Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Back in the Studio
The Festival was amazing, but incredibly tiring, since I started at 8 am daily and got to bed usually about 1:30 am. I will get around t.o adding video and pictures in the next day or so. Vocal exercise for today is to sing the word "SINGING". Always do the "prep" (line, lower, lift, loosen) and do this exercise "sih-----ng-ih----ng-ih----ng--ng---ng---ng by keeping the throat expanded but letting the back of the tongue touch the soft palate without closing the mouth.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Saturday night show "Urinetown" WOW!
Tonight was the last show of Festival. "Urinetown"... done by the Denver School for the Arts Theater Department. Jeez... Un..believable!! The voices...the acting...dancing..sets.. This show had no weak spots. I've seen many professional shows not done as well as this.
I have a renewed appreciation of how well-written this show is. The director brought out the incredible humor and irony. Theater people especially appreciate all the "subtle" references to "Les Miserables", "Annie", "West Side Story", "Fiddler On the Roof", "Baker's Dozen", and even the wheel-chair bit in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (probably thrown in due to the fact that that show was done here at the Festival).
What a tremendous end to an amazing week. I had over 400 kids take my singing classes and I am as inspired as so many of these incredible kids. I have to hand it to the great, tireless, giving teachers who give up so much time and energy to help build the lives of the next generation. If this the next group of leaders, then we, and our planet, will be in good hands.
I have a renewed appreciation of how well-written this show is. The director brought out the incredible humor and irony. Theater people especially appreciate all the "subtle" references to "Les Miserables", "Annie", "West Side Story", "Fiddler On the Roof", "Baker's Dozen", and even the wheel-chair bit in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (probably thrown in due to the fact that that show was done here at the Festival).
What a tremendous end to an amazing week. I had over 400 kids take my singing classes and I am as inspired as so many of these incredible kids. I have to hand it to the great, tireless, giving teachers who give up so much time and energy to help build the lives of the next generation. If this the next group of leaders, then we, and our planet, will be in good hands.
Last Day of Festival
Saturday morning. I just heard the finalists from all the state thespian winners perform solos, duets, group songs, mime, monologues, duo, and group scenes. These high school kids are unbelievably amazing! As in past years, some of these kids have gone on to Broadway and professional theater. What a wonderful experience for all the teens who get to come see and perform here at the International Thespian Festival. I love teaching here and getting to meet these terrific teachers and students! Tonight we get to see "Urinetown: the Musical". There were some great shows including "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown", "Working", "Pippin", and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying", and there were more, including small productions in the afternoons. Unfortunately, I couldn't see these, since I had to teach my workshops every afternoon. BUT... I was so fortunate to work with so many amazing kids. WHAT A THRILL!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Broadway Belting Class 8 Bar Songlist
“BROADWAY BELTING” SONGLIST
A Wonderful Guy – “South Pacific”
All I Care About – “Chicago”
Another Opening, Another Show – “Kiss Me Kate”
Aquarius – “Hair”
Being Alive – “Company”
Broadway Baby – “Follies”
Dancing Queen – “Mamma Mia”
Everything’s Coming Up Roses – “Gypsy”
Get Me to the Church – “My Fair Lady”
Hello Dolly – “Hello, Dolly”
Honey Bun – “South Pacific”
How Lucky You Are – “Seussical”
I Love You Baltimore – “Hairspray”
I’m Alive – “Next to Normal”
Impossible Dream – “Man of La Mancha”
It’s Today – “Mame”
Jailhouse Rock – “All Shook Up”
Kansas City – “Oklahoma”
Luck Be a Lady – “Guys and Dolls”
Mama Who Bore Me – “Spring Awakening”
Mamma Mia – “Mamma Mia”
Maybe This Time – “Cabaret”
Nothing Can Stop Me Now – “Roar of the Greasepaint”
Put On a Happy Face – “Bye, Bye Birdie”
Santa Fe – “Newsies”
Seasons of Love – “Rent”
Shy – “Once Upon a Mattress”
Suddenly Seymore – “Little Shop of Horrors”
Summer Nights – “Grease”
Tomorrow – “Annie”
What I Did For Love – “A Chorus Line”
When You’re Good to Mama – “Chicago”
Who Will Buy? – “Oliver”
You’re Never Fully Dressed – “Annie”
A Wonderful Guy – “South Pacific”
All I Care About – “Chicago”
Another Opening, Another Show – “Kiss Me Kate”
Aquarius – “Hair”
Being Alive – “Company”
Broadway Baby – “Follies”
Dancing Queen – “Mamma Mia”
Everything’s Coming Up Roses – “Gypsy”
Get Me to the Church – “My Fair Lady”
Hello Dolly – “Hello, Dolly”
Honey Bun – “South Pacific”
