In Unison

Out and About

2010-01-28T12:22:00.013-05:00

Singers Forum students and faculty aren't sleeping on the job this upcoming week. You can catch our talented singers, pianists, and directors in productions all over New York City!

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
28 to 30 January, 3 to 6 February, 8:00 PM
30 January, 3 & 6 February, 2:00 PM
31 January, 3:00 PM 2 & 7 February, 7:00 PM
Walter Kerr Theatre
SF teacher Bradley Dean features as Frid, manservant to Madame Armfeldt (Angela Lansbury). Hardly anyone escapes the complications of romance in this Broadway musical comedy, which throws a group of zany characters together at a country estate and tests their professed devotions against their true feelings. The show also features Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Leigh Ann Larkin as Frid's love interest, Petra.
Photo: Leigh Ann Larkin and Bradley Dean take a bow at opening night, broadwayworld.com

ANOTHER TIME, ANOTHER TUNE
30 January, 7:30 PM
The Metropolitan Room
Joel Ginn takes the stage in his debut at the Metropolitan Room, under the direction of SF teacher Eric Michael Gillett. SF coach Erich Rausch is musical director for Ginn's evening of American classics from an era when "the simplest melodies helped carry our great nation through the turbulent events of the first half of the 20th century". Ginn rehearsed the show at Singers Forum's studios and it sounded pretty darn good! If the recession has put a cramp on your style, catch his performance on Saturday night: it's only a $20 cover and a two-drink minimum. Heritage Productions presents the show, which features Matt Wigton on bass and Tony Jefferson on drums.
Photo: Joel Ginn, metropolitanroom.com

BEAUTY SHOP STORIES
31 January, 6:00 PM
Cornelia Street Café
SF coach David Shenton is music director for this delightful evening of comedy and music with the Chelsea Hotel's Fay Lane. Lane promises "the glittered-up memories of a Green Bean Queen in bedazzling story and song!" Features a guest appearance by Jay Rogers.
Photo: Fay Lane, left, corneliastreetcafe.com

CABARET CARES 3
31 January, 7:00 PM
The Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Café
SF student Raissa Katona Bennett, veteran of Broadway shows and national tours including productions of The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, and Parade, presents an encore of her acclaimed show "Raissa at Feinstein's". This eagerly-anticipated performance benefits Help Is on the Way Today, a charity that assists children and teens with HIV and AIDS. Bennett will feature some of her beloved renditions from her Feinstein's show alongside a new song written specifically for the benefit by Tony-Award-nominated composer Michael John LaChiusa, known for such Broadway productions as The Wild Party and Marie Christine. SF teacher Eric Michael Gillett directs and also features as a special guest! Joseph John Productions presents, Mark Janas is the musical director and arranger, and the show also features Sean Harkness on guitar, Ritt Henn on bass, and Mayra Casales on percussion. Don't miss it for a way to combine a magical evening of music with a good cause.
Photo: Raissa Katona Bennett, raissa.info

ELLA & ME
31 January, 8:30 PM
Feinstein's at the Loews Regency Hotel
Once you've enjoyed Raissa Katona Bennett's performance at the Beechman, there's every reason to finish up the evening with SF alum Sue Matsuki's thrilling performance of Ella Fitzgerald classics at Feinstein's. Critics and audiences alike have widely acclaimed Matsuki's affinity for the First Lady of Song, and if you love such composers as Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, and Harold Arlen, this is an opportunity you can't pass up. SF teacher Eric Michael Gillett directs, and the evening also features Gregory Toroian on piano, Steve Millhouse on bass, and Ron Tierno on percussion.
Photo: Sue Matsuki, feinsteinsattheregency.com

SONGS OF ALBERT HAGUE
2 February, 7:00 PM
4 February, 9:45 PM
The Metropolitan Room
Christine Reisner is rehearsing in our own Dorothy Jones Theater as we type this! She comes from an illustrious career in both music and dance to lend her interpretation to the songs of the great theatre composer Albert Hague - who also happens to be Reisner's uncle. She presents to us insights into both the music and the man in a tribute to "one of America's national treasures." SF teacher Eric Michael Gillett directs, the musical director is Tex Arnold, and the show also features special guest Jon Burr on bass.
Photo: Christine Reisner, metropolitanroom.com

This post brought to you by Singers Forum, New York's premiere center for complete vocal training. We offer classes and private instruction from the finest teachers in a wide variety of musical genres. Check out our website to learn more! You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Singer's Quote of the Day

2009-12-01T15:57:00.001-05:00

Alas for those that never sing,
But die with all their music in them!
~Oliver Wendell Holmes

The Delivery Girls at Feinstein's: 20% Off!

