Marla Aviva Bentley, Soprano

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The Wisdom of Sifu Robert Brown - Five Ways to Success

1. Patience

2. Perseverance

3. Practice Hard

4. Practice Exactly What You Want To Perform

5. Meditation

For more information about Sifu Brown and The School of Chinese Martial Arts visit www.zenmartialarts.com

Colleagues & Friends

Memberships & Affiliations

Resources

The only thing better than singing is more singing. - Ella Fitzgerald

You are born an artist or you are not. And you stay an artist, dear, even if your voice is less of a fireworks. The artist is always there. - Maria Callas

You gotta have a dream. If you don't have a dream, how you gonna make a dream come true? - Oscar Hammerstein II

No two people on earth are alike, and it's got to be that way in music or it isn't music. - Billie Holiday

Being a singer is a natural gift. It means I'm using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use. I'm happy with that. - Aretha Franklin

Resources for Voice Students

GUIDE to approaching song PRACTICE Techniques REPERTOIRE THEORY & Sight singing RECOMMENDED reading & references HISTORY & research

Guide to Approaching Song

These steps should act as a guide to approaching any new song. Not every step is required to learn every song, however, it is my recommendation that one uses the steps to form a solid foundation in study and practice. The order of the steps is logical and sequential, though they may be followed out of order according to the requirements of the repertoire. Please address any questions regarding the process to Mrs. Bentley in your lessons.

1. Research - Research is a crucial first step in beginning any new song. Start by researching the composer - when did he/she live, what type of music did he/she compose, why was this piece composed, was it comissioned and if so, for whom? Research the piece - when was this piece composed, who is the librettist and/or where does the text originate?

2. Translation - If the piece contains text in a foreign language it is imperative that the singer be completely familiar with the translation and meaning of the text. Translate the text word-for-word in the score (always use pencil when marking in a score). Obtain a quality poetic translation of the text and commit it to memory.

Helpful Translation Texts:

The Fischer-Dieskau Book of Lieder by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

Lieder Line-By-Line Volumes I and II Edited by Lois Phillips

Word By Word Translations of Songs and Arias by Berton Coffin

The Ring of Words Edited by Philip Miller

http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/

http://www.aria-database.com/

3. IPA & Pronunciation of Text - IPA or the International Phonetic Alphabet is a universal system of pronouncing consonants, vowels and vowel combinations in any language. Translate all unknown words or phrases in IPA or pronunciation that has meaning to you. Confirm the pronunciation of any "exception" words.

Helpful IPA Texts:

Phonetic Readings of Songs and Arias by Berton Coffin, Ralph Errolle, Werner Singer, Pierre Delattre

International Phonetic Alphabet for Singers: A Manual for English and Foreign Language Diction by Joan Wall

The Singers Manual of English Diction by Madeleine Marshall

http://www.ipasource.com/

4. Score Study - Begin with a broad overview of the music. Note key signature, time signature, tempo markings and any changes in these throughout the score. Mark any repeats, key changes or time signature changes as well as dynamics. Mark your phrasing and where it is appropriate to take a breath. Note changes in the accompanying instruments or texture. Highlight themes and motives. Work from the large scale elements to the small - this will assist in giving you an excellent overall sense of the music.

5. Rhythm - Depending on your level of musicianship, you may need to spend signficant or little time practicing the rhythms of the music. If you are a beginner, look for rhythms that repeat. Practice those individually and then once mastered, move ahead. Practice reading the rhythm by counting("1+2+..." or "1 ee and ah" etc), also practice speaking the text in rhythm. As a beginner, be sure that your rhythmic understanding of the music is solid before moving on to the melody. If your reading skills are more developed, this step may be unnecssary.

6. Melody - Once you have completed the steps above you are ready to sing and focus on the melody. Begin by sight reading the melody in solfege, on letter names or on a neutral syllable like "la". Once you have the melody and intervals mastered add in the text.

PRACTICE!!! You are now ready to practice your repertoire.

Some things to keep in mind… sound should be clear, brilliant and released, made with constant, flowing breath and a definite understanding of the text and context.

Helpful practice techniques

1. Sing through phrase by phrase on lip trill or [v] and then alternate with the text

2. Isolate difficult leaps and practice by sliding from the first pitch to the second on lip trill, then once comfortable remove the slide and practice moving straight , then sing on a neutral vowel, finally text

3. Keep your breath moving always – never allow a note to just sit, notes lasting longer than a beat must move!

4. Practice in front of a mirror so you can observe yourself – singing should be relaxing not stressful, make sure your jaw or facial muscles aren’t getting in the way of your sound. If singing a single vowel your mouth does not need to change positions, allow your jaw to release and make sure you are singing with enough space and lift.

