Acting in Plays, Singing/Maturity

Advertisement

Expert: - 1/11/2009


Question
Hello, Sean.

I am 15 years old and although I currently sing soprano in my choir, by choral director told me that he would have placed me as a mezzo (if there weren't already too many).  I have a range from low F to high E.  

Recently I wanted to audition for a local choral company, but since I wouldn't be 16 by the first performance, they would not let me audition.  At the time I had just turned 15.

They said that since I wasn't 16, my voice wouldn't be mature enough to handle some of the music that they would do.  The semester's piece was Brahm's Requiem in English.  

My question is if being a certain age and singing difficult pieces can actually hurt your voice.  Is it definite for everyone?  Or should they hear a person before assuming that it's not healthy for him or her sing the piece.  I have heard some of the Requiem and I don't see how it is all that much harder than what I do at school almost every day.

Thank you.

Kelly

Answer
Hi, Kelly –

Thank you for the question.

Check out my review of Telarc's recent release:
CD – BRAHMS: Ein Deutsches Requiem
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17012

There are no fast and easy answers to your question, nor is every situation the same with identical or similiar repertoire.  The fact is, Brahms' German Requiem is among the great masterpieces of choral music.  No matter the language of the text, the Requiem requires far more than just hitting the notes on time.  It demands the best trained musicians that can possibly be assembled.  I have no doubt the Director of your community chorus appreciates both your enthusiasm and interest.  I'm sure you will be remembered a year from now when you are eligible to audition.

Here's what to do between now and then.

Drill your Music Theory.  Get the workbook edited by John Brimhall.  You must know how to explain and interpret every last note, tempo and expression marking, key signature, etc., between now and a year from now.  Order the CD from the link in my article.  Listen to other such compositions, i.e., the Requiem of Gabriel Faure.  While you're at it, study the mezzo-soprano repertoire in other concert material.  Click on or paste the URL below to order an exquisite recording from Telarc of Brahms' "Alto Rhapsody" featuring Maryilyn Horne:

BRAHMS: Alto Rhapsody
http://www.amazon.com/Brahms-Rhapsody-Gesang-Parzen-Schicksalslied/dp/B000003CV2...

Also, sign up for a course in German 101 (Italian or French 101) or go to your local library for available CDs in language instruction.

Start your campaign right now.  Do something about it everyday.  Learn no less than 12 art songs – in four different languages – for your eventual audition.  Know how to demonstrate scales throughout your range.  There is a ton of beautiful Classical repertoire for you to explore.  Not all of the mezzo soprano repertoire will appeal to you right now.  But some of it will make you melt.  Find recordings of other mezzos singing the same thing.  Listen and compare.  Again, learn how to work the Library system and save your money.

I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco.  To book an appointment, contact me through Craig's List – http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/993570683.html
I am also the fine arts critc for SanFranciscoSentinel.com.  All my articles and interviews provide a link to my personal e-mail.

Take a look at my You Tubes:

Lorena Feijóo - A Look at "Giselle" with Seán Martinfield
SAMSON & DELILAH – Meet Seán Martinfield
CA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES – A Preview Look with Seán Martinfield

Below are links to recent articles and reviews:
TCHAIKOVSKY’S SYMPHONY NO. 5 – This week at Davies Symphony Hall and Flint Center
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18757

SAN FRANCISCO BALLET – Opening Night Gala, Wednesday, January 21st
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18716

A.C.T. PRESENTS – RICH AND FAMOUS
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18725

CD – THE FOUR SEASONS – Telarc Introduces Violinist Christina Day Martinson
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18684

FALSETTOS – Begins Thursday January 8th At Theatre Rhinoceros
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18550

SAN FRANCISCO BOYS CHORUS – WILL SING AT THE INAUGURATION OF BARACK OBAMA
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18330

NEW YEAR’S EVE – MARIN MAZZIE & JASON DANIELEY At the SF Symphony Concert
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18338

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY – The Results of Fiscal Year 2008
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18276

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – The Audited Financial Results, 2007–08
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18211

CD Review – COOLSIDE OF YULETIDE
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18078

DAVID CONTE’S GIFT OF THE MAGI – Receives West Coast Premiere
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=18047

BRIAN PATTERSON – Local Hunk In Bay Area Premiere of ZANNA, DON’T
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17927

THE NUTCRACKER – Now At San Francisco Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17896

MICHAEL BISHOP, Sound Engineer – Grammy Nomination for LA BOHÈME
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17846

CD – LA BOHÈME, Grammy Nomination for Sound Engineer Michael Bishop
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17846

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA – What Becomes A Legend Most
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17798

LEONARDO DA VINCI – Drawings on display at the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17772

AUSTRALIA – For Baz Luhrmann, There’s No Place Like Home
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17716

MILK – A Magnificent Film
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17658

HILARY HAHN – This week at the San Francisco Symphony
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17626

AS BEES IN HONEY DROWN – New Conservatory Theatre Center buzzing sweetly for the Holidays
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17580

LA BOHÈME – Now at SAN FRANCISCO OPERA through December 7th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17542

TONY CURTIS – LIVE! At The Castro Theatre, Tuesday Night
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17474

YVES SAINT LAURENT – Haute Couture Fashions Now at the de Young Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17349

CHRISTINE ANDREAS – A Conversation with Beautiful Broadway and Cabaret Star
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17442

