Revitalizing Senior Voices NPM National Conference 2015 Grand

Revitalizing Senior Voices NPM National Conference 2015 Grand Rapids, MI presented by Michael Kemp July 8, 2015

Former Solution to Aging Voices!

Growing Aging Singers Concern • Significance of Seniors in Choirs • “Old” Sounding Voices • Crucial Question for Aging Singers • Word of Hope Senior Singers Can Be Solid Assets in Choirs

How I Became Involved with Senior Singer Issues • My mom’s choir • Noticing common concerns • Free voice lessons to determine solutions • Survey of seniors in my own community chorus about their vocal concerns

Common Concerns of Seniors • Running out of breath • Throat gets tight and sore • Loss of high notes • Cracking voices • Inability to project • Phlegm in the throat

Director Concerns About Aging Choir Members • “Old” Sound • Lack of Energy • Singing Flat • Wide Vibratos • Voices Sticking Out

Path to Problem Solving • Root Causes of Vocal Problems • Understanding Vocal Concepts • Path to Solving Vocal Concerns

Explaining Singing Posture

Problems Related to Posture • “Old” Sound • Diminished Energy • Muscular Stiffness • Need for Increased Warm-up Time

Explaining Breath Support

Problems Related to Breath Support • • Typical “Old” Sound Running Out/Breath Vibrato Concerns Throat Tight & Sore Lack of Agility Cracking Voices Weak Entrances Unclear Consonants

Explaining Tone Placement

Problems Related to Tone Placement • • Inconsistent Singing Flat Singing/Tuning Limited Pitch Range Loss of High Notes Projecting Low Notes Thin Sounding Vowels Feeling of Phlegm in Throat While Singing

Explaining Open Throat Singing

Problems Related to Open Throat Singing • Blending Difficulties • Lack of Richness in Tone Quality • Nasality

Most Significant Reminders for Volunteer Singers • Adjust Posture and Faces • Schwaization of all Vowels • Sing Through Final Notes • Phrase Artistically • Peripheral Listening • Stay in Sync With Director

Practicing Singing at Home • Benefits of Daily Singing at Home • Sports Comparisons • Home Vocalise for Aging Volunteers

Best Warm-ups for Seniors • Targeting Phrase Trajectory • Chord Tuning w/Solfege • Phrase Contours • Adjusting Vowels • Note Grouping • Kyrie

In Conclusion Improving senior singing motivates and enhances the choir’s sound.

Michael Kemp New book available soon: “Rejuvenating Senior Voices: Enhancing the Sound & Confidence of Mature Choirs” _______________________ Contact Michael about a Booster Shot Workshop for your choir! www. michaelkemp. org Call or text 215 -206 -6852