Jury sheets and schedules

Hi folks,

Your jury sheets are posted on my door. Let me know if you'd like to discuss them. I was very pleased with everyone's work! Bravi tutti.

If you have not done so already, please send me your spring 2019 schedules immediately.

Have a great break. You've earned it!!

Final performance class

We will all meet together in HRH today. If Mr. Byrd or Dr. Mosteller is playing for you in lieu of Dr. Steele, be sure they have your music! Bring a hard copy just in case.

Juries

The jury sign-up sheets are posted on my door.  

Having worked with the Department of Theatre and especially Dr. Steele, we have come up with a schedule that works best for everyone. Please read the top page thoroughly, check your final exam schedule carefully, and THEN sign up for a jury time in pencil. If Dr. Steele is your pianist, be sure to only sign up for a time during the blocks reserved for his students. Be sure your pianist knows what you are singing for your jury.

Sometimes mistakes happen, despite our best intentions. If you have to move your time, work it out amongst yourselves.

Bring the required number of repertoire sheets to your jury, and no sheet music. I will have the jury sheets for all faculty members present, so no need to bring those. If you have any questions, please feel free to email.

And remember, we all want you to succeed. Bring your love for the music, and simply do your best. Happy final week of classes!

Voice performance class 11/30

Drs. Cho and Evans will go to the Dance studio with Mr. Byrd, who will join us in HRH when he's done. Drs. Jaworski and Hurst-Wajszczuk will be in HRH with Dr. Steele.

Looking forward to a lot of great singing!

Voice performance class

We will meet all together today, 11/16. Given the length of the sign-up list, everyone may not get a chance to sing. Hopefully, this will motivate many of you to sing earlier next semester!

Performance Class 11/9/18

We will meet all together tomorrow, 11/9/18. Please be on time--we have a very full class this week!

Voice performance class 11/2

We will all meet together in HRH this Friday, 11/2. See you then!

Voice performance class 10/19 and 10/26

Voice Performance Class will meet all together in HRH tomorrow, 10/19, and next week, 10/26.

See you then!

Performance class 10/12

As noted on the sign up sheet, will will all meet together today, and Mr. Byrd will be our pianist.

Professional vs. Amateur

From Carol Kirkpatrick, author of Aria Ready?

The important thing for you to understand is, that you are an amateur if you believe and behave like one, or you are a professional if you believe and behave as one. It’s never too early to start this process. It’s a choice you need to start considering as you move forward with your career. Even if you are a freshman in college, you must make a choice; include the idea of changing your mindset. And no one said it was going to be easy. However, it will become the path you take. So, let me lay out some of the differences:

1. 1. Amateurs stop when they achieve something. Professionals know the initial achievement is just the beginning of the journey.
   2. Amateurs have a goal. Professionals have strategies and tactics to achieve their goals.
   3. Amateurs often believe they are good at everything. Professional understand they have differing degrees of competence.
   4. Often when amateurs work with coaches/conductors they feel they are being criticized as a person. Professionals know they have weak spots and take criticism as an opportunity to get better at what they know needs work.
   5. Giving up and feeling like a failure seems to be easier for amateurs. Professionals see mistakes and failures as a path to growth and mastery.
   6. Amateurs tend to focus on the short term. Professionals always work on the long term.
   7. If things are not going well, amateurs tend to blame others. Professionals take responsibility for what they do, good or bad.
   8. Amateurs tend to be inconsistent in their practice, rehearsal and performance times. Professionals show up every day focused and ready to work, thus becoming consistent in their performance.
   9. Amateurs tend to think in absolutes. Professionals think in probabilities. 
   10. Amateurs believe that the world should work the way they want it to. Professionals realize that they must work with the world as they find it.
   11. Amateurs are scared to be vulnerable and honest with themselves. Professionals feel like they are capable of handling almost anything.

Performance class 10/5

We will all meet in HRH. See you then!

Performance class 9/28

Dr. Kris and Dr. Jaworski studios will meet in HRH, while Dr. Cho and Dr. Evans studios will meet in the dance studio on the third floor.

Thanks!

Voice performance class 9/21

All together in HRH. See you then!

Voice Performance Class 9/14

Hi folks,

We'll meet all together again today in HRH. Note that we need to choose a clinician (or at least a type of clinician) for SNATS in the spring, as budgets are due Sunday.

Thanks!

Voice Performance Class 9/7

All studios will meet together in HRH. See you then!

Performance Class locations 8/31

Hi folks,

Performance Class locations for 8/31 are:

KHW: 209 (poetry day! Remember to have one memorized poem ready to recite for class)

Dr. Cho: HRH

Dr. Jaworski: 221

Opera Birmingham chorus auditions

Hi folks,

Here is an upcoming audition of interest:

Auditions for Opera Birmingham's chorus (as well as other opportunities) will be held on September 8 & 9, 2018.  Members of the Opera Birmingham chorus perform in our productions throughout the year, and have the opportunity to participate in our Opera Shots pop-up concerts and other small performances during the season.

