Release your Voice

With her many years of experience, Barbara enables singers of all levels to address problems of tired, tense, undeveloped or unsteady voices. She helps to correct the habits that can interfere with free-flowing, natural singing, using breathing, posture, articulation and resonance exercises. This is essentially a vocal technique, rather than a repertoire course, but there will be some simple ensemble singing to begin applying new-found skills. Please be sure to wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a small hand mirror and a mat or old towel to lie on - some posture and breathing exercises are easier to do on the floor (but not essential for those who prefer not to). This course is for anyone wishing to revive, strengthen or simply awaken their voice, and gain more confidence to sing with ease. It is suitable for all standards, both experienced and inexperienced singers - there’s always room for improvement!

We will cover posture, breathing, articulation, resonance, versatility, extending vocal range, simple ensemble singing.

By the end of this course, you will:

• Gain some detailed understanding of how the vocal mechanism works.
• Loosen up the vocal musculature.
• Connect your breath to your voice with more precision.
• Feel more freedom and flexibility in your singing.

- Working as a whole group.
- No prior preparation required.
- No written work.
- Ongoing informal tutor feedback.
- Participants encouraged to give peer feedback if they feel comfortable doing so.

All levels. No previous courses needed. Ability to read music is helpful, but not a prerequisite.

Music will not be provided in advance, but will be provided by the tutor on the course.

Tutor will provide exercise hand-outs to take away and ensemble music to borrow during the course.

Participants will need to bring:

- A yoga-style mat or old blanket/towel to lie on for some breathing exercises (not compulsory if lying on the floor is a problem).

- Loose, comfortable clothing – you may prefer to wear trousers for the session on the floor.

- A small hand mirror.

- A notebook and pencil if participants want to make their own notes.