2009-10-26T17:13:00.002-04:00

One of our students and one of our good friends have teamed up with two other talented ladies and director Eric Michael Gillett to create a different kind of musical act than you usually see these days.

The Delivery Girls is a trio of singers (Mary Carey, Amie Carey and April Henry) and musical director Tracy Stark. They apply tight harmonies to fun pop numbers, like a latter day version of The Crystals or The Ronnettes. I know all this for two reasons: one, I am readng the postacrd about their show, and two, I am lucky enough to hear them rehearse here in our studio.

My office is right across the hall from the Andy Anselmo Studio, so when the Delivery Girls are around, I know it. Their smooth sound and recognizable music is a welcome break from what is sometimes a cacophany of vocalizing students. I've seen Mary around school for a few years now, and Tracy and I have even worked together on a New Year's Eve gig I had last year. But even if I didn't know these ladies, I could recommend the show from the sound of their rehearsals alone.

Mary was nice enough to offer a discount to Singers Forum folks, so if you use code DG09 when reserving tickets, you'll get 20% off.

The show is at Feinstein's at The Regency on Wednesday, November 4 at 8:30 pm. I recommend calling 212.339.4095 to reserve tickets, as the online method adds nearly $10 to the total. You can also see more at www.feinsteinsattheregency.com.

Mother, My Valve!

2009-10-13T17:23:00.002-04:00

If you have read "A Confederacy of Dunces" (which you should) this quote will have particular salience. If not, it's still something to think about, especially post-MTV generation.

"Music is a part of us, and either ennobles or degrades our behaviour." - Boethius

I find that I tend to gravitate toward the former and avoid the latter, but there is a relentless trend toward music that degrades us, and we tend to become desensitized to it rather rapidly. Who among us would say that the music of Elvis Presley is the "music of the devil" in the 21st century, especially compared to the spectacles of Marilyn Manson, rap music about crime, and Lady Gaga? (OK, I like Lady Gaga, I can't help it.)

That was my first thought when I read this quote; what about you?

Thought for the Day

2009-10-06T17:06:00.001-04:00

Life is a symphony, and the action of every person in this life is the playing of his particular part in the music.

Building a Music Library

2009-09-21T16:01:00.002-04:00

We were lucky enough to get a generous donation from one of our former students in the form of several boxes of music books to add to our collection. Although we had a lot of traditional musical theater, classical, and pop standards in our extant collection, we were light on the contemporary. I'm glad we seemed to have filled that niche now. Of course, our lending library is still fairly small, but I think it offers a lot of options to our students and renters. We like to think of it as a little perk of working at Singers Forum!

The Singers Anthology books are helpful, especially because they are published by voice part. I also like vocal selections from musicals for a good way to find obscure material. Now we also have a lot of books of songs written and/or performed by a specific pop artist. I find them to be great resources for new songs to play on my uke!

What would be your ideal books in your music library? Do you like jazz standards, or would you love to have more contemporary musical theater books? And have you mastered the art of copying songs from these books without losing your bass clef or chord symbols? Share your thoughts in the comments!

The Quandary of Work/Study

2009-09-08T17:26:00.002-04:00

A very funny graphic from The Onion lists the "Least Popular Work-Study Jobs." It gives 19% (of what, I don't know) to "Work-study program administrator." This graphic hangs on the cork board in front of my desk, so I can muse at it every day. That's me, "work-study program administrator."

It's hard to run a work/study program when there is a limited amount and specific type of work to do. Back when we ran the evening front desk with Work/Study students, there were more students participating, but we had too much inconsistency in a vital area, so we switched to one paid employee. Let's face it, most people who want to do Work/Study are struggling performers who may get a tour at a moment's notice, or get interested in another kind of class they have to focus on. So, I'm used to seeing people come and go. Unfortunately, I'm at a kind of "go" moment right now.

