Dear Colleague …

Welcome to the latest edition of the Vocal Process ezine. In this edition we have news about our expanded product list of books, CDs and posters, our new online ordering facility, the launch of Vocal Process Publishing, an update on course activities, and news of our prize draw.

Singing and the Actor, second edition

Earlier this year Gillyanne spent several months revising and updating Singing and the Actor. The second edition includes new awareness exercises and diagrams, photographs, and an expanded section on voice qualities. For the first time, the book contains instruction on both safe belting and on a variant of belting – the 'howl belt'. The book is featured on the Channel 4 Musicality website www.channel4.com/musicality, and you can buy it from the Vocal Process website with a 20% introductory discount.

Singing and the Actor Audio Guide

Over the last four years, since Singing and the Actor was first published, Gillyanne has received numerous requests for an audio guide to accompany the book. The recording process is now completed and the new CD is in final stages of production. The recording, previewed at our recent Core Training, includes 38 tracks demonstrating key exercises and all of the voice qualities described in the book. Many of the tracks are demonstrated in both male and female voice. The Audio Guide will have its own booklet, which includes a short commentary on each track and page references for both the first and second editions of Singing and the Actor. Visit the website to pre-order your copy.

New Features on the Website

Those who have visited the website recently will have noticed an exciting facelift. It has a fresh look and feel with new colours and clearer navigation. You can now buy products and reserve course places online using the secure credit card facility. If you are logged in to My Vocal Process, your details will come up automatically every time you place an order. You can update your profile details, receive suggestions for suitable products and courses, and track the status of your order. Look out for our special online discounts.

Vocal Process Publishing

Vocal Process Limited provides an extensive range of voice-related resources, including training courses, inset days and tailored events, and the educational programme Integrated Voice™.

Vocal Process Limited is proud to announce a new company, Vocal Process Publishing Limited. The new company is responsible for all Vocal Process products including our two CDs, Basic Vocal Functioning and Better Vocal Functioning. Orders for books, CDs and related products, either by mail or online, will now be dealt with by Vocal Process Publishing.

As part of our commitment to ‘Bringing your voice online’, the Vocal Process website caters for both companies and contact details for each company are listed on the website.

New Products

Vocal Process is rapidly expanding the range of items available through the website. We have added our favourite Adam,Rouilly poster - the Pharynx and Larynx. It adorns the Vocal Process studio wall and our clients find it invaluable when picturing their voice. Look out for more anatomical posters and models available in the New Year.

Also available through the website is a selection of books from the A&C Black performing arts range. Titles include Classical Audition Speeches for Women, and Audition Speeches for Young Actors, and there is an extensive collection of audition material, ideal if you are auditioning for performing arts courses and need to prepare a monologue.

We are also a supplier of the excellent Coach Me series from Peters Edition, aimed at opera and classical singers. The four-step system contains booklet and CD of piano tracks, comprising a libretto with word-for-word translation and phonetic transcription of each song or aria, recordings of the text spoken by a native speaker, a study version of each melody, and a full accompaniment version with vocal and ensemble cues played in. With CDs containing groups of popular arias, or complete operatic roles, this is an invaluable and cost-effective way of learning and rehearsing classical music. Check out our website for the Coach Me catalogue.

Future Courses

Belting Explained, one of our most popular courses, is being held once more at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, on Saturday 27 November 2004. Gillyanne is joined by Matthew Reeve, and during the day the tutors will be giving individual attention to all participants. Gillyanne will be incorporating her process to Belting, first demonstrated at the Pan European Voice Conference in Graz 2003, and will include techniques for the 'howl belt' prevalent in the West End at the moment. If you are a teacher or performer wanting safe techniques and a straightforward route into this exciting sound, you can reserve your place either by telephone (020 8291 1758) or using our online booking facility. As one West End actress said after the course, "I never thought I’d get it in one day."

Module One of the Integrated Voice™ training programme is running from February to July 2005. The programme is designed to fit the busy life of the professional voice user, with many of the course units taking place at the Academy of Contemporary Music, a new venue with excellent facilities. Five units deal with vocal anatomy and physiology, improving personal skills, adolescent voice work, and the integration of speaking and singing voice. Also included are a number of personal tutorials and assignments guiding you through the programme.

We begin with the excellent Vocal Anatomy for Voice Professionals, given by Meribeth Dayme. This course is open to all; Meribeth has advised us that this is the last opportunity for members of the public to take this course in the UK.

Win the new Singing and the Actor Audio Guide

We are joining in the festive mood with a Christmas prize draw for members of My Vocal Process. Entry is easy and free, and the prize is a copy of the new Singing and the Actor Audio Guide. To be eligible you need to be a member of My Vocal Process and log-on before 15 December 2004. All members who have logged-on will be entered into a prize draw and the winner, drawn at random, will receive a free copy of the Singing and the Actor Audio Guide. The winner will be notified by email.

In the meanwhile …

remember to monitor your effort levels!