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The VOCAL FREEDOM INSTITUTE is a forty-eight plus (48+) hour week-long comprehensive study. The purpose of the Vocal Freedom Institute is to begin investing my life studies (fifty + years of intense comprehensive research) by mentoring and developing choral directors (and interested singers) that are truly interested in and wanting to learn not only how to improve their personal voice, but also gain a more efficient and effective understanding how to work with individual singers and choral groups of all ages (not just chase notes and bang out rhythms)! The greatest thrill as a choral director is learning how to free the human voice and bring a choral sound into brilliant "one-ness!" When a director can take an "average group of singers".....no matter the age or background of a choral ensemble (four or more) and create unusual mature beauty and loveliness - is undoubtedly the most thrilling, rewarding, inspirational expressions a director can experience as a leader of singers! All directors should constantly strive for the "singer's formant." The singer's formant is a brilliant ringing resonance that is attainable from all singers when a singer allows the coordination of the total vocal process. This is discussed in detail during the Institute. There are hundreds and tens of thousands of choir directors who are hungry and very serious about finding more effective and efficient ways of developing a vocal technique, but have either never had the opportunity to delve deeply into vocal pedagogy and/or never had the training to develop a clearer understanding how to sing freely, powerfully, and beautifully as well as helping others do so. In undergraduate and graduate school, an individual majoring in music usually just scratches the surface in half way gaining some slight information about vocal production. In undergraduate degrees in music a student is lucky if they have one two-your course in Vocal Pedagogy! On the Master's level, usually one more two hour course is required! Many heads of music departments assign (at random) a professor to be responsible for teaching the course in vocal pedagogy. It is totally impossible to teach vocal science in one semester. Usually, they work primarily with one text book. When you think about the unusual complexity of the vocal process, we deal with acoustics, anatomy, psychology, functional physiology, neurology, self esteem, self image, attitude, maturity, strong wills, habits of incorrect production, desire, discipline, determination and so much more. Also, it is only a two hour semester course! This is the very reason I do not recommend that you just "go to a college or university" with a music department, but find the best vocal technician that can help you gain common sense, practical concepts and techniques in gaining an understanding how to develop the human voice! They are out there, but you really have to search hard to find them. There are many "choral" directors that were instrumental majors with no understanding in voice science! They do a good job with interpretation, phrasing, attacks and releases. Also, they are very astute in rhythm and intervals. Usually an instrumental player can out sight read those who were voice majors. During the fifty plus (50+) hours of comprehensive study in vocal training, each participant will be given private lessons with the entire class (minimum of ten and maximum of twenty-five "ONLY") will be observing. Discussion from the participants will be highly encouraged about each singer. All private lessons will be video taped for each individual to have for additional personal study. Each participant is asked to bring several songs to sing. Accompaniment tracts will be permitted. Individuals will need to bring several "VHS" blank video tapes. A special eighty plus (80+) page notebook has been prepared for each registrant for additional studies. Other materials will be given out in class. Detailed note taking will be required by all. There will be lots of time for discussion about the many facets of vocal training for all ages! Congenial cooperation and willingness to consider changing previous, ingrained, incorrect vocal sounds in vocal production will be extremely necessary. Singers do not "break habits", they establish "new ones!" Also, we ask that all registrants come with an open teachable spirit. No individual will be allowed to monopolize the discussion times by "chasing rabbits" with individual personal hang-ups, however, reasonable . "Early bird" pre-paid registration will be $275.00! Deadline for the early registration will be four weeks before the Institute date. After the deadline for early bird, the cost will be $475.00 per person. The host group will provide a private home for lodging (only) for "early bird" registrants if requested. No meals or travel will be provided.
