Power performance for singers [electronic resource] : transcending the barriers / Shirlee Emmons, Alma Thomas.

ISBN:

9780199761784

Title:

Author:

Emmons, Shirlee.

Personal Author:

Emmons, Shirlee.

Publication Information:

New York : Oxford University Press, 1998.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xvi, 320 pages)

Contents:

The power of performance -- This thing called performance -- The characteristics of peak performance -- What is mental toughness -- Preperformance -- The performance cycle : plans and routines -- The self and performance : you, the person; you, the performer -- Physical well-being and relaxation -- Setting goals -- Developing self-confidence through positive thinking -- The art of concentrating -- Distractions -- Dealing with anxiety -- Imagery in performance -- Memory -- The coach's place in singer's preperformance work -- Performance -- Exploring and planning "meaning" for performance -- The audition and the competition -- The song recital and the staged performance -- The coach's and/or accompanist's place in singers' audition, competition, and performance work -- Fear in performance -- Postperformance -- Postperformance management -- Staleness and burnout in performers -- Mental rehabilitation following vocal injury or illness.

Local Note:

eBooks on EBSCOhost

Subject Term:

Singing -- Psychological aspects.

Added Author:

Thomas, Alma, 1939-

Format:

Electronic Resources

Electronic Access:

Click here to view

Publication Date:

1998

Publication Information:

New York : Oxford University Press, 1998.

Available:*

Shelf Number	Material Type	Copy	Shelf Location	Status
783.043 22	1:E-BOOK	1	1:ONLINE	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

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Summary

To perform well in today's highly competitive world where technical skills have been advanced to an unprecedented degree, a singer must be able to handle incredible pressure within the performing arena; his or her ability to deal with this stress will often determine whether he or she will succeed. Why, then, do singers with less technical skill sometimes out-perform stars? Why do some stars suddenly stop performing? What is that mysterious factor that makes an electric performance? Consistent, competent performances do not depend solely upon superior vocal skills, nor are they a matter of luck. On the contrary, the best performances result from a combination of mental attitude, concrete performing skills, and excellent technical skills in that order. Yet most singers have never had the opportunity to acquire the essential skills that make for a successful career.Written as a self-help manual for singers at all levels of expertise, Power Performance for Singers is designed to teach performing artists, and especially singers, how to experience elite performance at their level. The skills outlined in this book will help singers use what they have, to enjoy their voices during performance, and to perform consistently to the best of their present ability.

Author Notes

Shirlee Emmons is a prominent New York City voice teacher and has taught at Columbia, Princeton, Boston, and Rutgers Universities. She is author of Tristanissimo (1990) and The Art of the Song Recital.Alma Thomas is an accredited sports psychologist who works with British sports stars in all fields, as well as dancers, singers, actors, lawyers, politicians, and international tennis and golf players.

Reviews (1)

Choice Review

Emmons (a prominent voice pedagogue) and Thomas (a sports and performance psychologist) offer advice on how to achieve peak performance unhampered by fear of failure. They discuss learned techniques of physical relaxation and awareness of the body and surroundings that establish confidence, optimistic attitudes, and positive thinking. Although intended for performers at all levels of accomplishment, the setting of goals, numerous exercises, written self-evaluations, and mental challenges (right /left brain activities) are directed chiefly to the anxiety-ridden professional. The authors deal with singers who suffer diverse forms of stress; reports on successes are largely anecdotal. Topics include the power of successful performance, mental toughness, competition auditioning, teacher/student relationships, coachings, physical well-being, memorization, performance anxiety, distractions, burnout, mental rehabilitation, and postperformance evaluation. The authors append 20 worksheets. The bibliography draws heavily on sports-research sources. Useful primarily to professional singers and teachers searching for performance reassurance. R. Miller Oberlin College