How Lucky You Are – “Seussical”
I Love You Baltimore – “Hairspray”
I’m Alive – “Next to Normal”
Impossible Dream – “Man of La Mancha”
It’s Today – “Mame”
Jailhouse Rock – “All Shook Up”
Kansas City – “Oklahoma”
Luck Be a Lady – “Guys and Dolls”
Mama Who Bore Me – “Spring Awakening”
Mamma Mia – “Mamma Mia”
Maybe This Time – “Cabaret”
Nothing Can Stop Me Now – “Roar of the Greasepaint”
Put On a Happy Face – “Bye, Bye Birdie”
Santa Fe – “Newsies”
Seasons of Love – “Rent”
Shy – “Once Upon a Mattress”
Suddenly Seymore – “Little Shop of Horrors”
Summer Nights – “Grease”
Tomorrow – “Annie”
What I Did For Love – “A Chorus Line”
When You’re Good to Mama – “Chicago”
Who Will Buy? – “Oliver”
You’re Never Fully Dressed – “Annie”
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
How To Succeed at the Thespian Festival
for all the people who saw "How to Succeed in Business..." Tonight. Let me know your favorite parts. For example, I loved the hands crossing over bit on "Brotherhood of Man" great directing and choreography, singing, acting, set design. The guy that played Bud Frump has pro written all over him. Vocal power and great comic timing and he can dance. Holly is one of the best directors in the country. She always blows my mind.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Teaching Kids to Sing
Dear Music Teachers,
I know you all have special students that are promising young singers. I would love the opportunity to help develop their voices this summer.
Over my 38 years of teaching singing, I’ve been fortunate to have worked with some wonderful kids who have gone on to become terrific lifetime singers and successful adults. For me, the love of singing is more important than inherent talent, but the two often go hand in hand. I have developed special exercises and have a large library of repertoire designed to aid in my developmental approach.
My philosophy is influenced by the following article from the "American Academy of Teachers of Singing". (Adobe Reader required)
http://www.americanacademyofteachersofsinging.org/articles/TeachingChildren.pdf
My credentials include a B.M.E. in Vocal Music and a Masters in Vocal Performance. I have been a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing since 1978, and had 3 winners this past March at the N.A.T.S. Puget Sound Adjudications at Shoreline Community College. Plus I was honored to be nominated for Best Musical Direction for the 5th Avenue Musical Theater Awards in June. Also, I teach yearly for a week at the end of June at the International Thespian Festival at Univ. of Nebraska.
http://www.edta.org/educational_events/festival/default.aspx#schedule This is an amazing experience, getting to work with these incredible teenagers from all around the world.
I know you all have special students that are promising young singers. I would love the opportunity to help develop their voices this summer.
Over my 38 years of teaching singing, I’ve been fortunate to have worked with some wonderful kids who have gone on to become terrific lifetime singers and successful adults. For me, the love of singing is more important than inherent talent, but the two often go hand in hand. I have developed special exercises and have a large library of repertoire designed to aid in my developmental approach.
My philosophy is influenced by the following article from the "American Academy of Teachers of Singing". (Adobe Reader required)
http://www.americanacademyofteachersofsinging.org/articles/TeachingChildren.pdf
My credentials include a B.M.E. in Vocal Music and a Masters in Vocal Performance. I have been a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing since 1978, and had 3 winners this past March at the N.A.T.S. Puget Sound Adjudications at Shoreline Community College. Plus I was honored to be nominated for Best Musical Direction for the 5th Avenue Musical Theater Awards in June. Also, I teach yearly for a week at the end of June at the International Thespian Festival at Univ. of Nebraska.
http://www.edta.org/educational_events/festival/default.aspx#schedule This is an amazing experience, getting to work with these incredible teenagers from all around the world.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Sing this Summer!
Singing Lessons – Beginning to Advanced
- Study the fundamentals of singing
- Discover great songs in your vocal range
- Learn to protect and project your voice
- Enhance performing skills with audio/video recording
- Receive a practice CD with song tracks & custom exercises
- Build musical theatre, classical, jazz, and pop repertoire
- Sing with your friends – small group sessions available
- Access studio library of over 10,000 songs
Instructor: Larry Bridges, B.M.E., M.A.
- 35 years experience singer/ voice teacher/ accompanist
- Guest Artist/Lecturer - International Thespian Festival 2010
- Member of National Association of Teachers of Singing
Woodinville studio phone: 425 788 4942 cell 1 206 909 7834
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