We have Open House this week, and we usually staff it with about 10 Work/Study students. This year, I have 2. Basically, the students who are trained to do Work/Study aren't taking classes right now, so they don't need to earn credit. Thus, they don't respond to my requests for staff. I miss them!

I love having students help to run our events, as they are a huge part of the school. We let Work/Study students do the hours they want and apply the credit to anything they want. Many schools only offer a program like work 6 hours in one week and get one class. That's not very flexible. So, I think we've got a good deal! Plus, I always offer the opportunity to go around town distributing postcards at studios and bookstores (just dropping off, no handing out), with a report-your-own-hours policy, but I don't get many takers.

I'm just at a loss as to what to do. Do we institute a more rigid policy, like, you have to work three events a semester to stay on the roster? How can I incentivize the program to make it more desirable? Is this a signal that the whole structure of the program must change? What do you think? I'd love to hear your ideas!

Voice Choices

2009-08-31T13:18:00.002-04:00

Looks like longtime Back Stage writer David Finkle is doing a bit of work for the Village Voice. (He could have been writing for them as long as or longer than Back Stage, I'm just noticing it now!)

Anyhoo, his list of articles is a veritable who's who of folks who have connections to Singers Forum. To wit:

MetroStar Challenge was emceed by Lennie Watts, one of the judges was Eric Michael Gillett, SF students Melissa Heche and Joe D'Alessandro competed, and SF teacher Wendy Russell made it to the Top Ten.

The ubiquitous Eric Michael Gillett brings his show "Widescreen" to Feinstein's.

Also appearing at Feinstein's (last week) were "the Nick and Nora of cabaret", SF teachers Barbara Fasano & Eric Comstock.

We also count KT Sullivan among our friends, and were thrilled to have her present at our fundraiser in 2007.

Now, if we can just get him to include the locations...

Where Has the Summer Gone?

2009-08-25T15:07:00.002-04:00

Ok, to be fair, I was on vacation for a week in the beautiful Smoky Mountains (and the chokingly hot Raleigh area), so maybe that's why it seems like the last week of the summer semester got here pretty fast. Still, I am a little bit boggled that we'll be starting a brand new Fall semester after Labor Day. That means I've been working for Singers Forum for 6 years! My first class, Voice Technique with Liz Russo, was in January of 2002. I got laid off from my event management job in 2003 and still wanted to take lessons, so I called up Margaret Curry (who was the registrar and Work/Study boss as well as almost everything else at SF back then) and she took me on to work the front desk. Eventually, as Margaret took more time off to work on her acting career, I came on as an employee. I made the mistake of letting the powers that be know that I had some computer skills, and the next thing you know, I was working full-time!

A lot has changed at Singers Forum since I walked through the doors at the old 19th Street location, but one thing that is really the same is the start to every new semester. New classes, new ideas, new students... there's always an air of anticipation, change, and growth. I love seeing new faces come through the door at Open House, as much as I enjoy getting calls from current and past students signing up for another session. I especially enjoy seeing people try many different teachers and their reactions to the different styles. Actually, you can do that at Open House for free.

You know, we've always had free one-on-one consultations, and I just took it for granted, until I told someone else that we do that. His eyes opened wide and he said. "You've got to let everyone know about that." I suppose that all of the things we do take for granted around here - our great space, really talented teachers, and relaxed environment - are actually our greatest assets! Sounds obvious when you write it out, but when you're in the thick of it, sometimes it's hard to see the forest for the trees.

Anyway, those are my thoughts for today. Hope to see you soon!

Dog Days...

2009-08-10T16:47:00.002-04:00

It's a scorcher today in NYC. They say it's supposed to feel like 100 degrees with the humidity. I believe it! Thankfully, we are nice and cool inside here at Singers Forum. I actually have to wear a sweater! I've always found I get warmer when I'm singing, so I'm sure everyone who is working in the studios feels pretty comfortable.

