“Sing! Sing! Sing!”
by Ginevra Ralph, Director of Education
Singing is indisputably the most basic of musical forms, assuredly as rudimentary as any form of human communication. For many of us our first strong memory of music is a parent tucking us into bed with a lullaby. Across cultures, singing in a group is a key element to community--be it at church, in political arenas, social gatherings, rites of passage, performances, celebrations, and much more. A number of studies have correlated improved health, mental acumen and emotional well-being across all ages for those involved in singing--from youngsters, adults, and even seniors with memory loss. But more importantly, really, singing is an immediate, visceral and easy entry into making music with others simply for the fun of it!
We are proud to inaugurate the School’s new Vocal Department, under the leadership of singer, director, accompanist, and certified music teacher Amy Adams, with the launch of a number of new singing classes this year – starting off with
Lullabies, Game Songs & Mozart for expectant parents to start their babies off with music;
Jump Up Singing for toddlers;
The Shedd Singers for elementary/middle school students;
Wine and Cheese After-Work Chorus for busy adults;
and Unforgettable for residential senior facilities. We add these to our existing classes of
Stagecraft for teens interested in musical theater, and
Breaking the Sound Barrier for deaf, hard-of-hearing singers/signers and/or folks who have lost their voice.
None of these programs have auditions or performance requirements. They are designed to build friendship, memories and good times. Participants can help with song choices – from pop, gospel, folk, shaped-note, barbershop, American songbook, holiday songs, and more. We welcome non-music readers and sight readers alike and singers of all abilities. Lyrics can be Brailled and we can produce study CDs.
Singing literally and figuratively moves you. As the great Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie would encourage you: come together at The Shedd, be moved, and Sing Out!