choral vs. solo singing Hi everyone!
I just can't resist commenting on some of what Isabelle wrote. (Please don't think I'm picking on you personally Isabelle!)
Isabelle B. wrote......
(And even if choral singing> isn't your long-term > career goal, if I have a choice between typing> between solo jobs and singing > in a chorus, dang if I won't take the choral work!> At least it's making a > living in your field ... or at least contributing to> your living.)
I couldn't disagree more. Let's say I can sing for three to four hours a day before getting tired. Okay, I could waste that time singing in a chorus, and then have "blown" my vocal study time for that day and not be able to practice my own repertoire when I get home... or I could take a desk job, computer job, high-tech job, during the day (which would probably pay more, even part-time) and give those three hours to my practicing in the morning or when I get home.
It's unfortunate that you consider singing in a chorus to be more of a a waste of time than working in an office. Have you ever sung in a professional chorus? Also, you really don't need to sing for three hours a day in order to practice. I have learned that by doing "non-singing" work like speaking the text, learning the markings and just basically thinking about the music, I gain a whole lot more than only working on my vocal technique.
Which singer is going to make better, more efficient vocal progress?
Do you really believe you can be that general and say that all singers will gain more from practicing voice all alone in a room for three hours than singing in a chorus? There are a whole range of valuable things that a singer can only learn from singing in a group that you just can't learn by yourself.
Yes, it's gratifying to the ego to be able to say, "I make my living singing." But I'd rather give my vocal resources -- all of them -- to the kind of work that will forward my career. ALL the singing you do should be building your voice for an opera career (if that's what you want) -- supportive roles, specific technique, practice and lessons and coachings.
I agree that if one wants to have a professional solo career, one must focus and practice towards that goal, but I know that for some, singing in a chorus can add to one's experience and not detract from it.
Okay, with allowances for spiritual replenishment. But don't throw away your daily voice time making money. What? You don't think that working in an office might wear you out just as much as working in a chorus? I've done both and I can tell you, for me the office work was pure heck!
Singing is a tough business. Lordy, ain't that the truth! But it's also a joy!
Put all your eggs in one basket! Everything should be directed toward the career goal. That one egg you put somewhere else could be the one to tip the scales in your favor. Sorry, I'll have to disagree with you on that one, Isabelle. I don't believe that one should limit themselves to just one basket. There's a world of opportunities out there and sometimes you have to try things out to find the one that's right for you!
Just my ideas about things!
Take care all,
Mary
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