SOUTHERN MISS SCHOOL OF Music

RHM Vocal Arts and Science Symposium

February 3–4, 2023

HATTIESBURG CAMPUS

Stephen F. Austin, PhD

Professor of Voice

Coordinator of the Texas Center for Performing Arts Health

University of North Texas

Raymond Wise, PhD

Professor of Practice in the African American African Diaspora Studies Indiana University

Robin Aronson, MFA

Professor of Voice and Acting, USM Theatre, Lessac Certified Voice and Body Trainer, Past President, Lessac Training and Research Institute

Phyllis Lewis-Hale, DMA

Assistant Professor of Voice

Director of the Opera Workshop Jackson State University

Ron Hancock, BC-HIS

Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Sciences

Advanced Master Hearing Aid Practitioner Beltone Hearing Care Centers

DARIO MARTIN, DMA

Staff Collaborative Pianist

Southern Miss TITO LANIER BM, MEd

Collaborative Pianist

Friday,

8:15 a.m.

Registration - Marsh Hall Lobby (Fine Arts Building)

Coffee/Tea/Refreshments

8:45 a.m.

Welcome and Introductions

9 – 9:55 a.m.

“Chiaroscuro:WhatItIsandHowtoTrainIt,” Part I

Dr. Stephen Austin

Objective: An introducing the singing world to historical literature in hopes of giving teachers a basis from which to establish a practical and long-established process of training the singing voice. A discussion of what chiaroscurois, what it is not, and how to train it. Session includes contrasting examples of good and bad chiaroscuro and serves as the foundation for everything else teachers need or concerned about in training bel canto singers. The ideas presented here clarify a large part of the differences between singing styles such as CCM, Belt technique needed in some Musical Theatre, gospel and R & B styles of singing. Videos, lecture, handouts as needed.

Learning Outcome: Attendees will learn historical facts, styles, techniques, gleaned from classical literature – song and literary – by way of lecture, listening to many examples, thereby training a discerning ear. We are left understanding the foundational requirements for good and healthy singing, as well as to learn techniques for teaching based good and healthy singing based upon the concepts of chiaroscuro.

10 – 11 a.m.

“Chiaroscuro:WhatItIsandHowtoTrainIt,” Part II

Dr. Stephen Austin

Objective: Continuation of Session I. Same objective as above.

Learning Outcome: Same learning outcome as above.

11 – 11:15 a.m. - Break

11:15 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.

Application Master Class – “IncorporatingChiaroscuro”

Dr. Stephen Austin

Objective: A practical workshop to give attendees the opportunity to develop their listening and teaching skills by experiencing what was taught in the first two sessions. Hands-on experience.

Learning Outcomes: Participants will confirm what they have learned in sessions one and two either by working with someone and being observed by Dr. Austin or by Dr. Austin working with them individually. Either way, there will be direct instruction by Dr. Austin to confirm their understanding of chiaroscuro and how to train their students.

12:20 –1:20 p.m. – Lunch

1:30 – 2:45 p.m.

“TheExpressiveandEmbodiedVoice“- Intermezzo @Woods Gallery

Professor Robin Aronson

Assisted by Lessac Voice and Body Practitioners Abby Anderson and Camila Salas, both MFA in Theatre Performance Candidate

(Speech Pathologists, Performers, Orators, Ministers, Conductors, Public Speakers, and Teachers)

Objectives:

• To discover strategies and overcome vocal fatigue, increase pitch range and experience vitality within the speaking voice.

• To increase physical flexibility as well as deepen the connection between breathing and posture.

• To explore and apply these vocal and physical tools in text work.

• Explore the carryover and connection between the speaking and singing voice

Learning Outcomes:

Participants will gain applied approaches to either improving their own speaking voice or strategies for instruction with others. Lessac training will give voice professionals a solid approach for improving physical posture, breathing, and flexibility as well as vocal clarity, intelligibility, resonance, and tone. The participant will learn healthy vocal production, elements of clear speech for the stage, and warm-ups for improving vocal range and expressiveness.

3 – 4:30 p.m.

Objective: As gospel music has moved beyond the black church, many have raised concerns about how to perform gospel music authentically while maintaining vocal health. This session will present tips on performing gospel music with the appropriate sound, style, and spirit while utilizing the healthy vocal technique. In addition, participants will consider various techniques to apply and maintain healthy vocal techniques while singing in the gospel style. PowerPoint, lecture, handout.

Learning Outcomes: Participants will consider five core stylistic elements of gospel music performance and learn proven techniques to apply in solo and choral singing. Participants will learn an actual gospel song and apply the appropriate stylistic and vocal techniques. Participants will emerge with confidence in performing in the African American gospel style while maintaining healthy vocal technique.

