Sleep well!

Folks, since we were discussing the importance of taking care of yourself, especially during stressful times, I thought I'd share these tips from Dr. Weil. Google him: he's a very interesting East-meets-West doctor. Sleep is crucial for good health, and getting sufficient rest is a habit you build over time.

• Establish a consistent bedtime routine. Take a warm bath, go for a relaxing stroll, or practice meditation/relaxation exercises as part of your regular nighttime routine.
• Try to go to bed at the same time every night, and get up at the same time each morning. This includes weekends.
• Get plenty of exercise during the day. Studies have shown people who are physically active sleep better than those who are sedentary. The more energy you expend during the day (preferable earlier in the day) the sleepier you will feel at bedtime.
• Reduce your intake of caffeine and alcohol, particularly in the evening.
• Avoid large meals late in the evening.
• Learn and use a relaxation technique regularly. Breathing exercises, meditation and yoga are good examples.
• Use "white noise" devices to block out surrounding environmental noise.
• Don't obsess about not sleeping. Not surprisingly, studies have shown that individuals who worry about falling asleep have greater trouble dropping off. It may help to remind yourself that while sleeplessness is troublesome, it isn't life-threatening.
• Short naps are good. Try to get into the habit of napping: ten to twenty minutes in the afternoon, preferably lying down in a darkened room.
• Spend some time outdoors as often as you can to get exposure to bright, natural light. If you are concerned about harmful effects of solar radiation, do it before ten in the morning or after three in the afternoon or use sunscreen.
• Try to give yourself some time (up to an hour) in dim light before you go to sleep at night. Turn off your TV, computer, iPad, and smart phone: detach from the outer world. Lower the lighting in your house and bedroom and if other members of the household object, wear sunglasses.
• The two best natural sleep aid treatments are valerian and melatonin. Valerian is a sedative herb, used for centuries. You can find standardized extracts in health food stores and pharmacies. Take one to two capsules a half hour before bedtime. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the wake/sleep cycle and other daily biorhythms. Try sublingual tablets (to be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve); take 2.5 mg at bedtime as an occasional dose, making sure that your bedroom is completely dark. A much lower dose, 0.25 to 0.3 mg, is more effective for regular use.

Performance class this Friday

Hi folks, this Friday is our first "tutti" class, so if you are asked to sing, please be sure to sign up on Dr. Mosteller's door ASAP. That allows our pianists to prepare your pieces. Thanks!

Opera schedule

Folks, the schedule is posted below in the Google Calendar section. Click on anything that says "Opera rehearsal" for details regarding call times. We'll rehearse in my office until further notice.

Please note the following: everyone, including understudies, is required to bring the musical score tomorrow (Tuesday) at 3:30 to be checked for translations. Every word from the libretto must be in your music, no exceptions. This means EVERY WORD, not just the music that YOU sing! Incomplete and/or late work not accepted. DUE AT 3:30.

Please also let me know ASAP via email if you have any obligations that conflict with the class times we discussed on Friday. Check your syllabus for details.

Following is the rough outline of our schedule, found in your syllabus:

September 3: translation to every word in the opera written in your score (5 points)

September 5: character sketches due. (2.5 points)

September 3-6: First aria coachings. Nothing incorrect. We make music now. (2.5 points)

September 10-13: Second aria coachings. Same as above: know your music COLD. (5 points)

September 17-20: Act I recitative work begins. Speak first, then sing. (5 points)

September 23-27: Act II and III recitative begins. Speak first, then sing. (5 points)

October 1-4: Act I finale. Be able to speak it in rhythm before singing it. (5 points)

October 8-10: Act II finale. Ditto. (5 points)

October 15-18: Act III finale. Ditto. (5 points)

October 22: Memorized sing through of Act I. Everything integrated we addressed. (5 points)

October 24: Sing though of Acts II and III. Ditto. (5 points)

October 25: final sing-through. May ask translation: know it without looking. (5 points)

October 28 (eve): First day in theatre. Block Act I, memorized. (2.5 points)

October 29: Continue blocking Act I, memorized. (2.5 points)

October 31: Continue blocking Act I, memorized. (2.5 points)

November 1: Continue blocking Act I, memorized. (2.5 points)

November 4 (eve): Work Act I. (2.5 points)

November 5: Begin blocking Act II, memorized. (2.5 points)

November 7: Continue blocking Act II, memorized. (2.5 points)

November 8: Continue blocking Act II, memorized. (2.5 points)

November 11: Work Act II, memorized. (5 points)

November 12: Begin blocking Act III, memorized. (2.5 points)

November 14: Finish blocking Act III, memorized (2.5 points)

November 15: Run through entire show for lighting designer, no stops (5 points)

November 16: Q to Q

November 17: Sitzprobe

November 18: Wandelprobe

November 19: Dress rehearsal #1

November 20: Dress rehearsal #2

November 21-22: Performances (5 points each)

SNATS meeting: post ideas here

Folks, I was able to secure us $800 through a last-minute request through USGA. We need to figure out how to spend it and plan for next semester. Ideas for guests or activities? Times you'd like to meet? Post here. Thanks.

Lesson Times...confirmed!

