Sandra Scott Singing Studios

Jocasta Roper is out and about in a very interesting performance on Saturday 27th August….very intriguing!

Greeting enchanted ones ✨️

It has been brought to my attention that not everybody knows I'm doing this play!
And not everybody knows, that....

You have until THIS FRIDAY to grab a TICKET!!
Livestream, or in-person -- GRAB YOUR TICKETS, NOW!
SHARE this post with family and friends -- that's right, I'm looking at you!

Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, tiktok, Snapchat -- I DON'T CARE!! Just get the word OUT! This is a very big night for me and my friends at - We wamt EVERYBODY to be there, so PLEEEEEEEASE come, or livestream!

We're looking forward to share this wonderful project with you all!

Stay enchanted ✨️

The most comprehensive music festival in the world in the most iconic venue in the world kicks off tonight…something for everyone…online, on radio and wonderful from the unique vantage point of the Balcony! Do go!

Today's the day! ☀️🎶

2024 kicks off 8 weeks of spectacular music making with this evening. BBC Radio 3 has been broadcasting live from Royal Albert Hall from 6:30AM, bringing you backstage sneak peeks ahead of tonight's concert. 🎉

🎧 Listen live from 6:30PM on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds.
📺 Watch from 7:00PM on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

Very useful for us, especially around amplified sound.

Protect your hearing with the Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme from Help Musicians! For just £37.50, ISM members can get an audiological assessment, custom-made earplugs, and expert advice : https://loom.ly/wdftL-0

Two of my singing students Viv and Poly Styrene in early years as music icons ….they both returned to studying voice with me when once again performing…sadly Marianne (Poly) no longer with us. Great role models in younger years and several years later. A pleasure to work with them, gracious and charming both.

-..--..-Debbie Harry (Blondie), Viv Albertine (The Slits), Siouxsie Sioux (Siouxsie and the Banshees), Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders), Poly Styrene (X-Ray Spex) and Pauline Black (The Selecter). Photo by Michael Putland-.-..-

So sad to hear that Donald Sutherland has headed to actors’ heaven. A man of such obvious class, intelligence and charisma and mesmerising with such a resonant and compelling voice….Don’t Look Now is one of my favourite films, his harrowing performance of unknown oncoming doom is extraordinary…..RIP Mr Sutherland.

Donald Sutherland was an irreplaceable aristocrat of cinema | Peter Bradshaw The late actor was a commanding and versatile presence on the big screen, perfecting everything from villainy to sensuality in films such as Don’t Look Now and Klute

The indomitable Mr Quashoff is out and about…great masterclasses my singing students and I attended before Covid…prepare to be bombarded with charm and vocal command!!

Thomas Quasthoff returns this week ✨

Though he relinquished his highly distinguished career as one of the world's great bass-baritones some years ago, Quasthoff will be well remembered for his outstanding performances over many years at Wigmore Hall and elsewhere 🎶

On Wednesday and Thursday at 1.00pm, Quasthoff will give Masterclasses to impart elements of his experience to a new generation of performers 🎼

On Friday evening at 10.00pm, and joined by Simon Oslender, Wofgang Meyer and Shawn Grocott, Quasthoff will turn to jazz, taking his audience on an intimate and colourful journey of discovery through the varied jazz gardens of Gershwin, Cole, Lennon and Ellington 🎙️

🎟️ https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/artists/thomas-quasthoff

Ha ha there was a time people would say opera affected them adversely! How times have changed….opera is just so therapeutic!

Is Opera Good for your Mental Health? Can going to the opera actually improve your mental health?

So proud to be AD and Singing Director on the wonderful Antigone…

http://uniontheatre.biz/show/antigone/

Keep going, keep expressing yourself…..great advice from the marvellous Joyce DiDonato !

An oldie but a goodie...🙏to Joyce DiDonato for all the singers making their own journeys that you continue to inspire ❣️

Joyce DiDonato:
"At 26 was told I had "not much talent" / At 28 was told I "had nothing to say as an artist." At 35, while being rejected for a certain role, was told that it required "star casting" ... so, yep! "
https://twitter.com/JoyceDiDonato/status/953752686620536832

Great advice for professional singers here…vety helpful! Especially the accountancy bit! The worst bit!

To the singers amongst you... pull up a chair, I want to have a little chat.
To fundamentally survive in this career there are many qualities you have to possess, but some we never talk about.

Recently, I was asked to give an interview by a young lady who contacted me to be the subject of a paper she had to write for her degree on someone she admired in the industry. We chatted about a plethora of subjects, about what it means to be an opera singer here in 2024 around the globe.
It got me thinking to all the things we are not taught at music college.
Like:
How to do your own taxes and manage being self employed. I currently pay taxes in three countries, 3 accountants, different rules and different payment systems. I have to learn what to put away and for when. How do you balance that in a climate like today?
These days, it is becoming less likely that a singer will be paid for the rehearsal period. Take my latest contract. World premiere, away for 2.5 months as we had an extended rehearsal period. No rehearsal money, no accommodation cover. So, I had to financially plan ahead knowing that during the revision time, rehearsal time and until after the run of shows were over I'd have no income.
TRICKY STUFF- especially when you're a soprano and you find it hard enough to count bar lines! Haha!
My advice about tax and self employed income is to find an accountant that already has artists on their books, and to always have a back up plan. Don't forget the COMPANY will tax you, and then of course, your manager takes their percentage too.
The other thing I wanted to mention was being able to survive, on your own, for extended periods away. I know various singers cope with this issue in a variety of ways. But the reality is it is TOUGH. I adore meeting new people and love being in the rehearsal room with my colleagues, but what happens after that?
You're often alone, in a foreign place, sometimes surrounded by a language you don't speak. For some this is a great challenge, for others remarkably daunting.
It can be so tough, lonely, and this life will often challenge you- especially in regards to mental health and stress.

