1. Revitalizing Senior Voices
NPM National Conference 2015
Grand Rapids, MI
presented by Michael Kemp
July 8, 2015

2. Former Solution to
Aging Voices!

3. Growing Aging Singers Concern
Significance of Seniors in Choirs
“Old” Sounding Voices
Crucial Question for
Aging Singers
Word of Hope
Senior Singers Can Be Solid Assets in Choirs

4. How I Became Involved with Senior Singer Issues
My mom’s choir
Noticing common
concerns
Free voice lessons to
determine solutions
Survey of seniors in my
own community chorus
about their vocal concerns

5. Common Concerns of Seniors
Running out of breath
Throat gets tight and sore
Loss of high notes
Cracking voices
Inability to project
Phlegm in the throat

6. Director Concerns About Aging Choir Members
“Old” Sound
Lack of Energy
Singing Flat
Wide Vibratos
Voices Sticking Out

7. Path to Problem Solving
Root Causes of
Vocal Problems
Understanding
Vocal Concepts
Path to Solving
Vocal Concerns

8. Explaining Singing Posture

9. Problems Related to Posture
“Old” Sound
Diminished Energy
Muscular Stiffness
Need for Increased
Warm-up Time

10. Explaining Breath Support

11. Problems Related to Breath Support
Typical “Old” Sound
Running Out/Breath
Vibrato Concerns
Throat Tight & Sore
Lack of Agility
Cracking Voices
Weak Entrances
Unclear Consonants

12. Explaining Tone Placement

13. Problems Related to Tone Placement
Inconsistent Singing
Flat Singing/Tuning
Limited Pitch Range
Loss of High Notes
Projecting Low Notes
Thin Sounding Vowels
Feeling of Phlegm in
Throat While Singing

14. Explaining Open Throat Singing

15. Problems Related to Open Throat Singing
Blending Difficulties
Lack of Richness in
Tone Quality
Nasality

16. Most Significant Reminders for Volunteer Singers
Adjust Posture and Faces
Schwaization of all Vowels
Sing Through Final Notes
Phrase Artistically
Peripheral Listening
Stay in Sync With Director

17. Practicing Singing at Home
Benefits of Daily
Singing at Home
Sports Comparisons
Home Vocalise for
Aging Volunteers

18. Best Warm-ups for Seniors
Targeting Phrase
Trajectory
Chord Tuning w/Solfege
Phrase Contours
Adjusting Vowels
Note Grouping
Kyrie

19. In Conclusion
Improving senior singing motivates and enhances the choir’s sound.

20. Michael Kemp New book available soon:
“Rejuvenating Senior Voices: Enhancing the Sound & Confidence of Mature Choirs”
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Contact Michael about a Booster Shot Workshop for your choir!
Call or text