Regular visitor?

Hit Control + Refresh (or Shift + Reload) for the most current version of this page. More info

29 June 2004

Australian Idol 2

Premiers over two nights on Network Ten on Tuesday 13 July & Wednesday 14 July at 7.30pm.

Audition Age Limit Anger
Inside Australian Idol reported:

The decision to enforce an age limit for the Australian Idol 2 auditions have been met with anger by older Idol hopefuls who have missed out on their chance to audition.

The age limit has caused a strong reaction since the last series which also limited contestants aged between 16-28 years.

Newspaper reports early last year reported that producers may consider increasing the age limit due to the unfavourable response last year. However, producers have decide to stick with the age limitations for the up coming series even going as far as incorporating conditions that include checking driving licences etc. for proof of age at auditions.

Here are a few comments received by Inside Australian Idol.

Congratulations to...

11 years old Joanne Turek who is a soloist at the 2004 Catholic Schools Choir festival to be held at the Festival Theatre.

17 year old Aleks Milikevic  who received 2nd place in the New Generation Gym Karaoke SInging Competition.

26 June 2004

UPDATE: Trainee teacher, Brooke, progressing well

Brooke Johnson, our newest recruit, who joined us a few weeks ago has been progressing very well during intensive inhouse training conducted by Leanne.

Three to four hour theory sessions have been held weekly (and will continue into the near future) covering all aspects of singing technique and how to teach it effectively in great depth.

There's also plenty of homework with books to read and course notes, developed over several years by Leanne, to absorb.

In addition, Brooke has been joining us at our regular teacher training sessions, which involve all the teachers, and has quickly become a popular staff member with her friendly nature and willingness to learn.

Recently the practical side of teacher training has commenced with Brooke giving several 'mock' singing lessons to enthusiastic volunteer students.

We wish Brooke well in her ongoing training with us.

25 June 2004

What age can a kid start singing lessons?

I often speak to people regarding singing lessons for their child. Some had been told their child should not start singing lessons until they had fully developed physically. These people are told the best age for children to start singing is around sixteen.

This never sat comfortably with me.

I thought lessons would be beneficial if no harm was being done to the voice. Teaching kids correct vocal habits, not to abuse their voices, and the many other skills associated with lessons would only be of benefit to the young singer.

A favourite author of mine on the young persons singing voice is Kenneth H Phillips. He says in his book Teaching Kids To Sing the following (italics inserted by myself):

"The prevailing attitude among some contemporary (and classical) music educators is that the training of the child voice should be delayed until the vocal folds have completely adjusted to the physical changes related to puberty.

“Their reason for delaying is the fear that vocalises and vocal techniques may damage a young voice. There is no empirical evidence for such a belief. In fact, medical experts such as Robert Sataloff and Joseph Spiegel (1989), believe that it is possible and proper to train young voices to sing. “They caution against vocal abuse and recommend an approach based on gradual development of vocal musculature and control. It is really a matter of endurance; one should not expect youthful voices to endure long periods of practice or vocal exercises. A balance of song and singing instruction is most important." pp. 3-4

Kids are so exposed to the popular music of today. It is a huge, dynamic, fast moving and exciting industry. This exposure stimulates their interest and appetite to sing. Consequently we are seeing more and more kids wanting to take singing lessons from an early age.

If they are going to sing, they may as well be learning the correct way to do it.

18 June 2004

Reality show to find new INXS singer

ABC News Online reported this week:

Australian rock band INXS, which lost singer Michael Hutchence to suicide in 1997, will be at the centre of a new reality show called Rock Star .

The latest show from Mark Burnett, the creator of such reality hits as Survivor and The Apprentice, will see a new lead singer chosen for the veteran combo.

"I am a long-time fan of INXS and feel very fortunate that INXS approached us with this idea and have entrusted us with their future,"

"I feel there's room on TV for more than one great music-based show, and I feel that rock music has been totally left out of that mix."

Since Hutchence's death, surviving band members Andrew Farriss, Tim Farriss, Jon Farriss, Kirk Pengilly and Garry Beers have occasionally performed with fellow Australian Jon Stevens on vocals.

That line-up played during the closing ceremonies of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and toured North America in 2002 with Simple Minds.

