Choral Pedagogy and the Older Singer

First Edition

Brenda Smith, Robert T. Sataloff

Details: 368 pages, B&W, Softcover, 6" x 9"

ISBN13: 978-1-59756-438-0

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About

This book should help conductors adjust expectations and methods to suit the condition and abilities of older singers. Maintaining one's vocal skill in later years is the goal, since getting better may not be possible. Knowing that every choral conductor hopes a choir will improve from season to season, a new paradigm for the aging choir must be established. Once involved, the conductor of older singers is certain to reap the benefits of making music with people whose appreciation of the text, the music and the act of singing is deeper than in any younger ensemble.

Reviews

"The resurgence in the popularity of choral singing and the increasing expectation of active participation in a range of activities are combining to encourage more people to enjoy singing well into older age. This American book is designed to help choir conductors adjust their expectations and methods to suit the condition and abilities of older singers. It supports this with a wealth of information about the ageing voice and how to look after it and use it well.

SLTs working with older people who run into difficulties with both their speaking and singing voices will find this book of immense interest. The chapters on medical and vocal health are clear and accessible and particularly helpful. They bring together familiar and new information on anatomy, physiology, conditions, factors affecting the voice and approaches and treatments. This is a treasure trove, well worth a look. My copy is already well thumbed."
—Patricia Henshaw, Principal SLT, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Bulletin (Sept. 2012)

Foreword
Preface
About the Authors
Contributors

I. Introduction
1. Working with Older Singers
2. Choral Pedagogy and Vocal Health

II. Vocal Technique For The Older Singer
3. The Basics of Singing

III. Aspects Of Vocal Technique For Older Singers
4. Range, Stamina, and Voice Quality
5. Tone, Pitch Matching, and Tuning
6. Age- and Size-Appropriate Singing
7. Warm-Up and Cooldown Procedures
8. Special Considerations for Teaching Older Singers
9. Rhythm, Discipline, and Brain Function
10. Vibrato Rate

IV. Vocal Health and Pedagogy
11. Anatomy and Physiology of the Voice
12. Medical Care of Voice Disorders
13. Performing Arts Medicine and the Professional Voice User: Risk of Nonvoice Performance
14. Seating Problems of Vocalists

V. Vocal Health and the Older Singer
15. Vocal Health and the Older Singer
16. The Use of Nutrition and Integrative Medicine or Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Older Choral Singers
17. Vocal Exercise Physiology: Training for a Lifetime

VI. Repertoire For All Ages
18. Content and Language
19. Manner of Performance
20. Choral Diction

VII. Choral Rehearsal And The Older Singer
21. The Rehearsal Process
22. Choral Rehearsal and the Older Singer
23. Men and Singing
24. Women and Singing

VIII. Conclusion
25. Singing and Aging

Bibliography
Glossary
Index

Authors

Brenda Smith

Brenda Smith, DMA, a lyric soprano, teaches studio voice, singer’s diction, and vocal pedagogy at the University of Florida in Gainesville. She is widely recognized for her contributions to the concept of lifelong singing through proper voice care. Brenda Smith’s most recent publication is Diction in Context: Singing in English, Italian, German, and French. She is the author of So You Want to Sing for a Lifetime: A Guide to Performer, a publication sponsored by the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Dr. Smith and Dr. Robert T. Sataloff have collaborated on a variety of projects to promote vocal health through choral singing. They are the co-authors of two textbooks, Choral Pedagogy, Third Edition and Choral Pedagogy and the Older Singer that unite voice science, vocal pedagogy with choral conducting. Brenda Smith serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Voice and is a Consulting Editor for Plural Publishing. In recognition of demonstrated excellence in teaching and her interest in voice science, Dr. Smith received the Van Lawrence Fellowship in 2000, presented by The Voice Foundation and the NATS. Before joining the University of Florida faculty, she taught at Westminster Choir College, Dickinson College, and Rowan University.

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Robert T. Sataloff

Robert T. Sataloff, MD, DMA, FACS, is Professor and Chair, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Academic Specialties, Drexel University College of Medicine. He also holds Adjunct Professorships in the Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; and he is on the faculty of the Academy of Vocal Arts. He serves as Conductor of the Thomas Jefferson University Choir. Dr. Sataloff is also a professional singer and singing teacher. He holds an undergraduate degree from Haverford College in Music Theory and Composition; graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; received a Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance from Combs College of Music; and he completed Residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and a Fellowship in Otology, Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery at the University of Michigan. Dr. Sataloff is Chair of the Boards of Directors of the Voice Foundation and of the American Institute for Voice and Ear Research. He also has served as Chair of the Board of Governors of Graduate Hospital; President of the American Laryngological Association, the International Association of Phonosurgery, the Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and the American Society of Geriatric Otolaryngology, Vice President of the Eastern Section of the Triological Society, and in numerous other leadership positions. Dr. Sataloff is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Voice; Editor Emeritus of Ear, Nose and Throat Journal; Associate Editor of the Journal of Singing; on the Editorial Board of Medical Problems of Performing Artists and is an editorial reviewer for numerous otolaryngology journals. He is a member of the Editorial Panel of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. Dr. Sataloff has written over 1,200 publications including 78 books, and he has been awarded more than $5 million in research funding. His h-index is 48 (as of March 2025). He has invented more than 75 laryngeal microsurgical instruments distributed currently by Integra Medical, ossicular replacement prostheses produced by Grace Medical, and a novel laryngeal prosthesis (patent pending). He holds a patent on unique thyroplasty implant. His medical practice is limited to care of the professional voice and to otology/neurotology/skull base surgery. Dr. Sataloff has developed numerous novel surgical procedures including total temporal bone resection for formerly untreatable skull base malignancy, laryngeal microflap and mini-microflap procedures, vocal fold lipoinjection, vocal fold lipoimplantation, and others. Dr. Sataloff is recognized as one of the founders of the field of voice, having written the first modern comprehensive article on care of singers, and the first chapter and book on care of the professional voice, as well as having influenced the evolution of the field through his own efforts and through the Voice Foundation for over 4 decades. Dr. Sataloff has been recognized by Best Doctors in America (Woodward White Athens) every year since 1992, Philadelphia Magazine since 1997, and Castle Connolly’s “America’s Top Doctors” since 2002.

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