The Heart of Vocal Harmony: Emotional Expression in Group Singing

by Deke Sharon

Overview

(Music Pro Guides). Most choirs spend their rehearsal time focusing on notes, rhythms, and precision. They rarely, if ever, discuss a song's meaning and feeling, even though those elements are precisely what draws people to the music in the first place. Thousands of books have been written about choral technique, teaching people how to sing technically well. What sets The Heart of Vocal Harmony apart is its focus on honest unified expression and the process of delivering an emotionally compelling performance. It delves into an underdeveloped vocal topic the heart of the music and the process involved with expressing it. The Heart of Vocal Harmony is not just for a cappella groups it is also for vocal harmony groups, ensembles, and choirs at all levels, with or without instruments. In addition to the process, the book features discussions with some of the biggest luminaries in vocal harmony: composers, arrangers, directors, singers, and groups including Eric Whitacre, Pentatonix, the Manhattan Transfer, and more!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781495057830
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	07/01/2016
Series:	Music Pro Guides
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Deke Sharon (San Francisco, CA) is a cappella's most prolific arranger and producer, with credits ranging from Pitch Perfect to The Sing Off. Most recently, he can be seen on Lifetime Television's Pitch Slapped.

Table of Contents

Aesop's Fable: The Wind and the Sun xi

Dedication xiii

Preface xv

Concepts

Basic Principles 3

Say Something 7

Singularity 10

Preparations

Setting the Stage 15

Harmony Through Harmony 16

Director 20

Intragroup Relationships 23

Safety 25

Openness 26

Bravery 28

Support 29

Size and Scope 31

Breaking Down Barriers 34

Facial Connectedness 36

Emotions

Definition 39

Joy 43

Anger 46

Fear 48

Sadness 50

Emotional Complexity 52

Choices

Appropriateness 57

Song 58

Solo 59

Presentation 60

Arrangement 62

Meanings

Depth 67

Lyrical Analysis 69

Context 72

Group Discussion 75

Perspectives

Living the Song 81

Identification 83

Visualization 86

Character 89

Substitution 91

Plot 93

Moment 95

Triggers 97

Techniques

Emotional-Technical Connection 101

Thresholds 104

Actor's Techniques 106

First Time 107

Purpose 108

Singing by Memory 110

Foreign Languages 112

Vocal Tone 113

Syllables 114

Repetition 116

Autopilot 118

The Spaces Between 119

Considerations

Importance of the Individual 123

Rehearsal Consistency 125

Empowering Language 126

The Right Words 128

Eroding Inhibitions 129

Emotional Intelligence 131

Inner Critic 133

Physicality 135

Priorities 137

Calibration 138

Overboard 140

Overwhelm 141

Recharge 143

Motivations

Musical Motivation 147

Performing as Director 148

Leading from the Front 149

Lead Vocal 151

Powerful Moments 152

Insights

Composers 157

Christopher Tin 157

Tat Tong 160

Eric Whitacre 165

Arrangers 168

Ben Bram and Robert Dietz 168

Roger Emerson and Mac Huff 177

Directors 180

Kathleen Hansen and Mo Field 180

Lisa Forkish 186

J.D. Frizzell 192

Joshua Habermann 198

Bruce Rogers 202

Vocal Coaches 208

Tom Carter 208

Christopher Diaz 212

Hannah Juliano 219

Groups 223

Home Free 223

Manhattan Transfer 228

Pentatonix 231

Straight No Chaser 235

Singers 241

Jerry Lawson 241

Blake Lewis 243

Christòpheren Nomura 245

Samantha Waldman 247

Conclusion 251

Acknowledgments 253