Voice Lessons and Choral Singing in Grants Pass
Would you like to improve your singing voice, extend your range, or hone your musical theater skills? Embarking on a singing journey is not just about hitting the right notes, it's about finding your voice and building confidence in your abilities. Whether you choose one-on-one instruction or choral singing, our voice lessons at Southern Oregon School of Music will help you grow as a performer.
Southern Oregon School of Music offers two singing groups for young singers. Our Children's Choir is a singing class for children ages 6-8. Singers ages 8-18 are invited to join our Youth Ensemble, a vibrant vocal group that is often accompanied by a variety of instruments played by teachers and advancing students.
Rehearsals for both groups begin with a time of vocal instruction focusing on the techniques of beautiful singing followed by a rehearsal of positive and uplifting music from a variety of genres.
Choir
Southern Oregon Youth Ensemble
Ages 8-18
Thursdays 4:15-5:15
Southern Oregon Children's Choir
Staring in January. Join our waitlist!
Ages 5-8 Years
Tuesdays 4:15-5:15
50% discount if you are already a Member with Us
What you Will Learn in Vocal Lessons:
Students enrolled in private singing lessons receive training in posture and alignment, diaphragmatic breathing, breath support, vocal resonance, vocal range, diction & articulation, and expressive singing. Longer lessons of 45 or 60 minutes may also include music theory and sight singing.
Repertoire is tailored to the vocal progress and preferences of the student and may include classical, Broadway, popular, multi-cultural, and traditional or contemporary Christian music.
What you Will Learn in Choral Singing:
The Southern Oregon Children's Choir includes exercises and games focused on foundational singing techniques. The Youth Ensemble continues to work on vocal technique and adds a focus on reading music notation, singing in harmony, and sight singing. Both groups also rehearse songs to be performed at our concert at the end of each session.
This variety allows for singing interspersed with other activities which is much healthier for young voices than a private session with 30 minutes of continual focused vocal exercises and singing.
Both choirs at Southern Oregon School of Music sing a wide variety of positive and uplifting songs which may include classical, Broadway, popular, multi-cultural, and traditional or contemporary Christian music.
The groups perform at our concert at the end of each session and may also perform at a variety of community events throughout the year.
Vocal Lessons Make a Difference!
Similar to working out to get in shape or the development of an athlete who exercises their muscles and trains to excel in their sport, vocal exercise and training can make a significant difference in the quality of the voice and its use in singing.
Principles of beautiful singing have been known and taught for centuries, even before the names of all the muscles and other moving parts of the vocal mechanism were understood. Current vocal pedagogy is now informed by science and so is even more effective.
Our Children's Choir is the Best Option
for Young Singers:
Singing lesson options at Southern Oregon School of Music are designed for the age of the singer. It is important to understand the development of the voice at different ages and to differentiate singing lessons accordingly.
The breathing mechanisms and vocal chords of younger children are not fully developed and are not ready for the same type of vocal exercise that is a part of the training routine for teens and adults. However, younger singers are ready to learn some of the foundational aspects of good singing technique that will prepare them for more challenging vocal exercises when they are older. We offer these lessons in a group setting which allows for young voices to have breaks as they participate in non-singing activities such as playing a music game.
FAQs:
What should I bring to my singing lesson?
Your music bag and all the music you are currently working on. -Room temperature water -Notebook and pencil to take notes -Phone or voice recorder to record vocal exercises for practice at home -Any additional music you would like to learn to sing
How long will I need to take singing lessons?
Planning to take singing lessons for at least a year is a reasonable starting point. If you enjoy your lessons, you may want to continue throughout your school years and even beyond. There is always more to learn! In fact, many professional singers continue voice training throughout their careers. Vocal training can feel less concrete than learning a physical instrument. The muscles involved in singing, like those in your larynx and diaphragm, aren’t typically controlled consciously. Learning to become aware of them and developing the ability to control them takes time and consistent effort. How long it takes varies from person to person and depends on factors such as: -Your age -How focused you are during lessons -How much time you dedicate to practicing -The quality of your practice -Taking notes or recording your lessons and repeating exercises at home will help -The condition of your voice when you begin Progress can sometimes feel slow, but you’ll likely have breakthrough moments when something clicks and everything improves in that area. These moments are a natural and encouraging part of the learning process.
Will taking singing lessons ruin my natural singing style? I don't want to sound like an opera singer.
Singing lessons give you the necessary skills to sing in whatever style or genre you choose. You will learn about the mechanism of diaphragmatic breathing and how to support your breath. You will develop good tone and effective resonance, as well as increase your stamina, control, vocal agility, volume and range. Having complete control over your voice, breath and tone will enable you to have more flexibility and versatility, not less.
What can I do to maintain a healthy voice?
-Drink plenty of water to keep your vocal folds lubricated. -Use a humidifier in your home. -Warm up your voice using vocal exercises before singing a performance, giving a presentation, or talking for extended periods of time -Don't strain your voice - avoid shouting and yelling. If you do strain your voice, try to rest your voice for a day or two - talking as little as possible or resting your voice for ten minutes every couple of hours. -Don't clear your throat too often. Instead, try swallowing or drinking water. -Don't sing when you have a cold or other illness.
Is it possible to schedule lessons every other week (biweekly)?
It could possibly work during the school day, but not after 2:00 pm since these times are in such high demand. Also in our experience, we have found that although it can work for adults, biweekly lessons with children are generally not successful. They need the consistency of weekly support from their teacher. The classical guitar with nylon strings is the most common to find in smaller sizes and It is also best for young beginners since it is easier on their fingers. After your child has built up some callouses and is ready to move up a size, they can change to a steel string guitar if that is their preference. GUITAR SIZE HEIGHT 1/4 Size Guitar - up to 3'9" tall 1/2 Size Guitar - up to 4'3" tall 3/4 Size Guitar - up to 4'11" tall 7/8 Size Guitar - up to 5'1" tall Full Size Guitar - 5'2 and taller When you invest in guitar lessons for your child it is very important that you also invest in a quality guitar. Inexpensive guitars often have a higher action (distance from string to the fretboard) that makes the guitar difficult to play. A quality guitar will be much easier to play, and your child will be proud of the beautiful sound it makes. Since it will be more fun to play, your child will enjoy practicing more and make better progress in their lessons.
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Sing . . . the world needs your music in it.
~Anonymous~
