Vocal Pedagogy Heritage

As stated above, I am familiar with the teachings of the great masters as they appear in writing.  However, to my knowledge, there are no recordings of them, and, since I was not there to hear them in person, I can only imagine, based upon my own personal experience, what they may have sounded like or what their vocal tastes and choices may have been.  When reading any treatise on singing, one must keep an open mind and be aware of the fact that we are continually monitoring and interpreting the words according to our own memory bank of personal knowledge, experiences and sensations.  Because of this, I am highly suspicious of anyone this day and age who claims to teach the Garcia method, Bel Canto school or any such specific method, school or ideology from the past.  Bel Canto – aren’t we all striving toward producing “beautiful singing” when we perform and teach?  In the 21st Century, we are simply too far removed – the lineage has become much too diffuse – blurred by time, re-interpretation, editorializing and other outside influences, regardless of how well-meaning.  Those great pedagogues of the past have been remarkable role models for us.  Their teachings and the research that they did have helped us to be more curious – they set high standards to which we can only hope to aspire.  However, modern vocal education did not stop with them – that is where it all began. I cringe in horror when, occasionally, I hear someone refer to the “Bill Neill method”.  This gives me the heebie-jeebies!  Please, spare me the embarrassment! Back