Mount Gambier Choral Society in conjunction with Country Arts sa is delighted to announce that two Vocal Workshops will take place at the Wehl Street Theatre on 27th August 2011.

Adjudicators for Showcase 2011 Ms Norma Knight and Ms Trace Tucker will each facilitate a two hour vocal workshop in their respective areas of expertise - Norma, Music Theatre and Trace, Jazz

The Workshops will provide a unique opportunity, particularly for the youth in the South East Region, as well as performers who will be in the region at the time, to have access to talented performers/teachers who are willing to share their knowledge and skills in this format. Participants will experience a variety of techniques in voice production and versatility (vital in the pursuit of good vocal health) as well as creativity in the practice of singing. Both Ms Tucker and Ms Knight believe that vocal health and versatility are the keys to a successful singing career. The Workshops will also have a strong focus on Auditioning Skills.

Throughout the workshops participants may be given the opportunity to perform a song of their own choice, the facilitators will critique and develop the singer in front of other workshop attendees. In this situation they will be able to assist the performers in their journey towards what they refer to as the development of young singers. In doing this the confidence as well as tension and bad habits will be addressed, ultimately ensuring the singers that they will know and trust what is going to come out when they open their mouth to sing. Attendees will also be taken through group teaching activities pertinent to the genre: e.g. improvisation and scatting for Jazz and characterisation development for Music Theatre.

Both facilitators will demonstrate vocal technique suited to their field - Ms Knight proficient in the areas of Music Theatre and Classical performance and Ms Tucker better known in the South East Region as Trace Canini is an accomplished Jazz Singer, Performer, Vocal teacher and Vocal Coach.

Emerging singers in the South East of South Australia and Western Victoria will benefit from this first hand wisdom and experience.

Participants will experience a variety of creativity, technique and skill in the practice of singing.

Participants will receive instruction and constructive criticism and advice to improve their individual performance standards and development in a Workshop situation. This advice will be able to be developed by participants when they return to their own teachers for lessons. It is anticipated that the majority of the local singing teachers will also attend the Workshops and so they also will receive the advice and skills being imparted to their students.

Expertise offered in this manner is done so in a non-threatening environment. Participants will be given the opportunity to practise the advice with either facilitator in the room which ensures that there is an understanding of what is being advised. These skills will then be developed over time.

Auditioning skills will be invaluable to students who will be facing auditions for places in conservatoriums of music and arts schools within the near future. As teachers currently working in the music industry in Adelaide, they will be able to impart vital information in this area to those students who are keen to undertake further study at a Conservatorium of Music or Acting/Performing Schools in any of the major centres throughout Australia. This knowledge will be invaluable to those who wish to make a career in singing/performing.

Participants will view these Workshops as a major part of their preparation for entrance to and study in a Conservatorium of Music and/or an Arts/Drama School and also include evidence of their attendance at the workshop in their resume.

Ms Knight's Music Theatre Workshop will take place at the Wehl Street Theatre between 10.00 am and 12.00 noon on Sunday 28th August and Ms Tucker's Jazz Workshop will run between 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm on the same date. All interested members of the community are invited to attend.

Mount Gambier Choral Society is subsidising Registration costs to support and encourage the youth of the Region to be involved in workshops facilitated be performers and teachers of the calibre of Ms Knight and Ms Tucker.

To be involved in these workshops, please complete the downloadable Registration Form below and return before 18th August, to -

"Vocal Workshops"
P.O. Box 848,
MOUNT GAMBIER,
S.A. 5290

Cheques or Money Orders are to be made payable to Mount Gambier Choral Society Inc.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH WITH YOUR REGISITRATION FORM.