Today, January 5, 2024, is my ten year anniversary of being a full time chorister with the Newark cathedral choir. Thanks to the fabulous Marion Gayles, I began subbing as an alto 2 in their 2003 Verdi requiem. I have A2 notes but don’t live there. I am very grateful to be home in S2 land now (sometimes S1 on the loud, high, and heavily orchestrated 19th century tunes). It has taken awhile to tame my not so forward and senza-less vibrato throat to play well with others in the motet sandbox but it’s coming along.
I have discovered the following since I acquired music box #5:
- My name is Liz and I have been known to add vibrato to the end of phrases. I’m recovering.
- Finding a springy vowel has helped my habit of taking my sweet ole time at onset.
- As my singing twin Sandra Mercado has aptly pointed out; when “ppp” is needed in the soprano section; 2nd row tacit is the key.
- Rhythmic accuracy is next to godliness.
- Barometric pressure and intonation have quite the tempestuous rapport.
- Acute listening to fellow singers cures many ensemble ails.
- Placing that vowel right in the forehead whilst singing Renaissance achieves the desired high and bright.
- Since Covid, passing of the peace with the cathedral choir has remained touchless. I approve. Singing is quite the spore-centric activity.
- I love singing heroic Mendelssohn, Mozart, Brahms, and Anglican choral pieces.
- My voice post vocal study enjoys singing in Eb4 and F#5 passagio. Hanging out stepwise between G5-B5 not so much.
- Adding trills is fun.
akintsucrooner 