The Developing Classical Singer Wednesday, April 18, 2018
recommended by Jennifer F., Classical Vocal Music Specialist
The Developing Classical Singer was compiled from the rich choices in the Boosey & Hawkes catalogue, with songs in English by British and American composers. The selection of songs is for the teenage voice, or an early level collegiate singer, or an adult amateur taking voice lessons.
The songs were chosen with some specific issues in mind: vocal ranges that are not extreme, and musical challenges that are manageable for a singer at this level. Beyond art song, also included are folksong arrangements, such as those by Aaron Copland and Benjamin Britten, which are fully composed in the spirit of an art song, designed for a classical voice.
There are different compilations for each voice type: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor and Baritone. Some cornerstone songs are in all volumes, because of their beauty and appropriateness for any voice. These include Britten’s “O Waly, Waly;” Ireland’s “Spring Sorrow;” Britten’s realization of Purcell’s “I attempt from love’s sickness to fly;” Quilter’s “Weep you no more;” and Vaughan Williams’ “Bright is the ring of words.” Original keys of the songs were considered, but since nearly every composer of art song is not opposed to transposition, original keys were not a confining factor in which volume a song lands.
Each volume also provides suggested pedagogical reasons for assigning each selection, such as vocal agility, breath support for a long phrase, building an expressive legato phrase, expanding vocal range, dynamic contrasts, sensitively expressing poetry, building musicianship, and personality and storytelling.
Find more vocal music on our website, or contact us for more information. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!
About the Author:
Jennifer F. is a graduate of Otterbein College with a degree in Vocal Performance. She has worked at Stanton’s for over 14 years specializing in Sacred Choral, Classical Vocal and Handbell music. Jennifer is a soprano section leader in the Chancel Choir at First Community Church in Columbus Ohio, and is also the founder, Artistic Director and bass bell ringer for Handbells Columbus.