"After Michael died, we wanted to search the world for a new singer but didn't know how we could effectively do that," Tim Farriss said.

"By having Mark and everyone at MBP (Mark Burnett Productions) embrace the concept, we've now found a fantastic way to make that happen."

The auditions will be held on five continents.

The winner and INXS will record a studio album, the band's first since 1997's Elegantly Wasted , and then head out on a world tour.

Unlike other music reality shows such as American Idol and Nashville Star , the viewing audience will not be the sole arbiter of the show's outcome.

Band members will also assess contestants in tandem with leading entertainment industry specialists.

17 June 2004

Congratulations LHSS teachers...

LHSS teachers Katie Packer and Allison Bourke have leading roles in the next Marie Clark production of The Man of La Mancha.

Allison is playing the lead, Aldonza. Katie is playing, Antonia. The season will be from the 1- 9 October 2004.

Lisa Simonetti has been awarded a two week scholarship to study music in Italy this September. More info soon.

New teacher joins LHSS

Welcome to Brooke Johnson who will join the teaching team at the Studio. She is currently doing our inhouse extensive training and will start teaching in the near future.

Brooke completed a Bachelor of Music at the Adelaide Conservatorium in 2003 and is no stranger to music.

From the tender age of eight Brooke began learning the piano, and starting singing at nine.

At the age of twelve she competed in the Horsham Singing Eisteddfod in Victoria, winning the open solo under 16 section. This resulted in her being asked to audition for Horsham's coming production of Les Miserables in which she gained the leading role of "Little Cossete" and played to 500 people over seven nights.

At 14, Brooke gained a singing scholarship at Anglican Ballarat Grammar School and boarded there for 3 years. She became voice captain of the music school, completed grade 5 AMEB singing exam, Music Solo Performance with Honours and toured new Zealand as Lead Singer of the band.

She has more recently performed in Horshams' production of The Sound Of Music, the Adelaide Conservatorium's production of Star Struck and Orfeo, and completed grade 6 AMEB exam. Brooke has also continued to perform in Eisteddfods in Victoria and Adelaide, last year winning 1st prize in the Operetta section at the Adelaide Eisteddfod.

She currently performs with an acoustic guitarist at weddings and private functions.

Welcome Brooke!

*Update*
Music Catalogue Enhanced: New Feature: "Most Popular Songs by Genre"

Music Catalogue is a great facility to assist students with choosing songs for lessons. At times it may seem a little overwhelming given the huge choice available, particularly if you have no idea where to start with choosing a song.

To make Music Catalogue more user-friendly, and to provide suggestions for those who simply don't know where to start looking, we have added a new feature (see button below) with which you can view lists of popular songs, by genre, used regularly by students at the Studio.

for illustration purposes only

For example, if you're looking for a ballad just select 'Ballads' in the dropdown box in the Music Catalogue page and click the "Most Popular" button. You'll then be presented with a selection of the most popular ballads used at the Studio. You may find a suitable song from this selection or it could spark off some ideas for other songs for you.

Genres available so far include:

• Ballads
• Beginners Songs
• Classical
• Country
• Duets
• Folk
• Jazz
• Kids Songs
• Males
• Motown
• Movie Songs
• Musical Theatre
• Pop
• R&B (Rhythm & Blues)
• Rock
• Wedding Songs

We hope you find this helpful. We'd love to hear what you think about it.

Feel free to click on the "Comments" link below and leave us a comment.

Tips for using Music Catalogue:

Performance opportunities

LHSS Performance Concert No. 3

The studio holds regular concerts that are designed to give students valuable experience in performing, and to encourage and develop confidence. The next Performance Concert is on Friday 23 July. The Rehearsal is on Friday 16 July.

Performance Concerts are designed to give students valuable experience in performing, and to encourage and develop confidence.

They offer an opportunity for first-time performers to gain experience in a non-threatening environment. A rehearsal is scheduled the week before the concert when you will practice singing in front of each other.

Singers who are more advanced are welcome to perform at the Performance Concert only.

For the student competing at the Balaklava Eisteddfod and using Peter Johns as their accompanist. Performance concert only gives the student the opportunity to have an additional practice with the accompanist (Peter Johns) as well as sing their competition songs in front of an audience.