Audition Details

September 8 – 10am-1pm

September 9 – 2pm-4pm

Location:  Hill Opera Center, 3601 6th Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35222

Schedule an audition time using the following link: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0849AAA92FA4F49-opera1

Singers interested in auditioning should bring two classical pieces (opera, oratorio or song literature) to the audition, plus a performance resume and headshot (if you have one).  A pianist will be provided for these auditions.

Please send an email to info@operabirmingham.org if you have any questions about our auditions, or to be added to our chorus audition list, and we will send a notification when future auditions are scheduled.

Keith A. Wolfe

General Director

Thought for the week

”It is Nature who makes our artists for us, though it may be Art who taught them their right mode of expression.”

~ Oscar Wilde

You are all artists, dear students. Happy first week of class!

Lesson times

Folks,

Following are your lesson times, courtesy of Dr. Evans, who managed the lesson grid for all four of us. Be sure to show him the love for this mammoth task. CS refers to Dr. Chris Steele; RB refers to Mr. Richard Byrd. Their contact info is in an email I will send you shortly. Send them your music ASAP. If you send it to them the same day as your lesson, that is not acceptable.

Tuesday 3:25 Nick Mathes CS at 3:45 4:25 Grace Becher CS at 4:45 Wednesday 10am Ashlyn Poe CS at 10:15 10:30 Lauren Tinsley ZW at 10:45 11:10 Briana Auhing CS at 11:30 3:30 Zarien Morris CS at 3:45 Thursday 9:30 Farryn Owens RB at 9:45 11:00 Lilly Bateh RB at 11:15
3:30 Eric Campbell CS at 3:45 4:15 Michael Giddens CS at 4:45 Friday 10am Stephanie CS at 10:15 10:30 Austin Hilbert CS at 10:45 11am Eugena Babb CS at 11:15

Giddy with happiness

DARLINGS, my beloved students,

You all sent me your schedules on time! It's a first, and I'm not kidding: I'm pretty sure there has never been a semester in my 11 years at UAB that everyone met the deadline, without exception. THANK YOU for being so responsible, as this makes everyone's job so much easier. Let's keep up the professional behavior: you see how pleased I am. It makes your future employers happy, too!

Lesson times will be posted shortly. Keep your eyes on this blog.

Love y'all madly. Already.

Repertoire assignments: fall 2018

Hi folks,

Following are repertoire assignments. To those who submitted requests, thank you for being proactive! To those who didn't, no harm at all, but know that I always welcome requests. Whether or not they are honored is beside the point! Knowing what sparks your interest helps me choose material that will hopefully be enjoyable for you.

Thanks to those who have sent schedules so promptly. There are a few of you who have not yet submitted your availability. Remember that Monday is the deadline. Start the semester off right!

Plan on having one piece learned enough to work in your first lesson, even if it's just the notes. Be sure to translate everything you sing BEFORE even beginning to learn the music. If your piece is from a larger work (opera, musical, or even oratorio), know who you are, why and to whom you're singing it, and how the piece fits into the overall arc of the show. If you have taken both semesters of diction, go ahead and give foreign languages a stab, unless you're truly terrified and would rather wait. I'd love to see you give it a try if you are equipped to do so!

Once your pianist is assigned--I'll be able to relay that information once I have everyone's schedules--send both him and me a PDF of your music at least several days in advance, as we now both work from iPads. If you need help doing that, let me know.

Lilly
With him

Ashlyn
Le Colibri (Chausson)

Zarien
Evermore from Beauty and the Beast

Lauren
one of your Italian songs from the summer

Eugena
Shenandoah, arr. Liebergen (I have this arrangement if you need it)

Michael
Both Schumann you requested: we should be able to finish "Im wunderschönen..." and start the other.

Farryn
I attempt from Love's sickness to fly (Purcell)

Nick
Total eclipse from Samson (Handel)

Stephanie
Bring your music from your UAB audition (choose whatever feels most challenging for you)

Grace
Heart, we will forget him from Emily Dickenson Songs (Copland)

Eric
Warm as the autumn light from The Ballad of Baby Doe

Austin
Strike the viol (Purcell)

Briana
Der Nussbaum (Schumann)

Last performance class

We will meet all together in HRH. Don't fret: everyone should still be able to sing.

See you then.

Jury sign-up sheet posted AGAIN

Folks, per the email I sent, another jury sign-up sheet has been posted. There were several areas of confusion so I thought we'd just start over.

I removed names of folks who signed up during times that are reserved for certain teachers or majors. Please abide by the guidelines, as they exist for a reason. There are now more times for your convenience. If you have an unresolvable problem, email me.

Thanks! We'll get this sorted out.

12 Tiny Changes #12: SLEEP

Yes, I know it's the last week of class.

