OneDaySoon

Performance Tip No 1 - VOCALIZATION

It has been standard practice; for it has been proven as an imperative part of the choral training. But sadly for some, this is something they'd rather skip--if they can have their own way.

Never undermine its benefits. It warms and prepares our vocal tracts for the work ahead. Synonymous to stretching the muscles before embarking on a strenuous workout at the gym. It not only eases our singing. It also protects us from vocal harm. We hear of singers growing one or two nodules in the throat-one of the consequences of undisciplined singing.

Going back to the analogy of weight training, a very eager trainee would rather go straight ahead to the workout without preparing the muscles by warming them up to make them flexible and adaptable. Muscle tear is a painful consequence. The same is true with singing. You repeatedly punish your vocal cords, you eventually reap your grim rewards.

The vocal cords, (very fragile) muscles in their own right, becomes adaptable to varying demands of singing, and the well prepared singer would find himself singing smoothly and with relative ease. A well warmed up throat and vocal tract becomes like a well lubricated machine; so able to go with the flow and cope up with the 'uphill climbs' and 'rough roads' of singing.

The un-warmed singer would find himself singing awkwardly, or hitting notes off-pitch, slurring upwards to hit high notes, and thus become a liability to the group, not to mention the punishment he inflicts on himself. Always remember to warm up!

A Singer's Goal: A chorister must be a team player. He walks, glides, hops, leaps, runs, and stops at the same moments with everybody else. And he becomes a reason why the choir is where it is. There should be no one who would be like an injured team mate who needs to play despite his injury, or a weakling who needs to be constantly spoon-fed and cared for by others. He should be able to develop his own skills by constant and disciplined training and not rely on his buddies to assist him all along.

When asked to pray, remember to focus on God; not on the people around you. Read more, please click link.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1677101/when_you_pray_.html

by Yanita

It may seem that sports jocks and intellectual types don’t mix, but there’s something that both can like in common. And that is online games. With online games made for the athlete and the straight-A student, these two personalities have something they both can agree on.

For the varsities and sports-minded, there are several sport games online. And it’s not just one sport we’re talking about here. We’re talking about all sports ever known in this green earth. You have tennis, golf, football, basketball, soccer and other more games to choose from. Sports games are something that athletes are sure to like as these games do not only simulate their favorite sport, they also provide somewhat the same kind of difficulty and gameplay. Although in the virtual world, these games still bring out the sportsman in every athlete.

For the those looking for intellectual and mental challenge, there are lots of strategy games and puzzle games online. These games challenge the mental acuity and the logical aptitude of people with intellectual leanings. From memory games, to real time strategy games, there are plenty of games that can give the mind a good sweat and twist. Aside from those, you can also play board games online. Whether it’s the classics, like chess, scrabble or backgammon, or the new original board games, there are plenty of choices for board game lovers.

And these games are not bad in the graphics and sound department either. Though your console games are definitely better, but for online games, their quality is comparable. Gone are the days where you get pixelated or polygonic figures and animation. Nowadays, even small online games feature smooth lines, animation and shading. Actually, you’ll be quite impressed on how well these games look like and play.

And the best thing about these games is that most of them are free. You can play free online sports games and board online games without paying for anything. You can play these games as much and as often as you want. And that’s not all; the games offered in online gaming sites does not just offer sports and strategy games, you can also find other types of games such as adventure games, shooting games and racing games. You have a wide selection of different games to choose from.

Whether you’re looking to play board games or your favorite sport free games that will help you do just that are available in the internet. Though jocks and nerds are poles apart, they come together in finding a game that will interest each through online games.

If you want to play strategy games and sports games online, just click on the links. You can also find adventure games in our site.

Our second day in Palawan was the Free Clinic Day for the Quezon children. Dr. Fernando Galvez, "Kuya Nanding" to me his brod-in-law and to his church mates, diagnosed a lot of kids and adolescents in the neighborhood and gave them free medicines and vitamins.

