2007 – Page 7

What type of school should you attend for your undergrad and grad degrees? What do you do after you finish your degree? How do you face the uncertainties of a singing profession? In her quarterly column, world-renowned soprano Ana María Martinez addresses these and other questions posed to her by singers. If you have a question you’d like Ms. Martinez to address in a future column, e-mail your question to editorial@classicalsinger.com.

Planning and preparing for your student recital can be a daunting task—but it doesn’t have to be. Turn it in to something incredible—both to prepare and perform—by following Shirlee Emmons’ excellent advice. From securing a place and date and selecting the right repertoire to wearing the perfect outfit, find everything you need to know for pulling off a wonderfully successful recital.

CS’ favorite Met violinist returns with tales from his Juilliard days. The dilemmas Les Dreyer faced so many years ago are the same dilemmas many students face today: performance versus teaching as a career, and the challenges— for singers or instrumentalists—of music education degrees and musicology courses.

Social and academic pressure can make college a stressful time. Add long hours in the practice room, a rigorous rehearsal schedule, constant critiquing, and intense competition into the mix, and the life of a college studentsinger can be even more challenging. You can find balance and maintain your emotional sanity amidst the craziness. Wilma Wever shares several terrific strategies that will help.

I love all of the seasons, but there’s something particularly special about fall. When the sultry heat of summer slowly subsides and a crisp coolness infuses the air, I can’t

Submit entries to the bulletin board by e-mail at bulletinboard@classicalsinger.com.

If you have been fortunate enough to have a great public or private music education in your youth, the university “theory core” and musicianship entrance exams may not pose any significant threat to your wellbeing. If, however, you didn’t get much theory with your vocal or choral training, now is the time for you to prepare.

Your college years are often the most critical time for fi nding a voice teacher to lay the foundation for the singer
you will become. In essence, choosing the right teacher can make or break your career. In this conclusion of a
two-part article, Cindy Sadler takes you through the signs for determining whether a teacher is right for you
and how to “break up” when and if that time comes.

So you’ve decided to pursue a degree in vocal performance. What school is best for you? How important is fi nding the right teacher when considering possible schools? How will you pay for your education? How can you find out about scholarships and fi nancial aid? Should you go on to pursue a master’s degree or doctorate? Angela Myles Beeching, career counselor at the New England Conservatory, provides a host of answers to these and many other questions facing the college-bound singer.

As many singers head to conservatory this fall, it is worth examining some of the pros and cons of studying voice in that environment. A snapshot of two very different singers will get you thinking about how to make the most of your time in school so you can develop, according to Verdi, the three most important qualities in a singer: voice, voice, and voice.

A voice teacher is the most important person on your team (other than you) and choosing the right one can make or break your career. In this, the first part of a two-part article, Cindy Sadler takes you through the steps for finding a teacher that’s right for you.

Vladimir Chernov’s illustrious career as one of the world’s most renowned baritones has spanned more than 25 years. Chernov has dedicated his life to music, has striven to perfect his craft, and is now sharing what he has learned with his UCLA students. In this edition of Classical Singer, Chernov’s colleagues talk about the road he traveled to become a university professor, his students talk about his gift of communication, and Chernov reminisces about his life, his career, and the technique he is passing on to future generations.