Click here for Performers Concert No. 3 2004 PDF information sheet

Free download to view PDF files

7 June 2004

Do brilliant singers make good teachers?

James C McKinney's book The Diagnosis & Correction of Vocal Faults page 18 states:

4 June 2004

LHSS wins recognition award from local radio station

LHSS student Kylie Woithe nominated the Studio for radio station LIFE FM's "Bun and Beyond" award. Her nomination to the station read as follows:

LHSS appears in the 26 May entry in the LIFE FM "Bun & Beyond" Winner's List.

As an extra bonus, we enjoyed a feast of buns which were delivered to the Studio.

Thanks, Kylie, for nominating the Studio. We were honoured and touched by your gesture.

Australia's 15 piece Soul/Funk band
Check out the band Goose, you'll love them.

They are playing in Adelaide on Saturday 19 June at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel

Saturday 19 June at Governor Hindmarsh Hotel

3 June 2004

Leanne & John's emergency trip to the UK...

On Mon 17 May (Adelaide Cup Public Holiday) , John (my husband) and I received the tragic news from John's mum that John's father, who had a heart condition, had suddenly collapsed and died of heart failure at home in the UK. He was 74.

The next day we were on a plane on our way to Wales, UK to prepare for the funeral and support his mum. John's brother, Simon, who lives in Brisbane also flew over with his wife at short notice.

Towards the end of our 2 week stay, John and I went to London and did what singing teachers do when in the UK capital - purchase music and see West End musicals.

Coming from Adelaide, it's hard to appreciate the vast number of theatre productions that can be seen daily in London's West End or on New York's Broadway. When given the opportunity I throw myself at the box office and impulsively hand over the Visa card to book as many musicals as I can fit in to the time available.

I usually opt to see shows that may not make their way to Australia or Adelaide.

My choice, this time around, to see the revival of Cole Porter's 1934 classic Anything Goes and the Andrew Lloyd Webber-inspired Bombay Dreams about a Bombay slum boy making it big in Bollywood (India's Hollywood), were real treats.

Musical theatre is a great night out. Certain scenes often affect me to the point of tears. These include the opening scene of The Lion King, the final medley of songs of Mamma Mia, and throughout Les Miserables.

The last scene in Act 1 of Anything Goes was simply sensational. The dance routines, the singing and direction were outstanding and out came the tissues.

We arrived back in Adelaide on Tue 1 June to find that our fabulous teachers, Katie, Allison and Lisa had kept the Studio rolling along brilliantly during our absence.

I was particularly impressed with the running and organising of the 2nd Performers Concert of the year. Well done girls, and a special thanks goes out to Katie. Love ya all!

1 June 2004

Congratulations...

Country singer Danielle Mowbray who attended lessons in 2003 in preparation for a series of Country Music Competitions and Festivals.

The wins to her credit are:

South East Country Music Association Festival Talent Quest

February 2003

•  3rd - Senior Open Gospel
•  3rd - Female Vocal
•  Best Local Talent

February 2004

•  3rd - Senior Open Gospel
•  2nd - Female Vocal
•  1st - Open Country Rock
•  Senior Perpetual trophy for encouragement
•  Herbie Collins Memorial Trophy for overall Talent Quest Winner

Gawler for a charity concert for Royal Society for the Blind

April 2004

•  Guest Artist

Northern Country Music Festival Talent Quest Pt Pirie

May 2004

•  1st  - Senior Open Gospel
•  1st - Female Vocal
•  1st - Open Traditional Country
•  Senior Overall Talent Quest Winner

Riverland Country Music Festival (Barmera)

June 2004

• 2nd - Female Vocal
• 2nd - Female Duo

Congratulations also to...

• Amy Davis for reaching the semi-finals of the current Search for a Singer series. Good luck for the finals!
• Katie Packer who sang the National Anthem at the SANFL Central Districts 40th Anniversary football match
• Lisa simonetti for getting a 2nd call-back at the recent Australian Idol 2 auditions
• Jaimy-Lee Aistrope for winning the year 11 Glenunga High School IDOL Competition and coming the overall runner-up.