I just sent out an e-mail about the opening of Fall registration, and the calls and e-mails started pouring in. Here are the facts:

August 17 is the first day of Fall 2009 registration. It always has been; there have been signs up for a couple of weeks, it's been on the website for a week, and the e-blast confirming that just went out today.
August 29 is the last day of "Early Registration." If you sign up for the full session of a group class before the close of business (6 pm) that day, you get a 10% discount on the class fee.
There are no waiting lists before August 17. If you call after registration starts and a class is full, we will put you on a waiting list in case people withdraw.
You must talk to someone to sign up for class! Don't consider yourself registered unless you have spoken to the registrar and arranged for payment. (That means no e-mail, no voice mail. Face to face or a phone conversation is the only way we sign people up.) That keeps us from overbooking a class.
Split-Payment is available if you fill out a form, pay half the fee, and give us a credit card number. That card is charged the second half of the payment on November 9.
If you don't know what class you should take, sign up for a free consultation! We can't recommend classes over the phone, and no one but our Administrator (Angelique) or our Artistic Director (Don Rebic) is supposed to recommend classes or teachers. You are free to sign up for any open enrollment class without a consultation, but we do charge a cancellation fee if you withdraw.
All of our policies can be found on our website! www.singersforum.org

I hope that's all clear. Always call us if you have any questions! (212-366-0541, 1-800-NYSINGS)

It's a Blowout!

2009-07-27T20:01:00.002-04:00

I'm really looking forward/nervous about tomorrow night. I'm joining the panel at Showbiz Talk (Stagebuddy.com's weekly discussion with Dave Lefkowitz) and co-hosting the Open Mic. We''re trying to bring some Singers Forum people out to check out the event. Apparently, they have great panelists and a random attendee is selected to audition for the panel. Not that anyone needs to audition for me, but the panel also includes casting director Kimberly Graham and Filmmaker/Director Lev Gorn, so that's a great opportunity. Then there's the Open Mic, which is also a contest. Plus, there is a chance to network at the start of the evening. And it's all only $5, which includes a free beverage.

Honestly, I have been wanting to go myself fo a while, but my schedule has been too busy. I was psyched to get the invitation, but yes, I am nervous! I love talking about Singers Forum, I just hope people love to hear about it as much!

Check out www.stagebuddy.com/live for more info and for videos of the past events. Yes, they videotape (digitally record?) the Showbiz Talk and the Open Mic! It's such a great idea for an event. If you come by, say hi to me!

Taking Care of Your Voice When You're Sick

2009-07-15T15:05:00.002-04:00

I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, and I have a few auditions and performances coming up, so I thought I would do a bot of research on best methods for voice care when you're sick.

I already know to take in plenty of fluids. I drink plain old water and coconut water to stay hydrated (Hint: Some places really overprice coconut water. You can get it for $1.75 for a single serving at most stores. Don't pay $3 like I did one night!). The internet helped me out with some tips I already knew as well as some new info!

eHow lists some instructions, including hydration, vocal rest, and warming up slowly. I don't agree about sucking on candies, though; I'd rather have a Throat Coat herbal pastille than a sugary candy!

Associated Content has 4 Tips: No antihistamines (check! I hate that dried out feeling.), drink water (check!), warm up carefully (I plan too!), and make sure you've got good vocal monitors (this only applies when you are singing into a microphone).

I also like to take vitamin supplements, like Emergen-C and licorice (for respiratory health), but you should talk to your doctor before adding any vitamins to your diet.

Do you have any tips for singing while sick, or staving off that pesky summer cold?

Bring Some Music into Your Summer Nights

2009-07-09T11:44:00.002-04:00

Dan Furman will be playing with his Trio and a number of guest vocalists at Puppets in Park Slope tonight. Dan will also be at the keys for our Open Mic tomorrow night, as you know. I recommend checking him out doing what he loves best tonight in Brooklyn, so you can truly appreciate the talent it takes to play both jazz and musical theater and pop and whatever else you guys throw at him at Open Mic!

We also have some showcases coming up this month and in August, more details to come. Save the dates for: The Arrangement Experience: The 80s Showcase on 7/16, Sing the Truth Showcase on 8/4 and Eric Michael Gillett Student Showcase on 8/5.

Speaking of Eric Michael, he is being honored with the Dick Gallagher Award at The 20th Annual Cabaret Convention in October. Also performing will be SF teachers Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano, guest teachers Julie Wilson, Karen Mason, Ann Hampton Callaway and Mary Cleere Haran, and SF friends (and Anselmo Award Winners) Karen Akers and Billy Stritch. More news on that as it approaches!

Summer is Finally Here!