CD Review – REVOLUTIONARY, Cameron Carpenter, Organist
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17408

LA BOHÈME – Opens Sunday Afternoon, November 16th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17390

AFGHANISTAN – HIDDEN TREASURES FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM, KABUL, Now at the Asian Art Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17320

THE ELIXIR OF LOVE – It’s Happy Hour At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17279

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA – Lon Chaney Silences SF Symphony For Halloween Night, Friday at 8:00
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17181

CARNEGIE HALL OPENING NIGHT – Tonight on PBS’ GREAT PERFORMANCES
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17164

SAMUEL RAMEY IS BORIS GODUNOV
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17140

CD – BRAHMS: Ein Deutsches Requiem
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=17012

IDOMENEO – Star Treatment For Mozart Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65

CD – DAS LIED VON DER ERDE: Superb Live Recording by Stuart Skelton and Thomas Hampson
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16897

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW – Ray of Light Theatre Begins New Season October 17th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16805

EMANUEL AX – Renowned Pianist Appears with San Francisco Symphony October 9th – 11th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16700

A BRONX TALE – At the Golden Gate Theatre through October 19th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16594

DIE TOTE STADT - A BAD HAIR DAY IN THE DEAD CITY
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16512

BONESETTER’S DAUGHTER – New Opera Stands Alone
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16321

THE WOMEN – NOT WHO YOU ARE EXPECTING
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16231

SPRING AWAKENING – A Breath Of Fresh Air, Now At The Curran
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16219

CORKY'S HOT ICE – Latest Bling In Gay Cinema
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16287

SIMON BOCCANEGRA – WASHES ASHORE FOR OPENING NIGHT AT SAN FRANCISCO OPERA
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=16116

TOM ORR – A Conversation with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15981

THE MIKADO – Opens 56th Season of The Lamplighters Music Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15390

BERNADETTE PETERS – A Triumph In San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15150

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE – Detours Ahead
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=15107

JENNIFER SIEBEL – A Conversation with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=6361

SAN FRANCISCO SILENT FILM FESTIVAL – At the Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14576

NORMA SHEARER in “MARIE ANTOINETTE” – At the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=8783

Best regards,
Seán Martinfield

Acting in Plays, Singing

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Sean Martinfield

Expertise

I am a professional vocal coach in San Francisco. In addition to answers from a previous web site (Askme.com - where my "tag" was "VocalCoach") I have published over 2000 responses related to vocal training - particularly as it relates to Musical Theatre and Opera. I have 24 years of experience as Personal Trainer to singers and actors in the San Francisco Bay Area. I sang professionally for 20 years and know what it means to live the life of a musician. I can determine your voice category, i.e., Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Alto Belter, etc., and how to broaden and strengthen your range. Need an audition song for a Broadway Musical? I will give you suggestions that are appropriate to your vocal category and to requirements specified in the audition notice. I have also created a vocal methodology, "The Belter`s Method". It will enable those in Musical Theatre to practice more efficiently because it focuses on the demands of professional performers as well as to those auditioning for school and community productions, and as University and Conservatory performing arts majors. If what you want is a better voice and more control over your career moves and choices, contact me. Also, as the Editor of SanFranciscoSentinel.com, it is my privilege to review productions at the San Francisco Opera, Ballet and Symphony, as well as Broadway National Tours booked into San Francisco's Orpheum, Golden Gate and Curran Theatres. I also review works by A.C.T (the American Conservatory Theatre) and Magic Theatre. I cover select films, tributes and retrospects, and various international film festivals – particulary those booked into The City's opulent Castro Theatre – including the LGBT Frameline Festival, International Film Festival, Silent Film Festival, Jewish Film Festival, etc. For private vocal instruction, I can be contacted through SanFranciscoSentinel.com. Look under: Seán Martinfield, Sentinel Editor and Publisher.

Experience

As a vocal coach, I work primarily with singers and actors throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. My students range from absolute beginners to working professionals, from pre-schoolers to senior citizens. The vast majority of my clients come to me through recommendation. I know how to identify any singer's vocal category, i.e., soprano, tenor, alto, baritone, etc. I know how to muscle-up every singer's vocal range and to expand it beyond conventional definitions. I have developed a vocal methodology for those who want to know how to belt, THE BELTER'S METHOD. As a singer who spent half of his career doing Bel Canto, I know that classical or Italian methodologies do not work in Standard American music. Bel Canto cannot be "adapted" to meet the needs of contemporary American music, including the demands of the Musical Theatre. There are a number of major components to my work as a vocal coach. The first is to identify the client's vocal category and to strengthen and maximize the vocal range accordingly. Then it's about teaching a reliable vocal workout that will enable the client to gain better control of their musicianship. That includes scale work to expand the vocal range and to improve placement, breath control, and diction. Then we work on material for the audition portfolio, the immediate job or assignment, a recording session, etc. My task to is to better equip singers and actors who are hoping to or relying upon their performance skills and vocal endurance to maintain a career in the Performing Arts. My clients regularly appear in cabarets and musical productions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Some have worked in New York and gone on National Tours. For more information, Contact me at: Broadwaybelters@yahoo.com

Education/Credentials
San Francisco State University – BA in Theatre Arts; graduate work in Theatre, Philosophy, and Comparative Reiligion. Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley – Graduate work in Ethics

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.