The Institute will be primarily concerned with giving all participants simplistic guidelines with ways and means for gathering a true understanding of : 1. The Energy Source. (not breath support)! The singer builds compression in the lungs. 2. The Phonatory Process. Audible utterance of free sounds. 3. Diction. In English- we do not sing "vowels", we sing pure vowel sounds. There are sixteen pure vowel sounds and twenty five consonant sounds in English! Singing is "super pronunciation of emotionalized speech - beautifully sustained!" 4. The Resonating Instrument. We produce the fundamental frequency with the vocal folds. We greatly enhance the sound of the voice in the vocal tract. 5. The Vibrato. When a singer sings, there is less stress on the thyroaryteniods (two sets: the ventricular bands -which are the false vocal folds, and the true vocal folds- not vocal chords) when singing with a vibrato than a straight tone. Also, there is much more beauty when the vocal mechanism establishes a correctly produced vibrato. As all tones emitted by most singers are to some degree faulty, the success of teaching and learning depends upon an intensive program of changing habitual coordinative processes that are incorrect. The removal of psychological barriers is certainly not easy. We do not break habits, we replace them with new ones. A singer must be willing to "free their personal aesthetic judgment" those pre-conceived notions and ideas individuals consider correct. New habits have to be established for progress to be accomplished. This unusual highly intense week of "in-depth" study will make all participants different directors! They will go back to their places of teaching either in schools or churches capable of establishing total new sounds from their groups of all ages. Not only will their choirs sing differently, their individual voices will be making sounds much more attractive than before the Institute. I promise! ******************
An open letter to serious choir directors and interested singers: Oliver Wendell Holmes made a very sad statement: "Most people die with the music still in them!" This is truly a sad statement indeed. Many choir members sing for years and years and never make improvements with their voices. Choir directors always ask me: "HOW CAN I TEACH MY CHOIR TO SOUND BETTER?" Since 1982 I have been traveling across America helping and sharing with directors, that is, those with a teachable spirit (during the seminar, they learn more than their singers) gain a clearer understanding of how to help their choir members "find the voice God has given them to PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!" Born in 1930 and still on the cutting edge with a freely produced voice, but practically nearing the end of a wonderful ministry, there is a strong desire to "MENTOR" many serious directors that want to enhance their professional leadership and growth as a choral director as they learn more trenchant concepts in establishing correct vocal production of all ages/ Children four years of age through senior adults can sing beautifully with a well produced voice even with vibrato. Singing is not a talent or gift, it is a "hidden capacity" ....not revealed for total lack of knowledge and understanding of vocal freedom. Singing truly is a skill. It is also a "well developed craft! The VOCAL FREEDOM INSTITUTE will be offering to all registrants a buffet (like a large smorgasbord) of effective information with simple concepts and techniques, which will be applicable in teaching all of a directors choirs. It will be valuable not only to help your personal voice improve, but for the gathering of incisive tools to help directors for the rest of their entire ministry! Each registrant will receive an eighty plus (80+) page notebook I have prepared with lots of important information that can be used as a reference for many years down the road. The age old proverb: give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime!" This statement certainly can apply to God's singers everywhere when music directors gain deeper understanding and become equipped in the area of vocal pedagogy. By the way, it takes a very long time to gather effective information and learn the application for Vocal Freedom.....not only for yourself as a singer, but particularly, teaching others. No individual will ever have all the answers! I certainly do not. The organization hosting the Institute will be responsible for enlisting various age groups who will be used for demonstration purposes. This will be a great teaching time to show that even children four years of age can produce lovely attractive tones while singing and do so in a very short time with the right instructions. The same concepts applies to those of all ages. Teaching correct vocal production to groups of all ages with exciting ways of creating full, rich, resonant sounds using the basic fundamentals of "mind-body" coordination as it relates to the human adjustment and use of the brain! We can never train the voice, it is bones, cartilages, muscle strain the brain.....not the voice! Throughout the week, we will be studying the details of the vocal process (along with helping many of the participants with their speaking voice) and it's function as applied to functional physiology, neurology, psychology, acoustics, etc.! All participants will receive several individual lessons (as time permits). All lessons will e video taped, therefore, everyone will need to bring a VHS blank video tape. Open group discussions will follow each lesson. Positive, helpful, constructive criticism will be encouraged from all participants; questions directed to Mr. Holcomb and others during the Institute. When one thinks about being away from their work for a week of intense study, many times they think that they are needed at the office! We all need to realize that we are all indispensable! When we think we are needed...."stick your finger in a bowl of water and pull it our and look at the hole!" Throughout the week, there will be more than one hundred forty transparentcies that are most helpful in understanding the functional physiology of the vocal make-up. A picture is worth ten thousand words. Also, group dynamics for open discussions will be highly encourage, as we all will be learning together. There has never been or will there ever be any individual who has totally understood the ramifications and complexities of vocal science and it's application. We all learn from each other (even the instructors). All participants will need to have an open mind and deep hunger for learning and a good attitude about accepting some very wonderful "proven" techniques (possibly different from your past training). In recent years, great strides have been made in all areas of discipline in speech and hearing as it applies to the communication process. Yes, singing is an extension of beautiful speaking. Sometimes, it is cultured screaming! Please share this information with your supervisor and seek permission to attend a Vocal Freedom Institute! I know the desire of organizations and their interest in having the sharpest, well trained choral conductor possible, and will make sure that you will have the "where-with-all" to attend this comprehensive, in-depth opportunity for exciting professional enhancement as a leader of vocal musicians. Those who have attended the Institute have stated that it was really an "awesome experience!" Also, past registrants have already asked that we have and "ADVANCED INSTITUTE" soon. I encourage you to take advantage of the "early bird" fee. You will save $200.00. Also, remember that the maximum number for participation is twenty-five (25). ******************