Lessons begin Monday, August 26, on the first day of class. There are only 14 weeks in the semester now, so here's the deal: if you have not registered, I cannot teach you. If I do not have your schedule, I cannot book a time for you. If you do not have a lesson this week, I will not make it up and you will receive an F for the week.

This is the plan for the coming week, though as those who have not sent schedules yet may cause some necessary rescheduling. Keep your eyes on this blog several times a DAY until things settle down. Shane: You are the only one who has not submitted your availability yet. You know what to do.

Please note the odd beginning and ending times of lesson times: this is due to university class blocks. Be aware of the off-hour timing, and come on time (if not a bit early, if you wish to take advantage of constructive rest before singing).

Bring something prepared for your first lesson: this may be an aria for opera auditions, something I have assigned, or something you'd really like to work on that we can explore together.

If you wish to have a pianist during your first lesson, email Dr. Chris Steele at csteele50@gmail.com. He is our new, full-time staff accompanist. He may or may not be your pianist for the semester, but is available for everyone this first week. Give him the respect due him by giving him your music in advance.

MONDAY
11:15-12:05 Nole (Dr. Steele)
12:20-1:10 EVERYONE...required Convocation in HRH
1:25-2:15  Johnathan (Dr. Steele)

TUESDAY
1-1:50 Jake (Dr. Steele)

WEDNESDAY
11:15-12:05 Kelsey (Chris)
12:20-1:10 EVERYONE: required meeting in my office
2:30-3:20 Shane (Dr. Steele)
3:30-4:20 Valencia (Dr. Steele)

THURSDAY
12:30-1 Coley (Dr. Steele)
1-1:50 EmKay (Dr. Steele)

FRIDAY
11:30-12 Amanda (Dr. Steele)
12:20-1:10 EVERYONE, every week...performance class (this week is in my office: poetry day. Have a memorized poem to recite and we'll discuss as a group. This is your perf. class grade for the week.)

IF YOU SEE A PROBLEM WITH THE TIME I HAVE ASSIGNED, EMAIL ME IMMEDIATELY! Thanks.

Dr. Kris Voice Studio Repertoire Assignments

These will be updated frequently: keep checking regularly. Check the library for your music first; order the music if you can second (ask me if you need help finding the correct edition); ask me to borrow it as a last resort. Time to both sharpen your research skills and increase your own personal libraries!

As always, if you don't like a piece I've assigned, let me know and we'll find something else. Come to your first lesson with something prepared.

Kelsey: Cavalli's "Delizie contente" and/or "Sento nel core" (both from Italian Arias book: there are many editions and keys available. Choose one that feels comfortable)

Amanda: Dowland's "If my complaints" or "Can she excuse" (I have good editions of these)

Shane: SEMPLICE aria(s)

Valencia: SEMPLICE aria(s)

Jake: SEMPLICE aria(s), Messiah arias

Johnathan: SEMPLICE aria(s)

EmKay: SEMPLICE aria(s)

Nole: SEMPLICE aria(s)

Fall Opera Auditions

For those of you interested in auditioning for the fall opera, Mozart's LA FINTA SEMPLICE, we will meet at 3:30 in the choir room on Tuesday, August 27 (the second day of class). During that time, you can ask questions, do a "dry run" of your audition aria if you wish (with or without me present: your choice), and learn more about the show. Auditions will be two days later, on August 29, so you'll want to come back from the summer with an audition aria ready to go! We will perform the opera in Italian, with surtitles. Audition repertoire is as follows. If you are unsure which role to prepare, please ask me for recommendations. Please also email me if you need a copy of the music.

Simone (baritone): "Troppo briga a prender moglie" or "Vieni O mio Ninetta"
Giacinta (mezzo-soprano): "Marito io vorrei"
Fracasso (tenor): "Guarda la donna in viso" or "Nelle guerre d'amore"
Cassandro (bass-baritone): : "Non c'e al mondo" or "Ella vuole ed io vorrei"
Ninetta (soprano): "Un marito, donne care" or "Sono in amore"
Polidoro (tenor): "Cosa ha mai la donna indosso"or "Sposa cara"
Rosina (soprano): "Colla bocca" or "Ho sentito"

Please note that the following arias will be cut from the opera:

Rosina: "Senti l'eco" (no. 9) and "Amoretti, che ascosi qui siete" (no. 15)
Ninetta: "Chi mi vuole ben" (no. 10)
Simone: "Con corte persone (no. 13)
Fracasso: In voi belle" (no. 20)

Possible cuts include Giacinta's "Se a maritarmi arrivo" (no. 14), or Giacinta's "Che scompiglio" (which may be reduced if not cut, due to orchestration concerns). Please do NOT bring these arias to the audition for this reason.

Sopranos, it may behoove you to bring two arias, one sung by Rosina and the other by Ninetta. You may also consider bringing one aria by Giacinta if you feel your middle voice has a warmer color, as some scores label her "soprano."

Please note that there will be an extra, non-singing role added to the show, known for now as The Housekeeper. She will function as the Narrator, and this will replace much of the recitative. Please do come to auditions to read, if you want to be involved but do not have a aria prepared.