Katherine Jenkins: The New Face of Vocal Pedagogy

Yes, you heard it right - Katherine Jenkins will be one of the vocal coaches on Popstar to Opera Star, a new British reality show about 8 celebrities who will be learning classical singing. Expressed as an equation:

Popstar to Opera Star = Bathroom Divas + Dancing With the Stars

There's more! Myleene Klass (previously featured here) will be one of the hosts! Here is KJ on today's T4 discussing physical contact, sexy positions for singing, and the experience of being targeted by a missile launcher in Iraq:



(Via Opera Chic)

Stephen Hough on Pedaling

If you've ever fussed and bothered over how to create those nine shades of pink that lie between red and white, you should definitely check out Stephen Hough's Depressed: the amazing world of the pedal in the Telegraph Culture Blog. An excerpt:

Actually, if I’m going to be a stickler for complete accuracy, Rubinstein probably should have said dampers instead of pedal, as the latter is merely the tool to activate the former – the sole connecting with the soul. Every note on a piano is a hammer striking strings, and every one of those strings (except the short ones in the far treble) has a damper on it. As the keys are depressed the dampers automatically rise to allow the strings to vibrate; then as the note is released the damper falls down again onto the strings to snuff out the vibration. The pedal (we always mean the right pedal when the word is singular) lifts up all of the dampers at once, making the whole instrument a box of resonance. It’s the opening of the curtains on a sunny day.

Stephen Hough's 2010 performance schedule can be found here.

The Collaborative Piano Blog Facebook Page Is Now an Open Forum for Members/Fans

One of the coolest things about writing the Collaborative Piano Blog over the last four and a half years is being able to connect with so many people in the musical world, hearing so many opinions, and having a lot of fun at the same time. I get lots of emails from people all over the world, many of them from people asking questions that I simply don't have answers to. Many of you still feel that there needs to be an open forum where people from the collaborative piano community can connect on a wide variety of matters. Therefore, as of now I would like to open up the Collaborative Piano Blog Facebook Page (which just broke the 600 fan mark!) to the community as a place where you can:

• ask questions to the readership about a wide variety of CP-related subjects, such as the best places to study, recommended teachers, suggested audition rep, and best business practices either in a discussion group or on the wall
  
• post information about upcoming events on the wall
• post concert programs, videos and pictures
• post links for programs
• ask questions about degree programs and summer festivals
• find a pianist in a given geographic area (after all, the membership is largely a who's who of capable pianists from around the globe)

I would like to keep the tone positive, so if you're looking to expose an unscrupulous employer, please use the People for the Ethical Treatment of Accompanists Group instead. For now, I would like to give fans a wide berth to talk about and post the things they feel are important.

However.

I would like the discussion to remain on topic, so I'll check the content of the page regularly, and if anyone posts anything in the least bit spammy, I won't hesitate to remove the content.

So if you haven't already become a member of the Collaborative Piano Blog Facebook Page, I invite you to become a fan right away and join the conversation!

The National Broadcast Orchestra Debuts in Vancouver on January 8

A few years back, the CBC Radio Orchestra was disbanded due to CBC funding cuts. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of a lot of people across Canada, the last radio orchestra on the continent has now been reborn as the National Broadcast Orchestra. This Friday at the University of British Columbia's Chan Centre, the NBO will be appearing in a gala fundraiser to support its inaugural season. Their first video:



Look for more NBO performances on the internet, which is replacing traditional radio outlets as a primary broadcast venue. Here's how to stay apprised of more National Broadcast Orchestra events:

NBO website
Facebook page
Twitter
YouTube channel
Make a donation to the National Broadcast Orchestra

The Collaborative Piano Blog Will Be an Official Partner for the MTNA Year of Collaborative Music

This March in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Music Teachers National Association will be launching The Year of Collaborative Music, a year-long initiative to bring attention to the art of collaborative music-making. More about the YCM:

The Year of Collaborative Music will celebrate the importance of collaborative music making in society and in the profession worldwide. Begun by collaborative pianists within MTNA and led by significant national and international music associations, YCM will promote the diversity of ensemble playing opportunities available to musicians of all ages and skill levels.

I am now proud to announce that the Collaborative Piano Blog will be a partner organization with the MTNA for the Year of Collaborative Music. Starting in March 2010, stay tuned for listings, descriptions, and articles about events throughout North America that will be offered as part of this initiative.

Victor Borge Demonstrates How Not To Practice

From the Muppet Show, Victor Borge demonstrates the correct way NOT to practice...



For some advice on how you might better spend your time practicing in the New Year, take a look at 31 Days to Better Practicing: The Complete Series.

(Via @SchupbachPiano on Twitter)

Peter Longworth and Mark Johnston Play the Richard Strauss Violin Sonata

From Jon Terauds' list of 5 top Toronto musicians (he actually mentions 7), these two videos showcase the work of Toronto pianist Peter Longworth in recital with violinist Mark Johnston as they play the first movement of the Richard Strauss Violin Sonata in the Royal Conservatory's Mazzoleni Hall.  Also take a look at Peter's Facebook group (he is not a member) entitled Peter Longworth is always right (FB ID req'd).