If you agree to sponsor an Institute, your choral groups from (as many as six groups) are used in teaching the directors ways they can create beautiful sounds with their choirs. The "sound checks" will highly enhance the choirs of your Music Ministry: Your choirs will reap the rewards because a part of the Institute is having the Music Directors observe my working on the choral sounds of (1)four and five year olds; (1) six, seven, and eight year olds; (3)nine-ten and eleven year olds; (4) Middle school and/or Jr. High groups; (5) High school choral groups; (6) Adult choirs; (7) Senior adult choirs. Also, the host director does not pay for registration. There will be no charge for working with the choral groups of the host church. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Warning! Only read if you are willing to consider a "reality check shared with love -as a former Associate Professor and also Minister of Music for thirty five years!" Not any individual in the area of vocal pedagogy has all the answers! We all learn from others! Please be willing to be honest with yourself and record your choir! Listen objectively and consider the questions below. Also, realize what some personal "in-depth training can help you find the answers to the questions below by coming and seriously study ways to help your choir improve in every way. The Institute will help you become more professionally equipped as a music leader for your School, University, or Church! Have you ever been willing to take a "reality check" related to your effectiveness as a choral director? Do you just teach songs? Do you know enough about vocal production to change the total sound of your choral groups? How about the "breathy" sounds of the teenage or adult female voice? How can you change this anemic, weak tonal production to a vibrant, brilliant, mature sound? What do you do with singers with "wobbles? Do you have singers complain about being hoarse after rehearsal? How about your own vocal production? Would you like to develop your voice to be capable of making adequate examples vocally as a "role model" with correct timbre for your group? How do you train your choir to begin to produce full sounds? What about vowel sound unification? Are you willing to allow another choral director work with your choir? Are you one of those music directors who expect your choir members to accept you as the "world's authority for all needs in vocal training? Is it your secret desire to become equipped to be able to train your choir, no matter how amateur they might sound? How do you help those individuals with voices that "stick out?" Why do singers always think that they run out of breath? What about that wonderful, faithful, dedicated choir member that never sings on pitch? Are you one of those directors that just continually buy new music (and never use the great older stuff in the music library) and learn it before your choirs do and constantly have an "ego trip" making you feel important (oops....if the shoe fits.....wear it) pressing them to chase notes and rhythm. Do you take the time with patience to be sure the individual sections are secure with their parts? Are you humble enough to realize that not any of us have all the answers for freeing the human voice for singing and/or speaking? Do you constantly study voice science? Are you aware that more we learn - the more we realize there is so much more we can learn? Are you humble enough to agree that we all can learn how to free the voice.....not just teach songs.....and really become more astute by studying with others that have spent a life time specializing in voice science with exciting ways of helping you train your singers with trenchant concepts and vocal techniques Those interested in becoming more a effective, skilled craftsman in the field of vocal production will find the answers to many of the above questions (and problems) most directors face with their choirs by attending the Vocal Freedom Institute! There will be a very informal "give and take" attitude with humble approaches in "uncovering" and sharing simple suggestions and answers for problematic singers. Those who have attended previous Institutes have talked to me later about the exciting progress they are making with more beautiful sounds from their choral groups of all ages! Also, each participant keeps asking "When will we have an ADVANCED VOCAL FREEDOM INSTITUTE?" Praise God! For recent references call: Alvie Allison, 817 478 4102; Mark Greene, 318 325 3126; Ira Pinkston, 972 937 1940; Todd Free 318 255 3594; Gary Anglin 228 762 2343. Many other names from various states available on request. It is my strong conviction that the most important area of continued growth.....(second only to that of your personal relationship as you constantly grow deeper with the Lord), is gathering correct information that has been proven and learn very important (life changing) effective ways of helping singers become more proficient in the complex coordination of the "mind-body" impact of experiencing loveliness as they sing. The necessary adjustment of giving up old habits and developing new habits take at least a month of constant "awareness" through continually feeling (not hearing) how the voice requires changing from previous ways of singing (just comin to chor to sang thim thar songs......filling dat thar uh seat and honking out tham thar tunes)......becuz.....6 muz eggo ah cun't spel chor, in jinned that thar chor an now I R gon 2 1! As you know....old musicians never die....they just de-compose! The Institute will introduce you to some simplistic ways of vocal production that might be in total opposition of your previous vocal training. I do not recommend Universities any more! It is important to know the progress and the "end results" of an ordinary voice entering school for a degree in music as a freshmen and then hearing the possible change by the end of the year. So many so called "voice teachers" just teach German Lieder, French Chanson, Italian Art Songs, Operatic Arias, English Art Songs and never address the needs of changing the total sound of their students! The past twenty plus years teaching across America I find so many people with degrees in music that have never learned how to correctly produce vocal sounds! Sad, but true! Be very careful where you send your students to study voice. Do not choose the school! Choose the outstanding "vocal technician"........not just a vocal coach that is highly proficient in just German, French, and Italian arias and art songs! Usually those inept in the secular community just get "mad" at the singer when they cannot improve. All individuals receiving an invitation (across America) to register for the Institute, should break a leg to make sure they will be one of the maximum of twenty-five allowed to participate. An interesting note: Those that have sponsored a Vocal Freedom Seminar several times are totally shocked and surprised as to the exciting change in voices of their singers (individually and choral) as to the amount of "practical simplistic helps' that their choral groups are experiencing immediately as they go back to teach their groups! Amen!
To learn about locations where the additional Institutes will being held, please write, fax, e-mail, or call Mr. Holcomb. To inquire about sponsoring a VFI, please call.
Ray T. Holcomb, Founder 611 Raintree Drive Phone (903)-581 0291
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