News

Click the news buttons on the right hand side of the page to read the news items:

27-04-2009 ‘Snoring position and twang’

… and these are just two of the new terms that will remain with us for days to come. On the incredibly sunny Sunday April 19, Harjo Pasveer gave his master class. The aim of the master class: to improve our choral tone in this relatively quiet period.

After our first cup of coffee and the usual introductions, the day started with a thorough explanation of a singers’ posture, anatomy of the head and neck area and the mutual relationship between both essential parts of singing. All was enriched with examples from pop and classical music, jazz and country.

In the afternoon, our individual requests were addressed, including the voice breaking, volume control and the role of and harmony within each of the voice groups. By means of counting out loud, both individually and together as a group (from soft to loud and back again, without losing the same intensity) we discovered our volume control. Funny at first (and hilarious for those outside), but it proved very useful to all of us.

At the end of the day, two pieces from our existing repertoire were rehearsed incorporating all we learned during the day. Fragments of the same piece were performed in various ways. We changed both voice and positions (producing sound as if we were snoring, producing sound like the voice of the above-average Santa, adding a little bit of twang, arms raised, facing forward, opened up and alongside our bodies (where they usually are)All in all a lot of experimenting!

The entire day was very intense. We received a lot of information and we are still talking about that particular day on every rehearsal. Personally, I would be in favor of another of Harjo’s visits. As newcomer it was a great opportunity to get to know the guys better - apart from the rehearsals and the frequent last orders at the bar - and to work on a joint effort to improve our choral tone!

Marcel Slavenburg

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ORDER NOW!
Our wonderful Christmas CD ‘In Dulci Jubilo’, recorded at the Grote of Sint
Maartenskerk in Zaltbommel, can now be ordered by completing our Contact Form.



Please complete the Contact Form and indicate the number of CDs, your name and address details and transfer 15 euros to our account 5213277 for the attention of RJMK De Coolsingers in Rotterdam. We will forward the CD upon receipt of the appropriate amount!