Meds we brought from Manila were sorted by the group and laid out on a table. Church volunteers manned the registration and the weighing of babies. My sister, Belinda (his wife) and Brenda, myother sister sat beside him as his secretaries, one at a time; and the rest of our companions from Manila, young adults all, manned the sorting and finding of the prescribed medicine and vitamin bottles. In the adjacent building, the church, Dinky and JM handled the Bible teaching of the many kids waiting in line.

Several local church people on the other hand, managed the kitchen and prepared the food for our group. The folks were so kind to cook all our meals day after day. Quite embarrassing actually, but Pastor Jezer, my brod-in-law and this church's minister said it had been planned and organized in advanced by the church so we had nothing to worry about. True enough, the folks were so hospitable they even prepared local snacks in between meals. Now and then, people would drop by to bring local delicacies for our enjoyment and satisfaction. We love you, Quezonfolk; such generosity and hospitality you shared with us.

When the day was over, the tireless Doc had treated unnumbered kids. There were 100 names enlisted for the day's clinic but we found out that every name was accompanied by more or less 5 siblings or relatives, all needing medical attention. But Doc and his "medical secretaries" managed the outpour of patients; many of which came from distant barangays (barrios/towns). It is safe to say that the actual number of patients quadrupled. But our energetic doctor remained cheerful even as we ate our evening dinner; and so was everyone else. Partly because, we were talking about our Tabon Caves tour scheduled for the next day.

Actually, there is another Free Clinic Day come Saturday. But the concern is that due to the early heavy turnout of patients, medications might not suffice.

On the other hand, I had the great time of my life spent playing and bonding with my sister's kids, Ruthie & Marc who I sorely missed since they moved over there last April 2008. Ruthie had bounced back to her bubbly and happy personality. And Marc is something else. From a crybaby, he became a happy and playful kid; and he easily mixes with newcomers. But what I have been longing to do is to play with my Bebe Ruthie who I deeply missed.

(All images courtesy of Bethel Faye)

What a week! Read about it here. 

"Underdevelopments"

The previous year's 4th quarter developments (or whatever you may want to call it) in the choir put me in a reality-check of sorts. I realized that my Adults choir is terribly out of shape after many singers opted  out of the Christmas choral events.

Covenant Signing

Prior to this, I merged my Youth and Adults choirs for the Christmas season. I even printed  a poster covenant to let people sign in. Sad part is: a considerable number of trained singers have "resigned" halfway through. Then I realized that I am left with mostly newbies in the singing ministry.

Christmas Events

And to cut a sad story short, when a shopping mall invited us to grace their Christmas events, I had to shrug my shoulders and not accept the invite. My consolation is that my Kids Choir was also invited and for the second time around, they sang Carols at this mall.

Re-Auditions Coming Up

I have decided to re-audition everybody so that 1: I could examine every new singer and design a plan for them to be equipped with the best training I can give them; and 2: so that I can monitor my regular singers and see where each of them stand. But how do I-pray tell me-reject people who cannot really sing but want to really be a part of this group. I know you have quick witted remarks in your heads, but I say it's easier said than done.

Sense of Accountability

I also saw that I need to address the lack of dedication among them. And the growing lack of enthusiasm  in the  ministry they are in. What made me really think was when those who aren't well-trained exhibit the lack of sense of accountability. Well, there are those who behaved well; they kept a set of the Christmas pieces which they bring home to review. Sadly, about 75% were happy-go-lucky types. I failed to notice earlier that they have not heeded my instruction to get their own individual set of copies.

The Price Paid

Too late for me when I noticed that they search for copies as we rehearse week after week. It's my fault, I grew very relaxed when it comes to behavior. "Laging nasa huli ang pagsisisi." (Regrets always comes at the end), so goes a famous Filipino saying.

Resolution?

I don't believe in New Year's Resolutions. I'd rather not, for many resolutions do not succeed. But this is my resolve-refurbish this choir.  We'll see what we can do.

Cartoon on top courtesy of http://www.reverendfun.com/