| So - how do we create and safe-guard the environment that nurtures and encourages this blissful expression? We observe and honor certain guidelines and preparations together - ... sharing our beginnings and our accomplishments. Now to the nitty-gritty -- |
| We do and continue to do all of these things ... |
| We are people of the Old Town School of Folk Music's VocalTech classes taught by Gwen Pippin, and those of her private students ready to share a song. Our community of singers has worked together, sung together, supported each other in the struggle to know and free our voices. We work in a carefully guarded environment of mutual respect and encouragement for our true voice. |
| We are singer, listener and comrade to each other, bonded by the desire to communicate at that level which is beyond language. |
| ... a note from Gwen - Please know that there is a logic behind all the guidelines in preparation for our SingThings. I will ever jaw on and on, as many of you have already discovered, as to why I'm so-o-o-o insistent that you observe at least these preparations. It is ever so nice to have a pleasant memory of an onstage experience. Much of our evenings is captured on photo, tape and occasionally video as well. The students think of doing that - bring cameras, cassette recorders, video cameras, transfer tape to CD, art work, bring food to eat, decorate the piano. Our community consists of pretty smart, clever, and hard-working, thick-skinned folk ... they'd have to be to put up with what I put them thru - And I appreciate their work - they help me remember what I need to remember. And I've only forgotten to call 2 people onstage so far ... We all have our challenges for these evenings, and I enjoy mine as much, if not more, than those who are just beginnning to realize their dream of singing for others. Oh, just one more thing - every so often, someone wants to argue their way out of requirements for the evening. Know this, I reserve dictatorial rights to not have to explain to the singer's satisfaction why I say 'no' as I may be drawing from my hard-earned instincts. Believe me, I wish only the best for each singer's onstage moments ... |
index / home / WHQODJY!Night
| We don't like to call our We-Haven't-Quit-Our-Day-Job-Yet!Night a student recital, but that's kind of what it is. |
| We journeymen of song come together several times out of the year, bring along cool songs we've found, and sing them for each other. Having prepared the song under the watchful eye of our fearless leader, GwenPippin, we find a nice stage at an interesting club ... Yvette's, Davenport's, UnderGroundWonderBar, theBigHouse ... and strut our stuff - with certain preparation and all in good taste, of course. |
1 ... be a current member of vocalTech2 w/GwenPippin
or... be a private student of GPippin for 8 weekly sessions
2 ... choose a song within your capability (as determined by GPippin)
that you have not prepared for a class separate and different from
VocalTech w/GPippin
(1st timers sing a song chosen for you by Gwen)
3 ... sing the song no less that 3, preferably 4 times in front of the class
not required of private students
4... provide music or lyrics&chords for GPippin who will accompany on piano
5... support the club that supports us by buying something and leaving a
little extra something in the tip
or... be a private student of GPippin for 8 weekly sessions
2 ... choose a song within your capability (as determined by GPippin)
that you have not prepared for a class separate and different from
VocalTech w/GPippin
(1st timers sing a song chosen for you by Gwen)
3 ... sing the song no less that 3, preferably 4 times in front of the class
not required of private students
4... provide music or lyrics&chords for GPippin who will accompany on piano
5... support the club that supports us by buying something and leaving a
little extra something in the tip