REPERTOIRE:

Link to MSVMA Approved Solo Repertoire List: http://www.msvma.org/handbook/pdf/solo_list.pdf

To Purchase Music see links for Music Publishers & Retailers under Resources

Collections of Songs & Arias

CD Sheet Music - www.cdsheetmusic.com
50 Arts Songs from the Modern Repertoire
Arias for Soprano (available for S/A/T/B)

First Book of Solos (available for S/A/T/B)

Oratorio Anthology (available for S/A/T/B)

Standard Vocal Literature (available S/A/T/B/B)

Standard Vocal Repertoire Volume I & II (available in High or Low)

English

12 Poems of Emily Dickinson

Album of Negro Spirituals (available in High or Low)

American Arias (available for S/A/T/B)

American Folk Songs (available for S/A/T/B)

Anthology of Art Songs by Black American Composers

Contemporary Art Songs

Old American Songs (available in High or Low)

The song/aria collections of Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, G. F. Handel, Henry Purcell, Ralph Vaughn Williams, Benjamin Britten, Amy Beach, Aaron Copland

Italian

26 Italian Songs and Arias (available in Med-High or Med-Low)

Anthology of Italian Opera (available for S/A/T/B)

The song/aria collections of Verdi, Rossini, Donaudy, Donizetti, Bellini

German

50 German Songs (available in High or Low)

Leider Anthology (available in High or Low)

The song collections of Johannes Brahms, Felix Mendelssohn, Fannie Hensel Mendelssohn, W.A. Mozart, Franz Schubert, Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann, Richard Strauss, Hugo Wolf, Beethoven, Robert Franz, Liszt

French

40 French Songs (available in High, Med or Low)

Arias from the 18^th Century – French (available for S/A/T/B)

The Art of French Song (available High or Low)

The song/aria collections of Ernest Chausson, Claude Debussy, Henri Duparc, Gabriel Faure, Jules Massenet, Charles Gounod, Camille Saint-Säens, Georges Bizet

Spirituals/Folk

15 Easy Folk Song Arrangements (available High or Low)

Arrangements by Benjamin Britten, Johannes Brahms, Aaron Copland

Deep River Collection (available High or Low)

Musical Theatre/Operetta

16 Bar Theatre Audition (available for S/A/T/B)

Gilbert & Sullivan for Singers (available for S/A/T/B)

Singer’s Musical Theatre Anthology Volume I, II, III, and IV (available for S/A/T/B)

Collections of Irving Berlin, George & Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, Jason Robert Brown, Stephen Schwartz, Kander & Ebb, Stephen Sondheim

VOCAL HEALTH:

Vocal Health Article http://www.voicefoundation.org/library/vocalhealth.pdf

Voice Foundation http://www.voicefoundation.org/

Voice Problem Site http://www.voiceproblem.org/

THEORY & SIGHT SINGING

For lessons and tutorials for basic music theory: http://www.musictheory.net

For theory and music history and a comprehensive music dictionary: http://www.dolmetsch.com/theoryintro.htm

For ear training / aural theory: http://www.ossmann.com/bigears/

FINALE NOTEPAD

Free Downloadable Music Composition Software http://www.finalemusic.com/notepad/default.aspx

YOUTH THEATRE & CHOIR OPPORTUNITIES

All-of-us Express Children's Theatre
P. O. Box 1871, East Lansing, MI 48826
All-of-us Express Children's Theatre provides young people with an opportunity to produce plays of a professional quality, and to provide the community with an opportunity to enjoy live family-oriented dramatic activities. Classes include: Acting, Advanced (12+); Acting, Introductory (9+); Clowning (12+); Creative Dramatics (6-8); Creative Dramatics (9); Makeup, Basic and Advanced (10+); Stage Combat (12+); Writing Workshop (10+); Drama Camp (6-14).

Ann Arbor Civic Theatre
322 West Ann Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Ann Arbor Young Actors Guild
Offers a season of full-scale productions in a variety of theatrical styles and welcomes student actors into one of its three companies: the Apprentice Company for ages 8 to 13; the Lights Up Company for ages 14 to mid-20s in large-cast, ensemble-style productions; and the Pocket Theater Company for experienced students, ages 14 to mid-20s, interested in small cast productions that are often self-directed. Extensive 2-week summer academy held at U of M.

Canton Youth Theatre with Ever After Productions
Canton Township's new state-of-the-art Village Theater at Cherry Hill offers youth theater programming for young people 5 - 18. Producing two main stage musicals and two studio dramas each season, Canton Youth Theater brings a professional and educational theater experience to local youth. Summer programs for the novice and the advanced round-out performers and student technicians in the off-season.

