Leading expert on aging singing voices to speak at Pioneer Valley Symphony event
October 28, 2020
Greenfield, MA
It’s no secret that our bodies change as we age, but did you know our voices do, as well?
“For singers, the human body is a living instrument,” said Sarah Pauquet, Chorus Director at the Pioneer Valley Symphony (PVS). “Our bodies change substantially and uniquely over time, so the vocal instrument is constantly in flux. We sought to bring in a guest speaker who could share more about how our voices change and how to best care for them throughout our lives.”
The PVS welcomes leading vocal performance expert Karen Brunssen, past president of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, to discuss the mechanics of how a singer’s voice changes throughout their life and provide insight into ways to sustainably sing for a lifetime. Brunssen is Professor of Music at the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, where she is a professor of music and co-chair of music performance. She authored the comprehensive reference The Evolving Singing Voice: Changes Across the Life Span which chronicles how changes in respiration, vibration and resonance impact singing as people age, and she has spoken extensively on the subject around the world.
“We are beyond thrilled to have Karen Brunssen join us,” said Tianhui Ng, Music Director at the PVS. “She is widely considered to be the authority on this topic in vocal music circles. In addition to her incredible breadth of knowledge, Karen brings such a comforting humanity to a subject that I think we are all interested in. We are excited to bring her to the Pioneer Valley, at least virtually!”
The event, called “The Evolving Singing Voice,” will take place on Saturday, November 7 at 7:00PM via Zoom. Tickets can be purchased online at the PVS website, pvsoc.org. Complimentary access to PVS events is also available through a partnership with over 30 regional libraries. Readers are encouraged to ask their local library about free access to PVS events.
This event and the 2020-2021 PVS Presents Season are made possible in part by generous support from Greenfield Cooperative Bank, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, and New England Public Media.
About: The Pioneer Valley Symphony, one of the oldest community orchestras in the nation, has been bringing exceptional live symphonic and choral music to the Pioneer Valley for over 80 years. ​Founded in Greenfield in 1939, the PVS ensembles perform high-quality symphonic and choral music primarily in Franklin and Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts, drawing its volunteer musicians and eager audiences from across the Pioneer Valley and the Northeast.
​
​