Understudies

Woohoo, Mr Oh!

I hope you get to sing "Timeless" in the medley - the first time DW and I heard it, we fell in love all over again. After 25 years of marriage, we finally found "our song".

My parallel story this week is with Portland Symphonic choir's performance of Oregon Symphony: Carmina Burana this weekend: I learned/understudied/sang for rehearsals the tenor solos (the featured number is literally a "swan song" that requires shrieking as you anticipate being butchered, cooked and eaten by the chorus). Our out-of-town pro soloist showed up last night, fit and healthy, and sang it wonderfully. I got more laughs that he did, but his voice carries better than I would have. Instead, I'll sing with the chorus and eat him up.

Yours, Gary Shannon

I teach online voice lessons! http://www.voice-mentor.com/ My passion: Your art.
4022 SE 100th Ave. Portland OR 97266 503-761-1837
( 8-{D} Balding, bespectacled, mustachioed, happy, bearded guy, usually open mouthed.

>>In a message dated 13 May 08 10:43:24 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, Mister oh writes:

I wrote a while ago telling everybody how I was auditioning for a solo in the upcoming concert for the chorus (it's this Saturday!!)
Although I didn't get a solo initially (other than the brief chanting I do in the Lion King number) fate came into action. The chorus member who got the part of Edna Turnblad in our Hairspray medley has a work conflict and cannot do the concert. Alan had called me a few weeks ago to ask if I could do the part. I agreed thinking that it was just for our run-out performance at the church in Riverside (which was a couple of Saturdays ago). Turns out that not only did I perform it then, but I am also doing it on the big stage at the McCallum theatre this Saturday. In full drag. With costume change. I've already shaved my beard (moustache to follow) and did my legs on Sunday. THAT is a weird sensation! Feels like my legs were dipped in oil. Somebody gave me a fat suit (it's from a Halloween costume - the overweight stripper) and it is quite a scream. I found a lovely "social" dress at Ross, it's a 22W and is quite a stunner. I'm going to put a blue duster over it for the number before so that I can do a quick change from frumpy Edna to glamorous Edna. I'm sure there will be photographs/video to share later....

First Assignment

Hello!

I am 20 years old. Basically I am a severely out of shape vocalist. But, I REALLY want to get back my old ability that is tucked away in my vocal chords somewhere and continue to grow my range and fine tune my talent. I would like to be on the worship team at my church, but I am too embarassed to volunteer at this point. I do need someone that is affordable. =-)

Thanks bunches!

Dear Bunches:

I assist singers like you all the time.

I will have you do a lesson with me every three weeks. We will also do telephone follow-ups to make sure you are doing what you need to do to make your goal. It dosen't get more affordable than this!

Here is your first assignment:

• Eat and sleep right.
• Drink eight 8-oz glasses of water everyday.
• If you are ill, do what it takes to get better.
• Exercise so your body has strength and stamina.
• Sing (really SING) at least three times a week for at least 45 minutes.

It doesn't matter so much WHAT or how you sing or exercise or eat or sleep, but THAT you sing and exercize and eat and sleep and all that.

Contact me soon.

Gary Shannon, Portland, OR
503-761-1837
mentor@voice-mentor.com

Cover Letter

2008-02-16

Dear "Find A Job" Client:

Normally, when applying for a management position, I carefully research your corporate values and purposes before deciding to apply. My cover letter would underline aspects of my own goals, purposes and activities unified with your mission. Since I have no idea who is seeing this document, let's skip researching you and tell you about me. If we're a match, you'll work that out for yourself.

In physique, I am perfectly average - you won't notice me twice on the street. Maybe you'd notice I dress well, but nothing bling. In speaking and communication, though, I am anything but average. I listen a lot more than I talk. I get jokes. I don't solve your problems unless they really are mine to solve. What I do say resonates. I will show you what I think is best. I don't insist on my own way. I am deeper than I seem (so are you, and I know that).

I have unusual training and experience. I am certain you do not need to hire a professional vocalist and music teacher and conductor. Consider, though how those skills and abilities to work solo or in ensemble, as a leader, follower or enabler, translate into your field. In these positions, I planned or assisted in planning the budget, dates, venues, repertoire, and marketing. I auditioned and coached choristers, soloists and instrumentalists. I wrote, arranged and improvised music as needed, and directed rehearsals and conducted performances.

Tedious details here:
As a vocal musician, my skills include conducting and directing; keyboards (including piano, organ, MIDI and electronic keyboards); vocalist (tenor, counter-tenor, baritone in Classical, Theater, Opera, Ancient, Rock and Pop styles); composition and arranging (part-songs, reductions, theater music, chamber music); teaching.

Education: BA in Music Theory/Composition and BA in Music Education from San Jose State University in 1979 under Dr. Charlene Archibeque, with minor studies in Voice, Keyboards, Accounting and Theater.