2009-07-06T12:10:00.002-04:00

I never thought I would see the sun shine again, but it's been pretty consistent lately, so I think it's safe to say that summer is finally here!

Because of the holiday weekend, our July Open Mic is this Friday, July 10. Come join us for a fun evening of eclectic vocal performances, accompanied by the very talented Dan Furman. Incidentally, Dan and his trio will be playing at Puppets in Park Slope, Brooklyn, this Thursday.

So, how many of you have been to Open Mic? Take this week's poll and let us know!

What's your favorite thing about Open Mic? Biggest gripe? Favorite singer? I'm dying to hear what you think!

Follow Us!

2009-07-01T10:24:00.002-04:00

Follow the Fold, Follow the Drinking Gourd, I Will Follow Him... there are a lot of songs that mention following! Now you can follow Singers Forum on Twitter! Just visit www.twitter.com/singersforumnyc and click the "follow" button! And don't worry about getting a ton of ads in your stream... I'm mostly tweeting about our students and faculty in shows and the sort of stuff your friends tweet about! Follow Friday, trending topics, what music I'm listening too, etc. And, I only tweet a few times a day, so it won't clog up the flow.

Actually, I'm convinced I can get more followers for Singers Forum than I can for my personal Twitter account! Help me make it a reality!

See you soon,

Alexia

New Poll!

2009-06-25T15:19:00.004-04:00

There's a new poll on the page today that will be open until Thursday, 7/2. What's your favorite type of music? Now, I know a simple category can't cover everything; if you want to elaborate, comment!

For me, it's impossible to pick one style (you can pick multiple ones in the poll!). I love classic rock, girl groups from the 60s, the 80s new wave and pop that I grew up with, traditional musical theater, jazz and standards, and even heavy metal! Oh, and I can't forget about classic country and western, or industrial techno! My favorite type of music, though, is something that's fun to sing along to. I love to put on a musical soundtrack or The B52s and just belt it out along with the record. (Record? What's that?) I'm not crazy about music with atonal singing or ambient music with no vocals. It has its place, of course, but it won't be the first thing I put on when I want to listen to some music! What about you?

This Week's Poll

2009-06-18T18:04:00.002-04:00

Check out the left side of the page, and you'll see this week's poll question: What is your favorite class at Singers Forum? I know a lot of people can't choose just one favorite, so once you answer the poll, leave a comment here if you have more to say! Don't be shy -- the web can be a very anonymous place!

I'm starting to think I use too many exclamation points. Must be the coffee!

Wow, That Was Quick!

2009-06-17T12:39:00.003-04:00

I just published the bare bones of our page on Facebook. They haven't started "vanity urls" for pages yet (the way they have for profiles), so you still have to search at Facebook for "Singers Forum". Happily, we come up first!

I'm the only fan right now, so I'd love some company! If you aren't on Facebook, I say, go for it. If you have questions about it (how does it work? does everyone see my posts?), I'd be happy to answer them!

Talk to you soon!

-A

First Official Post!

2009-06-17T11:46:00.004-04:00

Hi everyone! I know no one is reading this yet, because it's my first official post to our new blog, but I know it will have archival value!

If you don't know me, my name is Alexia and I'll be blogging for SF here, the same way I've blogged on MySpace for a few years. I thought I'd make our blog a little more accessible to our students, renters and friends, as well as add some fun features, like slideshows and polls. Please let me know what you'd like to see here, because it's more fun to blog interactively than to blog by yourself! That's like singing in the shower; you know you sound great, but it's ultimately more satisfying with real live applause!

Right now, the summer semester is upon us, and although it's usually a slow time, Singers Forum is buzzing with activity. I'm psyched to check out the performance for Lennie Watts and Steven Ray Watkins' latest installment of The Arrangement Experience. The theme is The 80s, and, let's be honest, that's one of my favorite eras of music. Could be because I grew up to it, but you never can tell! (I wasn't alive in the 40s, but I love the big bands!)

OK, so this post is going to be short and sweet, because I know you are all very busy. Plus, I've got to get to setting up our Facebook page and our Twitter account. This modern world takes a lot of effort (well, typing)! but don't forget, although we're there for you digitally, we are ALWAYS there for you for the real live, face-to-face interaction that all singers need!

Don't forget to let me know what you think, and I'll talk to you again soon!