If talent had a semi-solid form, it would have oozed from between the very bricks of North Battleford's Third Avenue United Church last week.
Thelandmark church's complex of recital halls and stages, plus the acoustically superb sanctuary, rang with the sounds of song and laughter of the 2010 Summer School for the Solo Voice July 10 to 16. It was the 10th to be held in the last 13 years, directed by mezzo-soprano Lisa Hornung, who operates her world-wide career out of the Battlefords.
Each year, she gathers together a talented group of faculty and dedicated staff to provide studies in vocal technique and performance for singers, teachers, accompanists and choral conductors. The program facilitates all ages and levels of experience and knowledge age 12 and older. Although largely attended by school age students, it is also attended by adults eager to learn from the faculty's wide experience.
What might you learn? Singers might learn when it is correct, and when it is not, to roll the "r" in Italian. The difference in phrasing between Medieval and Baroque music. How to expand your ribs without holding your breath. How to smile even when you are singing a sad song. How to deal with stage nerves. Correct body alignment, and the physical care of your vocal chords.
Accompanists might learn to establish a rapport with their performers, and all the etiquette that goes with performing as a duo, and musical theatre enthusiasts may be asked to find "yet another" way to portray "hungry."
Participants comes from across the western provinces. Virtually all of the participants have talent to spread around, such as Adrianne Dechief of Estevan, who sings, dances, plays piano, flute and saxophone, and is a top student academically.
"I really learned a lot," she said of her first year at the school. She decided to attend after Hornung adjudicated at a music festival in Estevan.
"We had a fantastic week," said Hornung at the finale recital. Several recitals were held throughout the week as an integral part of the learning process for the students.
Next year, Hornung hopes to expand the summer school's accompanist program as well as the speech arts program. Each year, she explained, the program differs according to feedback from the students and what the next year's students are looking for.
She thanked Third Avenue United Church for making the school welcome, and for supporting the music community throughout the year.
She also thanked the faculty who, she said, make their services available for far less than their usual fee for the joy of interacting with such a terrific group, sharing knowledge and seeing it make a difference.
"It's amazing what we get back," said Hornung.
For more photos from the Summer School for Solo Voice visit our photo gallery feature under the community tab.
