Magic Sing Blog

I have seen so many talented young singers on television, some of whom are less than twelve years old! There’s this one child singer I heard on the news, a Filipina singer, who was seen on YouTube by a staff of Ellen DeGeneres’ show and invited her to fly all the way from Manila to sing in Ellen’s show. I’ve heard she has also perfomed in Oprah. Wow. And she’s only a kid.

Is is common for parents to enroll their children in different activities during summer breaks, and because of these the talents of the kids are uncovered. Some become good singers or dancers or musicians because they were trained early. When it comes to singing there three categories of a child singer fall under.

Category One includes children for whom singing is but one activity to which they are exposed along with other disciplines such as mathematics, science, history, language, physical education, art, dance, and spirituality. For them, gaining an appreciation of and experience in the recreational joy of singing may be sufficient. Venues where this exposure occurs include home, school, and places of worship.

Category Two includes children for whom singing is a recreational activity they wish to pursue more intensely. These children may express an interest in private voice lessons to improve basic vocal techniques and develop repertoire. Venues include select choirs and choruses, and solo opportunities in school, clubs, sporting events, and places of worship.

Category three includes children for whom singing is a professional or pre-professional activity that subjects their vocal technique, performance skills, and repertoire to highly critical evaluation and scrutiny. For these chidlren to deal successfully with the added physical and emotional demands a singing career requires, formal voice training should be considered a necessity. Venues include opera, music theater, recording, pageants, film, radio, and television.

Singing is a regular and usual pursuit of interest for a great number of children. It is good to encourage children how to sing. Like any other activity where children are involved in, like sports or art or music, singing can be accomplished on many levels from recreational to professional. Still, at all levels there should be suitable and trained teachers capable and eager to help child singers reach their destinations on their musical journeys. (:

I came across the website of American Academy of Teachers of Singing and I found out that since 1922, the year of its founding, the academy has been actively writing and disseminating papers on all subjects pertaining to the teaching of singing. Their articles would be very helpful to already singers and those who want to have a career in singing.

I’d like to share what they have to recommend about auditions for the singer which may be very helpful to those hopeful aspirants.

APPLY FOR AN AUDITION ONLY WHEN READY

Generally speaking, no singers should either apply for or make auditions unless their own mature consideration and that of their teachers indicate that they are ready. Being ready means being adequately advanced vocally, musically, interpretatively, and artistically.

Singers should not allow themselves to be influenced by parents, friends or others who may encourage them to enter an audition before being fully prepared. Being heard too soon may be dangerous because many organizations keep records of their auditions. A poor rating and an unfavorable impression may jeopardize subsequent chances. On the other hand, singers who are prepared should not avoid auditions, because they will profit from the many values presented by such a test of their ability.

PREPARE THOROUGHLY FOR EVERY AUDITION

After deciding to enter an audition, singers should carefully study the demands in the special field to which the audition leads and prepare thoroughly in order to satisfy these demands in every detail. If application forms must be submitted, it is important to see that they are completed exactly as requested by the sponsor of the audition.

The material selected for performance should be suitable to the type of audition. Songs or arias should be thoroughly familiar to the singer and should have been sung previously, preferably in public. The material chosen should be well within the singer’s present abilities, and show the singer’s strengths. Whether one song or a full recital program is being offered, ALL MATERIAL MUST BE MEMORIZED. It is of utmost importance to have the assistance of an excellent accompanist; and to have sufficient rehearsal.

IMPORTANT ESSENTIALS TO BE OBSERVED BY SINGERS AT AUDITIONS

Keep in mind that singers are seen before being heard. Singers should therefore present a good appearance from the moment the audition begins until it finishes, i.e., good posture, poise, an alert, attentive, and self-conscious manner.