Awards:
Portland Yamaha Organ Competition, Grand Prize Winner, Senior Division, 1992
California Association of Community Theatres, "Best Actor in a Musical" 1975

Employment: I served as: Music Minister for Unity Church of Portland from May 2005 to March 2007 Substitute Choirmaster/Organist at All Saints Episcopal Church since 2002, Rehearsal Director (1986 –1993) and Arranger for The Dickens Carolers since 1986, Chorus Coach for Cabaret Magnifique (1996) and Unicorn Theatre (1973-1980), Performing Arts Teacher for The Delphian School in Sheridan Oregon (1976-1979), Guest Conductor/Music Director for Oregon Repertory Singers in 1995 and 2000, Director/Organist for Portland Scientology Celebrity Center Singers (1993-1999) Director for Rose City Timberliners SPEBSQSA Chorus since 1998, Tenor Section Leader for Portland Symphonic Choir since 1998

I served as a professional actor, chorister and/or vocal soloist with: Choral Cross-Ties, Portland Symphonic Choir, Oregon Repertory Singers, Dickens Carolers, The Musical Company, Cabaret Magnifique, Portland Symphonic Choir, North West Chorale and several local churches (All Saints Episcopal, First Methodist, St. Mark’s Anglican). I in English, Latin, Italian, Russian, German, Spanish, Hebrew, French, and other languages. Private voice coach, voice teacher, piano teacher and accompanist since 1992. http://www.voice-mentor.com/

Other jobs I've held include sound recording engineer, website-designer, IT specialist, computer applications coach (I've successfully coached users with new applications using my broad knowledge of software and hardware), private school chef, short order cook, caterer's assistant, and fast food manager.

"To Love, in spite of all, is the secret of greatness." I donate and volunteer regularly to several causes: Goodwill Industries, Food for the Poor, Portland Symphonic Choir, the Barbershop Harmony Society, Catlin Gabel School, David Douglas School District, the Lutheran Synod, All Saint Episcopal Church, the Citizens Commission for Human Rights. I look for similar passions in my fellows.

Summary:
What else might you need to know? I prefer part-time work. I love living and playing in Portland Oregon. I have allergies I control by diet. I rarely take any drugs. I think outside the box - sometimes that thinking says, "Use the boxed solution." My happiness does not depend on your approval. (Yours doesn't depend on mine, either.) I smile easily.

Contact me anytime, any method.

Gary Shannon

4022 SE 100th Ave., Portland OR 97266
503-761-1837 garyshanno@aol.com http://www.voice-mentor.com/
Skype: voice.mentor
(8-{D} <-- Balding, bespectacled, mustachioed, happy guy

MY WEBSITE EXISTS

Well, it's only a start, but here it is. My son himself informs me that my website is terrible. I figure, for a beginner, it's more important to MAKE it, then go back and make it better. As long as I'm not mis-representing, I can't really get in trouble.

I'm really happy with the domain name too.

http://www.voice-mentor.com/

I still haven't quite worked out how to make online payments work, but I supsect Paypal has all the tools I need. That will go in next.

Voice-Mentor.com

A Mentor is:

• a trusted guide
• an experienced tutor
• a selfless coach
• an aid to others toward their own dreams.
• informal, helpful, wise, encouraging and supportive.
• appreciated and valued.
• attentive and confidential.

A Mentor is NOT

• threatening or abusive
• overbearing or bossy
• gossipy, negative or a rumor-monger
• intolerant or judgemental

This is what I bring to my online voice studio at Voice-Mentor.com .

Acid Reflux

Disclaimer: I'm no doctor. This is simply what I learned and how it worked for me.

Here is how my Chiropractor cured my acid reflux with no medication involved, just water and massage.

I had it really bad, too. Every morning, sore throat like strep throat, bad digestion, bad breath, almost throwing up after meals. Couldn't sleep. Voice only a sliver of itself. Could still lay out a smooth barbershop tenor, but symphony and cantor and opera and musicals, not coming out okay.

Turns out that between my strong, tense abdominal muscles and singing from the diaphragm, the top bit of my stomach was squeezed up through the natural opening of the diaphragm into the esophagus. The little muscles that close off the top of the stomach were pinched oddly, being too high in my body. Thus, there was no way to close off the stomach acid from the top. Yuk. He called it a hiatal hernia.

Anyhow - here's what my Chiropractor had me do:

1. For a couple weeks, limit the diet to alkaline foods to keep the acid level down. I did fine on just about any herbal tea. Rice. Potato. Lean meat and veggies okay. Not most fruit. Milk/Dairy was okay, but I disliked 'em.
2. Twice a the day, self massage: Press fingertips of one hand into the center of the torso right below the sternum. Slide down slowly to center of belly to encourage the stomach to settle down into its normal place. This is not a comfortable action - pressure there made me feel nauseous, and I could feel it pulling under my chin.
3. An hour before bed, drink 16 oz. of water (yes, I had to get up during the night. tough.) As soon as it's all in, do this exercise to get the stomach down: a) stand on tiptoes, body erect, then b) bounce your heels onto the floor. Do this 30 times. The stomach full of water will settle into it's rightful spot. While you sleep, diaphragm and stomach get used to their new positions.
4. During all this, I learned to relax the abdomen while supporting my singing with the diaphragm so I wasn't continually causing myself more squeezing problems. Voice and ease of singing improved a lot.

After one week of this, nighttime reflux was gone. After one month, all reflux was gone. It hasn't come back, not matter what I eat or drink.

I'm no doctor, and I don't know if your reflux had the same cause mine did, but since you asked, there it is.

Gary Shannon

Music business

Nobody likes to see someone write about himself.

Here are a few neat Christmas gifts:

"Straight Up, No Chaser" 12 Days of Christmas



The Dicken's Carollers of Portland, Oregon














Searching for online voice lessons?

I've usually held two careers: one theatrical/musical and one accounting/managerial. I've usually had two avocations: computer programmer and enigmatist. Putting all those together, I am making my own web-based music business to teach voice lessons live on-line.