Singing Blues and R&B course at Alcorn Music Studios

Just a heads-up that there are still a few spaces in the "Singing Blues and R&B" course at Alcorn Music Studios. Every time we run this course, we have such a fun time. All participants sing every class meeting, and it's a very supportive atmosphere. Details below.


Here's a link from one of our previous classes. It's the group number from the showcase at the end of the course.

(info below from www.alcornmusicstudios.com )

Sing Blues, Motown and classic R&B favourites. 
This course will focus on the stylistic considerations of the R&B, Motown and Blues genres. You will learn vocal techniques for breath support, phrasing, flexibility, range, judicious use of vibrato, diction, how to “belt” responsibly, lyric interpretation. Explore the art of backing vocals.  All participants will be singing lead and back-up.

You will have an absolute blast!

Time: Thursday 6:15 pm - 7:45 pm
Dates: 10 weeks Sept.22 to Nov 24. Final show Nov. 27
Instructor: vocalist/music educator Elise Letourneau, B.Mus., M.Ed.
Cost: $234.00 (non-refundable)
Pre-requisite: Some singing experience preferred.
Maximum participants: six
Register: 613-729-0693 info@alcornmusicstudios.com
Location: 953 Gladstone Ave. @ Loretta (Little Italy area)
Note: This is a "less Scent" class we ask all participants to avoid wearing perfume, body spray or cologne.

Call for Singers! - Vox Eclectica - new women's choir in Ottawa ON

When I relocated to Ottawa in 2006 with a fresh start and a clean plate to bring up to life’s buffet, I knew that if I wanted to start the jazz choir I’d always been hoping for, I had to do it then, before the rest of life had its way with my schedule. What I didn’t know at the time was how many friendly and wonderful singer-people there are in Ottawa!

Fast-forward to 2011 and Capital Vox Jazz Choir is just embarking on its fifth season. It has been a wonderful time - with lots of good experiences, learning experiences, and even some growing pains. But the best thing about growing pains is the growth at the finish line, and things have grown to the point where, to quote the rock-musical Tommy, “We need to build an extension!”

I am both honoured and blown away by the number of audition requests I am receiving. Many of the requests are coming from women, and even if we had the space in Capital Vox (both figuratively and literally - more space in the rehearsal room, more chairs, etc), we do not have enough male voices to support all the female voices who are asking for auditions.

In answer to this, I am forming another choir, a women’s choir called Vox Eclectica. This choir will be dedicated to exploring the female voice in its most captivating and entrancing settings; with music drawn from every genre, from Mozart to Mitchell, early music to Enya, lieder to lullabies, traditional music, new music, and more and more.

The vision for this first year is to find our footing in terms of singing together as a group - to find our sound, our gel, our blend, our combination of special features and unique talents. In terms of concerts, so far the intention is to plan and rehearse for three performances:
1) As a special guest vocal ensemble for a selection in the upcoming Capital Vox concert, “Beatlemania” on November 19, 2011 at Dominion-Chalmers United Church.
2) To present a short showcase concert (in multiple seatings?) with Mary as the central theme, at the new GigSpace performance facility at Alcorn Music Studios on December 18, 2011.
3) To present a full-length concert in the Spring of 2012, date/location to be determined.

Vox Eclectica will rehearse on Tuesday evenings, not far from Preston Street. I hope to begin rehearsals on September 27, or October 4 at the latest. I’m reserving time on September 13 and September 20 to hear singers, and I’d love to meet you.

Like Capital Vox, Vox Eclectica will be structured as an independent choir, without a church or school or other type of institution administering it, and as such will need to collect dues to support its basic operating costs. This will be similar in structure to Capital Vox - please visit http://www.capitalvox.ca/join-capital-vox/membership-expectations for more information about becoming a member.

And more information about what to expect at the audition/initial meeting can be found at http://www.capitalvox.ca/join-capital-vox . I'll want to hear something you love to sing (any style), check in with your music reading ability, and explore your vocal range.

Please feel free to pass this letter along, or to contact me directly. Thanks for taking the time out to read this letter. I look forward to the possibility of our paths crossing soon.