Author: akintsucrooner

Yeah. These Wagner College voice whippersnappers are something else. It’s a great joy to be my voice student’s diagnostician. Generally, vocal study is the balance of vowels, register, focus, energy, compression, and flow. The tricky part is imparting an accurate and legible prescription, so to speak, that is individually suited to the needs of the individual. Our voices are as unique as a fingerprint. A teacher’s guidance is only as good as how the student is able to receive and apply. You may have the great pedagog Lamperti committed to memory but without the meeting of the minds, all the knowledge in the world won’t grow vocal ability. Yes, singing technique can also be an intolerant religion. And what is good for the goose isn’t always good for the gander. One of my voice teachers in my late 20s, Sarah Stedman, was my diagnostician at a crucial time in my development. She edited and devised vocal rudiments for my voice (stepwise staccato ee was my jam) which had become imbalanced from “too much big singing too little technique.” In one year’s time, I was on my way to an even core sound through the registers. At the end of the day, voice teachers who focus on bel canto pedagogy are seeking the code that releases the individual core sound on the breath. Some will come to it more easily but no one escapes the challenges of living with our instrument in our throat and all that affects us in our daily lives. Add to all of this technique talk the primary goal to communicate and we experience one heck of a ride. Singers may grapple with a tenuous singing world but it is one that is ultimately deeply rewarding.

#akintsucrooner

EAP 3.26.2021

I gave a fun trial lesson to a prospective Wagner College vocal performance major tonight. Love these kid’s brains.

Favorite quotes from her: “pay no attention to the sword on the sofa.” “I had to learn how to sing with tenors who don’t sing.” “Vocalises while singing the word Biden is good for the voice and the county.”

I also learned a new tongue twister: “Elfaba eating falafels with alfalfa”

Dear singers, what piece do you love to sing even though it’s out of fach and you wouldn’t be hired to do it?

Alas, I am considered way too fortified for Pamina but I adore this piece with my heart and soul and can sing it in my sleep. I think it is a masterful piece of musical architecture from the first g minor chord to the exquisite postlude.

My voice student Ruth Sytsma is singing this piece beautifully. God willing I make it to the retirement home, lll be the wacky red hat gal singing it while coloring in the activities room.

Movie Review 🍿 🎥

Trailer: https://youtu.be/1HZAnkxdYuA

Denzel Washington could appear in an identical remake of 1987 Ishtar and I’d make myself sit through it.

The Little Things isn’t as bad as Ishtar. And expert thespian Denzel acts the crap out of an otherwise confusing and tortoise paced script. 

An Official WTF rating is issued for this movie. A WTF rating means: I had no flipping idea what had happened after the credits rolled. If you can make heads or tails out of the ending, you’ll have me beat. I had to look up spoilers what actually happened in the movie.

Malek is interesting. His interpretation is precarious. I couldn’t tell if he was supposed to be a villain or not. Jared Leto gave an effective however broad stroked, modern day Commedia Dell’Arte performance.

I appreciated the non cell phone 1990s world and use of music.

But, I was supremely bored, ennui abounded, as much as Denzel tried to avoid the iceberg demise of this film.

I wish I had armrests to raise, as the pandemic rails on, but if I did, The Little Things would get no armrests.

#anarmrestrenegade



A couple years ago my family found this placed at my Dad’s grave. We found out that it was given by one of his students at the beginning of his teaching career. My dad has been gone for 19 years. I am now only 11 years away from the age that he passed. I think of him all the time but especially during Concert seasons. It definitely looks different this year how we communicate and connect musically with the kids and families. I know my dad would be up to the task. He was loving his turquoise Apple computer and his music writing programs in the 90s. He was a life learner and I think he only would have been galvanized by the technology of 2020. I still can’t wrap my mind around the concept of death and loss but I’m hanging on to the precious memories.

#akintsucrooner

Twenty nine years ago, I did my first set of school Christmas concerts. If you would have told me then that when I was 52, I would be running a concert on my wife’s laptop computer in New Jersey (at my 16th winter concert at Judd School,) I would have had a hearty laugh. We did indeed have our variety show/concert tonight with a awesome acts-uke solo, student solos, jokes, recorders, and readings by Judd staff. Everyone went all out with their holiday clothes and house decorations. The excitement and energy came through the screen. It was a grand night. I am inspired by these talented, fearless, and resilient kids. #juddelementaryschool #northbrunswicknj #winterconcert2020

By E. Perryman

The fall 2020 semester at Wagner has wrapped. Last January, I started teaching adjunct voice at Wagner before everything hit the fan with Covid. Even though we’ve been remote since March, I’m really enjoying living a musical mash up of boomwackers by day and German lied by night.

Takeaways after semester 2:

1. Body Language Is King

I’ve gathered many vocal rudiments along the way but the body work I explored with Patt O’Neill has laid the foundation filter for my insights as I guide others.

2. Read between the lines

Finding the right approach isn’t always clear cut. It definitely isn’t a one size fits all. The path to growth has emerged out of routine, awareness, and experimentation.

3. Don’t overthink it

Easier said than done. Please find that released onset/on pitch vibration/high position/diaphragmatic breath/independent tongue/flexible support/spacious palate lift…..but don’t think about it. Alrighty then.

4. All for one and one for all

Aligning vowels ain’t for the faint hearted.

WEEK 1 YES! I’ve got that “ay” vowel right where I want it! It matches my other vowels!

WEEK 2 WTF. Where’d I leave my “ay” vowel? Bueller? Bueller? Anyone?

5. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy

These Wagner kids have a great work ethic. My habits in undergraduate school had a bit less rigor. I blame it on Barry Manilow Downen at Boomers.

But sometimes it’s also been a good idea to take it easy that day on the Bel Canto gospel……..best to get a burrito and chill.

Onwards and upwards.

#akintsucrooner

BEING RIGHT?

#akintsucrooner

I’ve been right a few times. I’ve been wrong often. It felt good in the moment to be right I guess. It was annoying to be wrong but in the long run I was probably more helpful and impacting.

In order to function: I work the best under loving directness, wrapped a nurturing and positive energy. I presume that others need different approaches. Facts are great, I think. But what is actually real? Yeah yeah I’m entering existential Elizabeth Honer realm but she’s still teaching me, Charlie Brown.

I mean if we really get into the nitty gritty, what can we prove? Makes me uncomfortable to even think about what I accept from just being “told.”

I guess at the end of day it’s better if we are choosing to be less “correct” and “winning of the argument” about issues. Being right can be so limited. So we hang on, breathe, and do the best we can for all as much as possible and that will be the best good path. And sometimes it won’t. And sometimes we mess up. What really matters when all hell is breaking lose? Thank God we don’t live in a cancel culture. Oh wait. Lol.

So that’s why education pedagogs want us to teach more growth mindset now…….ahhhhhh 😆