Singers should dress appropriately for the type of audition being made. They should be prompt, but not upset by a lack of promptness on the part of the judges, or by any other annoyances that may occur. It is well to be on hand about ten or fifteen minutes early.
Because singers are generally allowed to choose the first song or aria, this choice should have been made in advance. It should be adhered to unless there are very compelling reasons for a last minute change. An agent or manager could interfere or override the choice of material decided on by teacher and singer, and the singer must be prepared for this.

Singers should avoid making apologies for physical or vocal condition, for lack of rehearsal with the accompanist, or for any other reason, because judges are not sympathetic to excuses. If singers are unable to do themselves justice for any reason, they should state the fact, not sing, and ask for another appointment if that can be arranged.

Judges may sometimes be prejudiced or uninformed, but singers should keep in mind that future audiences, too, may not always be intelligent, receptive, or fair. After the audition singers should not worry about the result It is well to discuss the performance with the teacher in order to extract benefit from the audition, but otherwise, time is better spent in preparing for the next audition.

Here’s About.com’s Top songs for moms this mother’s day.
Mom is usually the first and most frequent musician for a baby or young child. Many songs celebrate the relationship between mother and child and here are some of the best.

1. Use a Napkin, Not Your Mom
“Use a Napkin, Not Your Mom” is both a song and the title of this CD by Kathy Kallick. Kathy’s style is a mixture of bluegrass and folk music.

2. Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody
“Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody” include versions from Mandy Patinkin, Judy Garland, Al Jolson? Cher, Brenda Lee, and Aretha Franklin.

3. “Mockingbird” by Peter, Paul and Mary
“Hush little baby, don’t say a word…”
This is a classic lullaby by a classic group - Peter, Paul and Mary. It’s on a CD called Peter, Paul and Mommy. There’s also a Peter, Paul and Mommy Too.

4. A Mother’s Prayer - Carnie Wilson featuring Jim Brickman
Carnie Wilson’s first solo album is all about Motherhood. “A Mother’s Prayer” features the wonderful Jim Brickman on piano along with Carnie’s gorgeous voice and lovely lyrics. Carnie is the former member of Wilson-Phillips and the daughter of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.

5. Meltdown by Justin Roberts
“Meltdown” by Justin Roberts explores how even Moms are prone to meldowns at times.
“…I’ll stop the world and melt down with you.”

6. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (Olivia Newton-John)
This is one of the ultimate songs of motherly advice and love. Olivia Newton-John does it beautifully. It’s on her lullaby album called “Warm and Tender.” The song is originally from the musical “Carousel” - written by Rodgers and Hammerstein and sung in the movie by Shirley Jones.

7. “There’s a Pea on my Plate” (Bill Harley)
In my estimation the two biggest power struggles between mother and child involve bedtime and vegetables. “There’s a Pea on my Plate” is a lament from the child about mom’s persistence in the interest of her child’s health.

8. “Mama” by Il Divo
“Mama thank you for who I am
Thank you for all the things I’m not
Forgive me for the words unsaid
For the times I forgot…”
Wow. This is an amazing group and an unbelievably beautiful song.

 Here’s more mother’s day songs (from AC):

1. Celine Dion- Because you loved me
2. Good Charlotte- Thank you mom
3. Cheap Trick- Surrender
4. Lynyrd Skynyrd- Simple man
5. Shirelles- Mama said there’d be days like this
6. Boys 2 men- Momma
7. Aretha Franklin- A mothers love
8. Josh Groban- You raise me up
9. Kenny Rogers- Through the years
10. Garth Brooks- A friend to me
11. Bette Midler- Wind beneath my wings
12. Cyndi Lauper- I want a mom that will last forever
13. Jaime O’neal- Somebody’s hero
14. Billy Joel- Just the way you are
15. Elvis Presley- The wonder of you
16. Pink Floyd- Mother
17. Sinead O’Connor- Nothing compares to you
18. Lionel Ritchie- Three times a lady
19. Aerosmith- Angel
20. Enrique Eglesis- Hero

Why not get your Magic Sing and serenade your mothers on their special day! Happy mother’s day!