Cathedral Children's Choir of the Detroit Archdiocese

Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament 9844 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48202

Office 313-865-6300 Email: CathedralChildrensChoir@yahoo.com

Founding Director Carole Mihalo

The Cathedral Children's Choir offers an inspiring professional environment where children can learn musical excellence and practice Christian values.

The Choir will sing at Archdiocesan liturgical celebrations and concert performances throughout the year. The children will also participate in a fall choral retreat, sing at community outreach performances, enjoy get-togethers for social activities, participate in a music merit system and more!

Choir Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 6:30-7:45 p.m., September through June

Chelsea Center for the Arts
400 Congdon St, Chelsea, MI 48118
The CCA provides varied youth theatre workshops and classes.

Children's Ballet Theatre
1235 Center St, Lansing, MI 48906
The Children's Ballet Theatre is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to the existence of a quality, youth-oriented classical ballet company in mid-Michigan. Children from dance studios throughout Michigan are welcome to audition and become members of the company.

Marquis Theatre
133 E. Main St, Northville, MI 48167
The Marquis Theatre is home to the Marquis Theatre Children, a talented group of youth who continue to entertain young audiences with excellence in children's theatre. The Marquis Theatre offers a day camp for youth ages 7-14.

Michigan Opera Theatre - Learning at the Opera House Summer Programs

Call (313) 237-3270. Detroit Opera House 1526 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226
Programs for young people and adults in Opera, Operetta, Musical Theater, Writing, Music Composition, Performance & Movement, Art, Poetry, Live Performance and Recital. Classes begin July, 2007.

MOSAIC Youth Theatre of Detroit
610 Antoinette Street, Detroit, MI 48202
MOSAIC offers theatrical training to youth throughout metropolitan Detroit in conjunction with the Detroit Recreation Department and has established a summer theatrical training program at Wayne County Community College's Northwest Campus.

Motor City Youth Theatre
The Grantland Street Playhouse, 27555 Grantland, Livonia, MI 48150
MCYT is a 501(c)(3) group offering workshops, full productions, and training in musical theatre and drama to children ages 5 to adult.

The Children's Dance Theatre Inc.
27567 Warren Rd, Garden City, MI 48135
(734) 522-1019

The Community House Youth Theatre
380 South Bates, Birmingham, MI 48009
Offers a year-round Theatre Curriculum. Children ages 8-12 years may sign up for the "Popcorn Players: Putting on a Performance" workshop which is offered quarterly. Also, grade school and high school student auditions are held in the fall and winter for the Sara Smith Youth Theatre Productions. During the summer, TCH Theatre Camp offers the Jr. and Sr. camper extensive musical theatre training.

Tree of Life Cultural Arts Studio
6065 Sibley Rd, Chelsea, MI 48118
info@treeoflifestudio.org, (734) 433-0697
Theatre Moves classes for ages 7-11, both full series and drop-in rates available

Wayne City Parks & Recreation
4635 Howe Rd, Wayne, MI 48184

Wild Swan Theater
416 W. Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Wild Swan is a professional repertory theater company which produces and performs original plays for children and their families, with a season that runs September through July. Wild Swan runs two day camp programs for children during the summer that incorporate theater activities--"Camp Doyawanna," and "Trio Grande,” in conjunction with the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and the Ann Arbor Art Center.

Young People’s Theater
540 Avis Dr, Ste D, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Offers theatre workshops for ages 5 through high school, a theatre choir for fifth grade through high school, theatre productions for ages 8 through high school, and summer theatre camp for ages 5 through high school. Students learn all aspects of theatre production, including acting, music, choreography, lighting, sound, and costume design. Some need-based scholarships are available.

Youth Dance Theatre of Michigan
P.O. Box 5, Chelsea, MI 48118
Youth Dance Theatre seeks to provide professional caliber dance training through master classes, performance opportunities and enrichment to young students, helping to nurture strong minds and healthy bodies in an artistic environment.

List provided by http://www.purplerosetheatre.org/youth.html

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED READING & REFERENCES

A career guide for singers - published by Opera America

A Performer Prepares: A Guide to Song Preparation for Actors, Singers and Dancers by David Craig

An Actor Prepares by Constantine Stanislavski

Audition: Everything and Actor Needs to Know to Get the Part by Michael Shurtleff

Auditioning for the Musical Theatre by Fred Silver

Complete Preparation: A Guide to Auditioning for Opera by Joan Dornemann

On Performing : A Handbook for Actors, Dancers, Singers on the Musical Stage by David Craig

Power Performance for Singers by Shirlee Emmons

The Inner Game of Music by Berry Green

The Psychology of Singing by Al Berkman