VOCALISTS... Can your PASSION and TRAINING lead you to a SINGING CAREER?

* CLASS DISCUSSION:   
- Have you ever thought of auditioning for THE VOICE, AMERICAN IDOL, or AMERICA'S GOT TALENT?
-The chance to compete would be exciting...but what are the steps to get to ANY of those competitions?  
-Would a contestant have lots of free time to "hang" with buddies, or perhaps be studying with a vocal coach, performing in "open mic" opportunities in local cities, studying online performances of THEIR idols to learn technique?  
-Does anyone here study with a vocal coach? or know someone who has attempted to be a professional vocalist?
-Let's make a "group list" on the smart board of any singers that you've researched on YouTube or other sites.
-Do you know of any APPRENTICE opportunities [perhaps helping out a vocal coach, choir director, or coffee house that hosts an open mic] that might be available in your church, a nearby college, or performing space?  
-Do you have any knowledge of how to effectively mic a singer, run a small soundboard, etc. in case someone would need help?
It's important to know that, though the spotlight is bright and the sets are dazzling, the performers must "pay their dues" [ which equals  doing disciplined work every day, ] in order to have a trained vocal  instrument that is able to "transport" listeners, make the judges push their buzzers, and coerce record label executives to give them a contract.  

PERSONAL RESEARCH PROJECT:  NOTES/ADVICE FROM OLD & NEW FAVORITE VOCALISTS..." IDOL'S LIST"
- Make your own "IDOL'S LIST" of 10 vocalists that you admire...with 1/2 page notes/ info for each vocalist.
-Either keep a physical notepad or keep notes in a FILE on your Chromebook
-Watch the INTERVIEW VIDEOS that your teacher will play from this lesson, and make notes, [ positive, negative, or just descriptive] about the training, lifestyle, etc. of these singers.
-Utilize research that you may be able to do at home after class to add to your list.   
-1) FULL PAGE:  "SIMPLE STARTER  PLAN" - you will write a plan you can implement now, no matter how simple, to broaden your "vocal knowledge & experience" within 2-3 weeks in your community. This may take phone calls, talking to musicians,  & seeking out volunteer opportunities at your church or at a performing venue.
2)FULL PAGE, 1 WEEK LATER:  "TAKE FLIGHT PLAN", Write  a more complete, long-reaching plan, after researching  vocal clinics, schools, summer arts camps, churches, & local performing venues, that could possibly include some new experiences/ venues for performance, learning @ mics,  small sound systems,arts camp sessions during summer break, or a volunteer experience at a church, coffee house, or auditorium [even ushing for vocal concerts!] to broaden your scope of what is possible, and what is interesting TO YOU!
3) Your IDOL'S LIST info, plus your SIMPLE STARTER PLAN, and your TAKE FLIGHT PLAN, constitutes your VOCAL RESEARCH PROJECT.  
 

PART ONE/assessment
 - Watch each video interview/performance again, on your own
 - Write a short report which includes:

• states /cities where the vocalist was academically trained, &        also has performed as a professional
•  your general impression of their singing style, speaking style [during the interview], their choices of clothing for the interview, and if it was easy for you  to"connect" with their conversation. 

PART TWO/assessment
-Revisit your "SIMPLE STARTER" plan. 
-Write 4 emails/or make 4 phone calls to performing venues, community theatres, summer music camps, etc. to GATHER INFO FOR FUTURE INVOLVEMENT.
-Write the results of the emails and/or phone calls, listing contacts that may be helpful in the future
-Add these contacts to your "TAKE FLIGHT" plan, and then write a paragraph of new ideas  [at least 4 sentences]for performing in your city in the immediate future...school, church, coffee house, open mic's in town, etc.  
-Make a list  of any friends who have similar interests who may want to visit venues with you and collect info for future performing opportunities.