19 March 2003

Male Singer Wanted

Adelaide band The Smarty Boys are looking for a front line male vocalist with harmony ability. Guitar playing ability would be a bonus but not essential.

They do a lot of corporate entertainment. They perform music from the 60's to the Latin and dance rhythms of the millennium hits, including songs by the Supremes, The Commitments, ABBA, Fast Ball, The Corrs, Robbie Williams, Anastasia, Smash Mouth, Ricky Martin, Santana and "old blue eyes" himself. They don't forget Australian talent - Paul Kelly, Peter Allen, Vanessa, Crowded House, AC/DC, Kylie Minogue, Killing Heidi and even Cold Chisel if they have to!

The Smarty Boys have a long history of playing at Adelaide's most prestigious corporate functions including:
Coles-Myer, Davis Cup Ball, Gribbles Pathology, McDonalds
Restaurants, Mitsubishi, GMH, Adelaide Casino, Hilton International Hotel, Ramada Grand, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Small Business Awards, Honda Music Festival, Institution of Engineers, CPA, Commonwealth Bank, Crippled Childrens, Lotteries Commission,
Port Power Football Club, Adelaide Bank, Christmas in the Snow,
Adelaide Convention Centre, Real Estate Institute, BOMA, Chamber of Commerce, Variety Club

If you are interested please contact John Fisher on mob.0417 806 680 or jpfisher@senet.com.au.

AVA Voice Interest Group

Yesterday, for the first time, I attended a voice interest group planning meeting.

The group is an Australian Voice Association (AVA) satellite group which meets to discuss voice issues. Comprising entirely of Speech Pathologists on this occasion, they welcomed me with open arms as a representative from another discipline, i.e. singing. (Traditionally, the various exponents of voice-related arts and sciences are not renowned for mixing or sharing their expertise).

The meeting was held in the speech pathology department at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. What would normally be a 10 minute drive into the city from the Studio, took 45 minutes. This was due to various road closures for the Clipsal 500 motor race being held in Adelaide this coming weekend. (By Adelaide standards, a 40 minute drive in the metro area is a hike; a "take-a-picnic-lunch-scenario"......I figured this warranted a take-away soy flat white on the way in!)

The meeting was an encouraging experience for me. We decided we would meet quarterly as a group to discuss case studies and give presentations and talks on various voice-related topics. An open discussion will follow as we share the different approaches we would apply to various scenarios outlined by the presentations.

Yours truly will present a few case studies at the next meeting in May. I will talk about 2 - 3 students who have had vocal problems or experienced inefficient singing for various reasons.

In conclusion

As a singing teacher, I hope my contribution to the group will prove to be useful. The feedback from the Speech Pathologists will be extremely beneficial for my personal professional development. I will be encouraging the teachers at our Studio, and colleagues who are interested in the science, mechanics and problems of the voice, to attend.

I'll keep you updated.

and Leanne Says..........

Singing is a learnt skill. You are not expected to know how to do it until you've been taught.

Leanne's mantra is: "You don't know what you don't know."

The prevalent misconception regarding singing talent is that you either have it or you don't. Put another way: if you don't produce a good sound when you sing, you haven't got what it takes. This could not be further from the truth.

Like anything else, it takes time and effort. Having lessons with a good teacher who can teach you good technique, accompanied by lots of practice, will improve anyone's singing voice.

12 March 2003

LHSS Teachers in musical

Leanne Hoad Singing Studio teachers Allison Bourke and Katie Packer will be performing in the Marie Clark Singers production of:

The King & I

at the Arts Theatre, Cnr. Angas & Moore Streets Adelaide

from May 23, 2003

Tickets $20 Adults, $16 Conc

ph. 8396 4748

Rodgers & Hammerstein first musical play based on a true story was also the first project brought to them by a star who wanted to play the leading role. The star was Gertrude Lawrence, and her idea for a musical came from the highly popular novel, Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon which, in turn, was based on the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, a 19th century Englishwoman who became governess to the children of the King of Siam. Click here for more information on this Rodgers & Hammerstein musical.

Katie Packer will play the role of "Lady Thang" in the above production of "The King & I". Katie's has also performed in other solo roles including Handel's "Messiah", Bach's "St Matthews Passion" and Gilbert & Sullivan Society's "Little Buttercup" & "HMS Pinafore". Katie's association with the LHSS began 7 years ago as a student. Katie went on to complete a Bachelor of Music in Voice (Performance) and has been teaching for the past 4 years.

Allison Bourke will be playing the role of 'Tuptim" in the Marie Clark Singer's production of "The King & I". Allison joined the teaching staff at LHSS in 2002. She has double degrees in Music and Arts from The University of Adelaide. She has had experience as a performer including chamber recitals in the Adelaide Fringe and roles in opera and musical theatre productions.

Student Profile

22 year old Graham Loveday started singing lessons a year ago.

In 2002 Graham performed in Finian's Rainbow and Guys and Dolls for the Northern Light Theatre Company, and Fiddler on the Roof (had the role of Perchik) for the Marie Clark Singers.

Graham has also done West Side Story, The Mikado and Bye, Bye Birdie (played the role of Hugo) for the Northern Light Theatre Company.

He also did Victor/Victoria (had various small parts) for Matt Byrne Media and Almost Anything Goers, revue hosted by Peter Goers.

And the list goes on!

Graham will be performing in:

Gilbert & Sullivan's

H.M.S. Pinafore

at The Arts Theatre, Adelaide

April 24, 25, 26, 30, May 1,2,3, at 8pm. Matinee April 26 & May 3 at 2pm

Book on (08) 8255 0362 Or at BASS 131246

$20 Adults, $18 Conc

And finally for those who are interested........

click here to see full size image

10 March 2003

New CD Classification to be introduced by ARIA and AMRA

The Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) and the Australian Music Retailers Association (AMRA) are introducing a new level 3 classification which will ban the sale of certain CD's to people under the age of 15 from March 2003.

(Note: the current Level 2 restriction merely recommends that a given CD is not suitable for persons under 18 and the current Level 4 prohibits sale to under-18's.

The new Level 3 category prohibits the sale of certain CD's to under-15's.)

Apparently, the decision is in response to concerns that drug use, violence and sexual themes in music have the potential to corrupt young listeners.

It is still to be determined just what music will fall into this new category but, as a guide, some CD's and singles currently classified as level 2, and which carry the 'Warning 18+" sticker, are likely to be included.

The Australian ban has come about largely as a result of complaints by parents. A spokesperson for AMRA said the industry had to take their concerns seriously because - despite the warning stickers - young people were still buying the CD's recommended for over 18s.

It is inevitable, and I think responsible, to ban the sale to minors of songs containing lyrics which are unsuitable for minors. The changes in lyric content will always have to be carefully and constantly assessed by consumers even though it may be packaged in great sounding music. Anything which helps educate consumers to choose wisely should be regarded as a positive step.

I think it's unfortunate, but necessary, that lyrics need classifying in this way. Steps such as the classification of music lyrics will inevitably continue to play an important role in future to help consumers with music purchases.