Catch Me a Catch: City Conceits and Country Pastimes

Derek Tam
February 3, 2021, at 7 PM

From the court and city to the countryside, the catch—a round at the unison, sung often in three or more parts—was a fixture of English musical life from the 16th through 18th centuries. With lyrics ranging from the profane and saucy to the penitent and saintly, these deceptively simple catches are the perfect ingredients for a thoroughly enjoyable night of music-making!

About Derek Tam:
https://vallejochoral.org/about/director/

Singing Hymns and Songs from the Shape Note Tradition
“Now shall my inward joy arise, / And burst into a Song”

Dr. Bianca Hall
February 10, 2021, at 7 PM

Join us for this hands-on introduction to the Shape Note singing tradition. Learn to read and sing shape note notation, as well as about the conventions of this American singing tradition that dates back to the 18th century. We will sing selections from this rich body of music by a variety of early American composers, including William Billings and Daniel Read.

About Dr. Bianca Hall:
https://biancahall.instantencore.com/web/home.aspx

SaReGaMaPa: An Exploration of Indian Classical Music

Vidita Kanniks
February 17, 2021, at 7 PM

In this presentation, we will discuss the wealth of musical traditions that have been cultivated for generations on the Indian subcontinent, and how this diverse sound world and theoretical system can give us an entirely new perspective on the Western musical traditions with which we are already familiar.

Interactive elements will include listening activities spanning various genres within the Indian Classical realm, as well as its influences on popular Indian music. We will also sing/sight-read “sargam” (Indian solfege) exercises from method books—a practice that is at the core of Indian vocal music.

About Vidita Kanniks: Vidita Kanniks is a multi-faceted soprano specializing in ensemble music, historical performance and cross-cultural work. Equally at home with her background in Indian Classical music and her Western classical training she strives to represent both sides authentically in her unique artistic identity. Her interdisciplinary work paired with her sensitive musicianship and affinity for language has led her to gain attention through social media content and live performances across the United States and internationally.

Vidita currently holds Bachelor’s degrees in Vocal Performance and Music History from the University of Cincinnati (CCM) with a minor in French, and a Master’s degree in Early Music Performance from McGill University in Montreal, Québec. She currently resides on Early Music America’s Emerging Professional Leadership Council and lives in Cincinnati where she is an active vocal instructor and teaching artist in both Western and Indian classical styles. 

Vocal Registration: A Singer’s Guide

Dr. Julia Hunt Nielsen
February 24, 2021, at 7 PM

Head, chest, mix, modal, falsetto, fry, thick, thin, TA, CT…the terminology used by singers and voice professionals to describe the registers of the human voice can be incredibly confusing! Many singers are left wondering:

* What is a “vocal register” anyway?
* How do I transition smoothly from one register to another? And why does my voice sometimes crack when I try? 

This seminar and accompanying vocal exercise routine will address these questions and many more, covering:

* Clear definitions of common terms like head voice and mixed voice
* An explanation of the physiology of vocal registers (including the functions of the TA “thyroarytenoid” and CT “cricothyroid” muscles)
* How factors like breath pressure and vowel affect vocal registration
* Half a dozen practical vocal exercises to help strengthen and blend your vocal registers, with a focus on cross-registration exercises

About Dr. Julia Hunt Nielsen:
http://singerspace.com/bio/