Dear Editor: Thank you very much for your excellent editorial “Should You Throw a Diva Tantrum?” I also read the Steven Blier piece in Opera News with great interest, and I feel that you touched on a very important subject.
—Kristina B. Valcarce, soprano, via e-mail
Dear Editor: A very special thank you for the November article in Classical Singer on the subject of PMS and the voice. It is about time that this delicate subject is openly discussed and acknowledged by the singing community. So many singers suffer from PMS-related vocal problems but do not know where to turn for help. I hope that opening more doors on this important subject will aid in finding more solutions. Also, thank you for your suggestions in the article on how to manage PMS with alternative medicine. I recently turned to herbal remedies and have found them helpful. Again, thank you, and bravo to Ms. Fiona Chatwin.
—Randa Rouweyha, via e-mail
Dear Editor: I find it appalling that Des Moines Opera would charge an $18 non-refundable fee when you apply to audition, whether you actually get the opportunity to audition for them or not. Eighteen dollars to process an application! Secretarial wages must really be high in Des Moines. It is bad enough that singers have to pay for the privilege of auditioning, but $18 for a “maybe” is outrageous. And am I going to pay this fee? Of course, because I, like so many of my wonderfully talented friends, NEED TO and should be singing. So, as I bite my trilling tongue and kick myself at the frustration of not being able to do anything about such practices, I’ll now go and get ready for my “maybe” Des Moines audition. Obviously and unfortunately, please don’t use my name because if you speak out…well, you know the rest. Onward—to singing! Thanks for letting me vent.
—Name Withheld
Dear Editor: I have had a career in New York, Boston and finally the Southwest. I teach voice now at a community college. I have done leading opera roles, concerts and lectures. My regret is that I didn’t have a magazine like yours to help me in advance. Thank you for your wonderful articles.
—Virginia England, Dallas, TX
Dear Editor: Finally a central source of information for the aspiring professional! Your magazine is essential for every singer, teacher and coach. Thank you!
—Dan Bridston, Glendale, CA
Dear Editor: The classified ads are the one thing that has grown considerably since I became a subscriber. It is the most useful part of the magazine.
—Name Withheld
Dear Editor: I really enjoy the magazine and have learned a lot from it. I especially like the interviews with well-known singers and the advice they give.
—Ellie O’Donnell, Bloomington, IL
Dear Editor: How about a section for “upcoming masterclasses?” In my experience, I have only come across masterclasses through word-of-mouth or my friend who works at Juilliard.
—Helene Fitzpatrick, Mt. Vernon, NY
You have a terrific idea, but the section could grow to be enormous unless we were to find a way to distinguish between masterclasses by the famous and masterclasses by regular teachers/singers. Everyone would want a listing, and there would be a lot of hurt feelings if we took it upon ourselves to decide who goes in and who doesn’t!
Dear Editor: The magazine is VERY slow getting here. By the time it gets here, it’s too late for most of the auditions, etc.
—Name Withheld
We note from your address that you don’t live in the U.S. It does take longer for mail to reach singers in other countries, and there isn’t much we can do about that. Singers who get their publication late in the U.S. need to complain to their post office because, except for January’s issue which was delayed due to problems obtaining editorial content, we mail on time. We have recently fallen behind in getting the web editions of each issue on the website. By the time you read this we should be up to date (or close to it.)
Dear Editor: I can hardly wait for each new magazine. Articles are excellent, interviews great. So informative. Keep up the good work!
—Mary Lou Muratori, Binghamton, NY
Dear Editor: Fascinating mag. I recommend it to all my singing friends. The articles are so pertinent to singing today. I originally ordered the mag for the audition section but was pleasantly surprised by the depth and range of articles. I also appreciate the serious and informative replies to my e-mails. Maybe there’s a way for fellow singers to correspond?
—Name Withheld, New York, NY
Many singers are already corresponding on the forum at www.classicalsinger.com. There is also an e-mail list called CSPeakPerf@topica.com for singers who are working on goals together [send an e-mail to subscribeCSpeakperf@topic.com]. You should also make sure that you are a member of the Classical Singer Community. You join that when your e-mail address is entered on our website homepage at www.classicalsinger.com. As a member of the community, you can participate in creating many of our articles. For example, this entire issue on summer programs was put together using a questionnaire we submitted to our mailing list of 9,800 singers. You want correspond? You get correspond!
Dear Editor: I so very much appreciate a highly professional and ethical lifeline to our business that you have created and expanded over all these years. It takes nine lives to land on your feet through it all. You have earned my eternal admiration and support.
—Carole Anne Blum, Glendale, CA
Dear Editor: I find the magazine very informative. Dr. Anthony Jahn is enough for me to continue subscribing to the magazine, because he has given me so many healthful thoughts on keeping my voice in good singing condition.
—Name Withheld, New York, NY
Dear Editor: There is discernable improvement in your interviews and articles. Congratulations and thanks.
—Name Withheld, Atlanta, GA
Dear Editor: I overall feel very thankful to CS for sharing other singers’ health, confidence, career, vocal and family issues. It helps me feel less lonely in my path, struggles and epiphanies. However I would love CS to organize a connection between singers on a more local scale, connecting people who live in the same area so that we can share information on what is available (masterclasses, NATS meetings, local competitions and workshops, etc.) I find CS too centered around NY so far and would need forums or articles for Los Angeles (in my case).
—Name Withheld, West Hollywood, CA
We did an issue on this very topic, wherein we highlighted all the associations we knew about: Boston, Ohio, New York and as luck would have it, Los Angeles! The one in your area is by coincidence, called “The Classical Singer Association.” See the April issue 2002 for more info. Subscribers can access all back issues on the website.
Dear Editor: This magazine is always in the waiting area of my studio and is read regularly by my students. It is provocative and inspiring and reassuring and informative. A bargain even for my poor Canadian dollars!
—Elsie Hepburn, Edmonton, CAN
Dear Editor: I love this magazine. The articles especially on vocal health are wonderful. I read every page, every square inch and enjoy every word. Keep up the good work!
—Dr. Trucilla Sabatino, Bethlehem, PA
