To celebrate my birthday, I’m re-releasing two of my favorite episodes from the “Music (ed) Matters” PD Week - the two episodes on vocal technique with adolescent singers with Mr. Vic Oakes and Dr. Lynne Gackle! I hope you enjoy these “gifts” from me to you. Thanks for listening, thanks for supporting, and thanks for being a part of this podcaster’s dream!

1. Vocal Tech with Vic Oakes

Come with us as we explore aspects of the changing/expanding adolescent male singing voice through our examination of the physiology, psychology, and "phrustrations" of working with this stage of the developing singer.  Strategies for working with these singers, positively including them in the choral rehearsal, and encouraging continued growth and exploration through the "storm and stress" of the voice change will be explored, augmented with recordings of voices from a child voice through early adolescence.  This fun episode is a long one, so if you need to, feel free to break it up into two parts. The first, listening to the difference between a child’s voice and that of an almost adolescent just starting to demonstrate gaps and an expanded range. The second, which begins almost exactly at the halfway point, outlining tips for rehearsal and tools your singers can use to navigate through the uncertainty (and fun) of each day. 

There is a powerpoint PDF available for you as you listen, check it out at EmmyBurch.org/podcast.

2. Vocal Tech with Dr. Lynne Gackle

Adolescent Female voice expert, Dr. Lynne Gackle, walks us through the four phases of the female voice change. Not only does she provide helpful analysis and voice-placement tips, she provides examples of spoken and sung passages from women in the process. You’ll want to listen to this one all the way through as she drops absolutely GOLD along the way, sharing stories and changing lives. Something I can’t wait to start with my singers is her voice-tracking sheet. They offer our singers an opportunity for leadership, ownership, and understanding. The entire episode will offer you ideas to empower your adolescent female voices through a somewhat tricky, frustrating, and challenging time and ensure they keep on singing.

There is a powerpoint PDF available for you as you listen, check it out at EmilyBurch.org/podcast.

Want to learn more? Check out Dr. Gackle’s book: Finding Ophelia's Voice, Opening Ophelia's Heart: Nurturing the Adolescent Female Voice: An Exploration of the Physiological, Psychological, and Musical Developments of Female Students https://www.amazon.com/dp/142911858X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_SehiFbF44M6NW.

Join us for more content, access all the Teacher PD Week Content, and more at Patreon.com/MusicEdMatters.

*Show music originally written by Mr. Todd Monsell

**Show photography provided by Dr. Dan Biggerstaff