4:30–4:45 p.m. – Break

4:45 – 5:45

Drs. Stephen Austin & Raymond Wise

Objective: This interactive presentation will address all of the ideas and concepts from the sessions of the day with chiaroscuro / bel canto and the gospel style, incorporating them into one “hands-on” master class. Giving students and teachers another opportunity to test their knowledge (how much they’ve learned) and learn by experience. For each style, the concepts of breathing, tone placement and tonal quality will be addressed.

Learning Outcome: Participants will be able to identify variations of breathing (breath support), onsets and releases, vowel morphing, vibrato, and phrase weighting that help artists develop a signature style. They will also learn how to approach rhythm and use melodic tools to embellish melodies. Finally, they will practice their analyzation skills by learning a method to use multiple performances to influence their own interpretation

5:45–6 p.m.

Recapitulation and Discussion

6 p.m. – End of Day One – Dinner on Your Own

Saturday, February 4, 2023

8:15–8:45 a.m.

Registration - Marsh Hall Lobby (Fine Arts Building)

Coffee/Tea/Refreshments

8:45–10 a.m.

“Building Strong Voices 12 Different Ways”

Dr. Stephen Austin

Objective: Dr. Austin discusses specific elements of voice training that historically have been a part of a progressive method of voice training.

Learning Outcome: Observers will develop and gain a solid, step-by-step understanding of how to build a strong singing voices and secure singing technique that have historically been a part of proper singing technique. With experiential engagement, singers/speakers learn the proper use of the body and placement in the delivery of their voices.

10 – 10:15 a.m. – Break

10:15 – 11 a.m.

“So You Want to Sing Opera” - Intermezzo @Woods Gallery

Dr. Phyllis Lewis Hale

Objective: Dr. Lewis Hale presents the steps towards the pursuit of a professional career in operatic and classical music. She covers strategies on building goals, ascertaining the right teacher, practice techniques, networking, competitions, taking care of voice, opera houses/ companies, and preparing for public presentation – how to interview and proper attire. Q & A period.

Learning Outcomes:

Building on the previous sessions of Dr. Austin in learning proper singing technique, participants will learn the purpose of their vocal study / teaching and how it should be applied to assist them (their students) in meeting their professional goals, developing an operatic singing career, or other style of singing career. They will learn how to develop a professional mindset early on. Participants will leave with information on schools, opera companies, voice competitions to which they may apply and information on preparing for those competitions. They will learn the stages in building their artistry and establishing themselves as artists. Teachers will learn how to identify those students in their studios who have this potential and incorporate this information in their teaching to take their students through the proper stages for building their careers. Participants will be able to ask questions on topics not covered.

11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Operatic Master Class: “Chiaroscura and the 12 Steps Realized”

Drs. Austin and Lewis-Hale

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. – Lunch

1:40 – 2:30 p.m.

“HearingSound,HearingLoss&TheMusician”-

Intermezzo @Woods Gallery

Mr. Ron Hancock

Objectives: Ron Hancock reviews how we hear, when might sound exposure damage our hearing, hearing protection, and the science of the musical language you already speak. It is a fun, interactive presentation all about the musician’s ear.

Learning Outcomes: With the use of a PowerPoint presentation, videos, and sound examples, participants will learn about our hearing anatomy, interactions with and use of music, and how to protect and care for our hearing.

2:40 – 3:40 p.m.

“VocalImprovisation:AdLibandRunsintheGospelStyle”

Dr. Raymond Wise

Objective: This interactive presentation will introduce participants to technical tools used to improvise in the African American Gospel style. Improvisation is commonly used in the gospel style to interpret a song and add personal expression. Though many are gifted to improvise, some skills and techniques can be mastered to be more effective. This workshop will consider techniques commonly used in improvising in the gospel style to equip students with tools and confidence in approaching vocal improvisation in the gospel style. PowerPoint, video, lecture.

Learning Outcomes: Participants will learn how to use improvisational techniques to effectively embellish Gospel songs as a choir lead or individual soloist. Participants will learn essential scales and melodic patterns that can be applied to vocal improvisation. In addition, participants will learn basic gospel melodies and familiar songs and then volunteer to apply the various improvisational techniques to the gospel melodies presented during the sessions.

3:45 – 4 p.m. – Break

4 – 5 p.m.

Open Master Class for Individuals, Groups/Small Ensembles

All Clinicians

Objective: A master class dedicated to students pursuing a degree in voice performance and those who are already established professional singers, teachers of singing, choral directors, vocal ensembles and small and/or large ensembles. This master class is dedicated to singers in all styles of singing.

Learning Outcome: Voice specialists and avocational voice participants will learn how to work with the professional voice and the classical/legit style of singing, as well as the gospel style. Singers will learn or re-educate themselves in proper voice technique and management with a review of breath management, resonance, glottal function, and clean vocal fold vibration.

5 p.m.

Wrap-up

Objective: A Time of review and recap of all material covered in the conference.

Optionalevent:PossibleExtraChoralGroupSession–7:30p.m.–TBA