s see them get a number one with the twins and an album. It won’t last. Fake talent never does.
Every day I believe more in what Malcolm Maclaron (Sex pistols Manager) once said to me, ‘all music today is karaoke. There is no integrity.’
Feel free to write to me here. Or go to my blog for more news, competitions and debate. http://wordpress.com/vocaltutor
1-2-1 Singing lessons available all of the UK – www.vocaltutor.co.uk
n
Wanted: Singing Teachers
Employer: Surbiton High School
Location: Surrey
Applications are invited to join Surbiton High School, a selective highly successful over-subscribed, independent school.
The successful candidate will be: • enthusiastic • inspirational • well-qualified
The two positions available are:
Singing Teacher – 1 day per week from 5 January 2010
Singing Teacher (maternity cover) – 3 days per week from 23 February 2010 For an application form and further information, please visit our website, www.surbitonhigh.com Singing Teachers (Peripatetic)
Required for January 2010 and February 2010
Closing date: mid-day 6 November 2009
Interview date: w.c. 16 November 2009
Surbiton High School Surbiton Crescent Kingston upon Thames Surrey KT1 2JT
www.surbitonhigh.com Tel: 020 8546 5245 Fax: 020 8547 0026 Email: josie.o’reilly@surbitonhigh.ucst.co.uk
High School is a member of the United Church Schools Trust, Charity Number 1016538
Wanted: Singing Teacher/Piano Teacher
THE WREKIN OLD HALL TRUST LTD Independent Co-Educational Day and Boarding Schools for 4-18 years old Required for January, 2010 Singing Teacher (2 days per week) To lead the teaching of singing and to support the choral work within this college. Piano Teacher (initially 1 day per week) For further information and application form, please contact: The Director of Music, Wrekin College, Sutherland Road, Wellington, TF1 3BH Telephone 01952 265625 or email: music@wrekincollege.ac.uk
College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Registered Charity No: 528417 Closing Date: 9th November
Employer: St Mary’s School Ascot
Location: Berkshire
Start Date: Immediate
Contract: Permanent part-time position
Independent Roman Catholic Girls’ boarding school for 370 girls, age 11-18; 110 in sixth form, GSA member
REQUIRED FOR IMMEDIATE START
A vacancy exists for an enthusiastic and committed peripatetic music teacher of singing to contribute to a thriving music department with superb facilities. One day’s teaching per week is expected starting immediately.
Further details of the post and application forms are available from: Nicola MacRobbie, St Mary’s School, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 9JF. Tel: 01344 293600 Fax: 01344 873281 E-mail: recruitment@st-marys-ascot.co.uk.
A letter of application, completed application forms and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three referees (including the current or latest employer) should be sent to:
Mr David Andrew, Director of Music, St Mary’s School, Ascot, Berks SL5 9JF to arrive by Monday 9th November 2009. Interviews will take place in school during the week beginning Monday 16th November.
St Mary’s Ascot is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Criminal Records Bureau
Few singers practice their microphone technique enough, which results in some fantastic voices being overlooked due to poor sound quality or bad technique when performing live. How do you prevent this without the aid of a sound engineer or years of experience? Simple! – Practice makes perfect and if you have the facilities to set up a P.A. and tape recorder at home or use a rehearsal studio you have a distinct advantage!! Even if you don’t have this equipment, you can still experiment with amplified sound by using your home stereo or karaoke machine and a microphone. The quality may be extremely poor and muffled (depending on how good the system), but you should still be able to get a basic idea of microphone positioning and distance with a little practice.
Obvious points to remember when using amplification of any kind:
Hiding Faults
Microphones can be used effectively to hide as well as enhance singer’s faults. One of the most common techniques used to hide a lack of sustained breath control is to hold the microphone away from you when starting a sustained note and bringing it closer to the mouth as the note diminishes. To the audience the note appears to maintain its volume, although it is important to keep on pitch and not attempt to hold the note for longer than is comfortable! The distance and placement of the microphone also affects the sound and tone of the voice as heard by the listener. Some microphones are designed to pick up sound from any direction, (known as Omni-directional) others are designed to pick up sound from a limited area.
Vocal Effects
Using a microphone allows the singer to employ various vocal effects to enhance a recording or performance including: adjusting airflow through the nose, opening the throat to provide more resonance, glottal attack, soft-palate edge (with vibration of the uvula), good enunciation and diaphragmatic pulsation (like a pant).
Avoiding Pops & Hisses
Certain consonants create sounds that when electrically amplified become abrasive or detract from the intended effect. B’s & P’s can sound over-exaggerated causing a ‘pop’, whilst the natural sibilance of C, S & Z can produce a hissing sound. These are problems that can be avoided by using a combination of correct diction and microphone technique. When using a microphone for the first time, the natural instinct is to place it right in front of your mouth, but with today’s technology, most microphones are extremely sensitive and capable of picking up sound from any direction. Moving the microphone further from your mouth, angling it to one side or lowering the microphone and angling it more towards the ceiling will lessen the sensitivity by just enough to prevent the pops and hisses; the adjustment can be quite fine depending on the EQ & gain settings plus equipment type and quality. Common Problems with Microphones Despite improvements in technology, Radio microphones can be the cause of many a singer’s nightmare with mini cab or police transmissions blasting out over the speakers, or cut outs and dodgy batteries causing distortion. Small microphones attached to clothing can easily work loose causing loss of sound and even hand held radio mic’s left on while backstage can pick up discussions or noises that you would rather remain private! Even the humble lead microphone if left on in a stand will pick up footsteps or other loud vibrations from the stage and floor. If using a radio microphone, always check the batteries before use, keep a couple of spare batteries handy, make sure aerials or leads are not twisted or bunched up and have a lead microphone available in your kit bag for emergencies. Switch off all microphones during breaks or when not in use.
Which Microphone?
Everyone has their own personal preference, but Omni-directional microphones are pretty common for live work and although they lack the sensitivity of some other microphones, they have the advantage of being robust and capable of picking up sound from any direction. There are lead and wireless versions, both of which can be hand-held or placed on a stand. Head-set mics are useful for dancers or singers who want to have complete freedom of movement but are ‘fixed’ in front of or to one side of the mouth, this means that the singer is unable to manipulate the microphone. Before purchasing a microphone it is worth trying out several types. A microphone that makes one singer sound great can make another sound bassy or tinny and although this may be due in part to the EQ settings or effects used, it can also be due to the microphone response. Most recording studios carry several microphones to cater for all types of vocalist; singer/songwriters may find that purchasing a microphone for ‘live’ performance and one for ‘recording’ solves a few clarity problems. Vocaltutors favourite is the Shure SM58.
Georgina Hill-Brown, Vocaltutor Founder and Principal Teacher – 1-2-1 Singing Lessons
