JOS On Point

What Science Is and What it Is Not

In the September/October issue of the Journal of Singing, co-authors David Meyer and John Nix explore questions of science — and crucially, why singers should care to know — in the first installment of their new “Practical Voice Science” column entitled “What Science Is and What it Is Not.” Their column is dedicated to making voice science concepts “understandable, relevant, and actionable for singers, singing teachers, collaborative pianists, opera directors, and choral conductors.” They aim to ignite the reader’s curiosity and demonstrate how science can transform the training of singers by enhancing teachers’ experience and intuition by applying scientific developments in the optimal function of the singing voice. Their new column is pitched to singers of all expertise levels.

JOS-080-1-2023-057.pdf (application/pdf, 194.7 K) posted at 2:36 PM, October 23, 2023

Who Believes What? Singers’ Belief in Vocal Health Information and Misinformation

Although evidence-based recommendations for voice care are available, misconceptions still abound. In their article, “Who Believes What? Singers’ Belief in Vocal Health Information and Misinformation,” published in the November/December issue of the Journal of Singing, Julia Edgar and Deirdre Michael report on an earlier survey of belief in vocal health practices. The authors conclude that voice teachers must become judicious consumers of information, examining their believe and how those are conveyed, in order to provide an environment of solid factual information to student singers.

JOS-078-02-2021-197.pdf (application/pdf, 436.5 K) posted at 4:32 PM, December 13, 2021

World Voice Day - Be Kind With Your Voice

Each year, the March/April issue of Journal of Singing marks World Voice Day, an annual event to celebrate the phenomenon of voice. The commemoration occurs on April 16, and the theme for 2019 is “Be Kind With Your Voice.” Both NATS President Karen Brunssen, in her “From the President” column, and Editor in Chief Richard Sjoerdsma, in his “Editor’s Commentary,” specifically address the provocative imperative. Brunssen writes principally from a pedagogic, performance, and collegial perspective, while Sjoerdsma wrestles with the theme in terms of its unity and humanity implications, especially in a culture where kindness is not only seldom practiced but often ridiculed as weakness. Implicitly and explicitly, both writers argue that artists who do not practice kindness end up destroying themselves.

JOS-075-4-2019-389_-_World_Voice_Day_-_Be_Kind_With_Your_Voice_-_Brunssen-Sjoerdsma.pdf (application/pdf, 472.2 K) posted at 11:09 AM, March 18, 2019

World Voice Day 2021

April 16 marks the annual commemoration of World Voice Day, and the WVD 2021 theme is “One World, Many Voices.” The Journal of Singing continues its tradition of celebrating this event on the cover and some continuing columns of the March/April issue. Among the latter is NATS President Carole Blankenship’s “From the President” column, in which she ties the theme to the new Diversity and Inclusion statement of the Association. Additionally, in his “Editor’s Commentary” Editor in Chief Richard Sjoerdsma examines the WVD theme from several perspectives, including song literature, vocal performance, and voice pedagogy.

JOS_March-April_21_pages_465-468.pdf (application/pdf, 145.9 K) posted at 11:26 AM, April 8, 2021

WVD and MO

Since 2002, resulting from an initiative by the American Academy of Otolaryngology, April 16 has been designated World Voice Day. Each year carries its own discrete theme, and the theme chosen for 2020 is “Focus On Your Voice in 2020.” In his “Editor’s Commentary” for the March/April issue of Journal of Singing, Editor in Chief Richard Sjoerdsma explores the metaphoric implications of the theme, particularly in terms of present sight, hindsight, and foresight.

JOS-076-4-2020-381.PDF (application/pdf, 345.7 K) posted at 12:26 PM, April 7, 2020

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