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To: The Vocalist List
From: Yvonne Dechance
Subject: Re: Auditioning new students
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Randi asked why terms like "teacher-shopping" and "auditioning" (as in
auditioning
the teacher) should put off or annoy a voice teacher. I didn't say they
should, just that they do anger many teachers, and why unwittingly offend a
potentially marvelous teacher? Voice teachers are human too, and a little
tact never hurt anyone trying to find a new teacher.

As for university programs spending "too much time spent on
learning literature in one lesson per week and not enough time on getting the
voice together," this is not always the case. Nor is this phenomenon
limited to the university studio. Teachers and students are responsible for
the content of lessons, be the lessons private or in a college/university
setting. Some teachers focus more on technical instruction than others.
Some teach technical skills through specific exercises, while others prefer
to teach techniques through the repertoire. Some teachers downplay
technique and function more as interpretive coaches. These are individual
choices that may vary from teacher to teacher, or from how a single teacher
handles different students. The students play many vital roles in the
process, one of which is how well (not necessary just how much) they
practice. As a teacher, it doesn't matter what I'd like to cover in a
lesson, if the student walks in completely unprepared to grasp the concept,
attempt the skill, or perform their repertoire. But if a singer walks in
with their assignments prepared and an enthusiastic attitude, we generally
get far more accomplished during that lesson than I had in mind when they
walked through the door.

I happen to maintain a strong emphasis on learning technique over just
learning a bunch of songs. Some of my students will attest to this with
their groans of "When do I get to the Music?" I live for the day in their
artistic lives when they realize that the technical work is just as much
the Music as the songs they sing. If you've mastered the Tools, it's a lot
easier to master the Tunes.

Just one voice teacher's opinion.

_Dr. Yvonne Dechance
Email: aleatory-at-sj.znet.com, webmaster-at-nats.org
Homepage: http://www.vocalist.org/dechance
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