I also know that getting enough sleep when you're stressed is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Getting the required amount of sleep allows your brain to consolidate information, which is pretty important as you prepare for finals. It also allows your body to heal and keeps your immune system functioning. It also also the only time that hormones that control both appetite and satiation are created, so it makes a big difference in (believe it or not) your eating habits.

Aim for 7-9 hours per night. If you can't get that amount, take a short nap...but don't snooze more than 40 minutes midday, or your nighttime sleep cycle will be disturbed.

4/13 Performance Class

Dr. H-W and Dr. Evans students meet in HRH: Dr. Steele from 12:20-12:45; Mr. Bryd from 12:45-1:10

Dr. Cho and Prof. Doss students meet in Dance Studio: Mr. Byrd from 12:20-12:45; Dr. Steele 12:45-1:10

See you then!

Jury sign-up sheets

The sign-up sheet for vocal juries is posted on my door. Friendly suggestion: please read the instructions before choosing a time--trying to switch is always harder on everyone than choosing carefully the first time.

12 Tiny Changes #11: be grateful

Studies show that it isn't happy people that are grateful: it's grateful people that are happy. Remembering even the smallest pieces of our good fortune can increase our joy.

Each day, preferably right before you go to sleep, make a list of things that make you feel grateful. I keep a small journal next to my bed and write one page before going to sleep. That page fits about 6-10 items, and they vary. But every night, I find there is something that makes me count my blessings. There's even an app for that, if you want to be all high-tech about it. But I like writing it the old-fashioned way: it feels more real.

On a rough day, you might be able to only name two things. You might even only be able to say you're thankful for a bed and for making it through the day. But those are good things, regardless. I know that every day, I'm grateful for my husband, my job, our home, enough to eat...the get the picture.

During the final stretch of the semester, a little gratitude might help you keep some perspective. If nothing else, bear in mind how many people on this planet never go to college. Humbling, isn't it?

Give it a try and see if you notice a shift in your attitude over time. 

All together in HRH on 4/6/18

Hi folks,

We'll all meet together in HRH this week. Thanks!

Performance Class today 3/30

We are all together in HRH.

Tiny Change #10: Support YOURSELF

This may seem contradictory, considering how many times we've told you to reach out if you need help. I'm not saying that you shouldn't avail yourself of the doctor if you're sick, the counseling center if you need help with managing stress, or your teacher if you're having trouble in class. Do those things when you need: they are there for a reason.

I'm referring to the constant cheerleading some of us seem to need to simply do our work.

How many of you go from practice room to practice room, asking someone to listen to your work (and listening to theirs, thereby postponing work for BOTH of you), so that you can feel good enough to continue? How many of you seek counsel from each other, often repeatedly, regarding something to which you already know the answer? Often, this is an avoidance technique, when what you really need to do is just get to work.

Steven Pressfield, in my favorite book (The War of Art) puts it this way:

Seeking support from friends and family is like having people gathered around your deathbed. It's nice, but when the ship sails, all they can do is stand on the dock and wave goodbye.

Any support we get from persons of flesh and blood is like Monopoly money; it's not legal tender in that sphere where we have to do our work. In fact, the more energy we spend stoking up on support from colleagues and loved ones, the weaker we become and the less capable of handling our business.

Get to work. Don't talk about it, plan it, or fantasize with others. Leave the neuroticism at the door, and get practicing.

Voice Studio Recital Groups

Following are the groups for the Voice Studio Recital, two weeks from last night:

4pm

Lauren Tinsley: Verdi, prati

Jonathan Reynolds: Caro mio ben

Patton Lenard: Va per lo mare

Eugena Babb: Sebben, crudele

Alex Drummond: Vittoria, mio core

Michael Giddens: Lay your doubts

Austin Hilbert: Che faro senza Euridice

Eric Campbell: Bob’s Aria

Maurice Nix: Wasserflut

Gabe Knight: Die Forelle

Grace Becher: O kühler Wald

Laurel Floen: Colored Lights

Jenn Palmieri: Lost in the waves

Lilly Bateh: The beauty is

Elizabeth Forman: Fly into the Future

Savannah Faulkner: Fools fall in love

Clara Holmes: With you

Beau Boudreaux: Poisoning Pigeons in the Park

Peyton Overstreet: I could be Jewish for you

7pm

Rachel Hancock: Come and trip it

Juanita Pineda: Come again, sweet love

Arthur Beard: Deep River

Briana Auhing: The Crucifixion

Daniel Johnson: Were you there

Sabrina Lewis: Sebben, crudele

Daley Browning: Caro mio ben

Quan Patterson: O del mio dolce ardor

Ashlyn Poe: Das verlassene Mägdlein

Andrew Ellis: Nacht und Träume

Chris Farley: In der Fremde

Farryn Owens: History of wrong guys

Brooke Payne: The Human Heart

Diego Villaneuva: I’ve told every little star

Allie Nichols: A little brains, a little talent

Justine Nelson: When I look at you

Rachel Biggs: I Won't Say I'm in Love

Zachary Lampe: From this moment on

Camilla Almond: Even though