However, it is SO important that when you enter this career you do it for the RIGHT reason.
Fame and fortune, in 2024, relate to a VERY small percentage of singers. And even then (as I was talking about with my dear friend Jamie Barton the other day), there is VERY little loyalty from companies these days in regards to work AND a consistency in pay.

So to do this career you need to first and foremost LOVE IT.
Don't do it because you want to be famous, or to live in a palace. Do it because it's all you've ever wanted, because it occupies your heart and your mind every day, because it is who you are.
And then, when the curtain comes down and the audience show their beautiful appreciation- they are clapping not just for your great performance, but for the sacrifice, hurdles and great spirit that you have in order to be up there, doing this daily.
Survive.
Work hard.
Be proud.
❤️❤️❤️

So looking forward to hearing the stunning voice of Mr Orlinski in September…a treat!

Jakub Józef Orliński countertenor; il Pomo d'Oro OverviewThe season’s opening concert sees a return by the extraordinary Polish countertenor (and breakdancer) whose artistry and personality come together to form an irresistibly appealing combination. As the winner of numerous awards – among them a Gramophone Classical Music Award (2019), an In...

A Very Happy Easter to Everyone ….may the spirit of renewal welcome in fresh pastures!

The Trumpet Shall Sound - The Messiah - Music in the Somerset Hills - December 1, 2012 Music in the Somerset Hills http://MusicSH.orgDecember 1, 2012Stephen Sands, artistic directorDashon Burton, bassJohn Theissen, trumpetDan Foster, harpsichord

An incredible night with replacement Judith at the last mo in a subtle and powerful Jennifer Johnston ….the Assistant Director taking to the stage to walk through the role at the last moment…all in all made an already unsettling work even more intriguing….i feel lucky to have been there!

Duke Bluebeard’s Castle review – erotic, unsettling and beautifully staged A last-minute cast substitution added a remarkable gender twist to Bartók’s opera about marital disintegration

Music, the playing of an instrument and course singing can transform life and I love that apparently music can keep us vibrant….when past 30!!

Why playing a musical instrument can keep ageing in tune Learning to play music turns out to be more effective than screen-based activities in maintaining brain health

A sad day for songwriting ….Eric Carmen who wrote some of the most ironic songs of the later 20th Century has gone to singers’ heaven. RIP x

Much-loved singer-songwriter Eric Carmen has died, aged 74. A classically trained pianist, Carmen was best known for his hit song ‘All By Myself’ – which turned Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2 into a chart-topping power ballad. ❤️

Murphylebone Station! 🤣We Congratulate Mr Murphy on his great win and of course All On the Board and Marylebone Station…up the road from my Alma Mater!

Great opportunity for those singers who specialise in American Art Song….love it! Fantastic repertoire, fantastic opportunity!

Call for Applications: Join Villa Albertine in 2025 as a classical music Resident! 🎵

Villa Albertine will award classical music exploratory residencies for professionals seeking to renew their practice and draw inspiration from the American landscape. Residencies will be awarded to

1️⃣ composer, singer, or instrumentalist in the field of classical music,
1️⃣ classical music professional (excluding the above roles),
1️⃣ female orchestra conductor.

Apply by February 1: https://swll.to/emkqKs

This call is presented in partnership with Philharmonie de Paris. Leadership support for Villa Albertine’s residency program is provided by Société Générale.

Graphic Design: © Des Signes Studio, Paris

Those who attended our Christmas Concert ( lovely lovely to have you with us!) will resonate with this wonderful post, thinking of the reading of the heartbreaking story of Martin by Kevin Daly ….dreaming finally of returning to Mount Brandon …well done to the London Irish Centre for helping those in need this Christmas .x

This Christmas Day, we will be opening from 12-4pm for 30 members of our community who would otherwise spend the day alone. 🎄

We’ll be providing a 2 course Christmas dinner, gifts, music, jumpers and connection.

If you can, please donate to help us provide food, or donate a gift to be given out on the day. 🎁

We have a few spaces left, so if you or someone you know is alone this Christmas, call us on 020 7916 2222 to book. First come, first served. Help with transport can be arranged. 💚

https://londonirishcentre.org/donate/

So very deeply saddened to hear of the death of Benjamin Zephaniah…honest and fearless and yet whatever he said one felt he always wanted to connect, his legacy is indeed inspiring but we have lost a giant of a man…RIP x

We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Benjamin Zephaniah.

One of his generation's most celebrated poets and activists, Zephaniah's astute, wise and often witty observations encouraged his readers to confront society’s most pressing political and social injustices.

We were fortunate enough to work with the pioneering writer in 2006, when he curated the exhibition 'Benjamin's Britain' in collaboration with the NPG at Manchester Art Gallery, and again in 2013 on 'Picture the Poet', a touring exhibition, created in partnership with Apples & Snakes and The National Literacy Trust.

Benjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah grew up in Jamaica and in Handsworth, England. As a reggae DJ in Handsworth, he carved a niche for himself, standing apart from his contemporaries with their chants about Jamaican life. Instead, he chose to use Britain as his main point of reference and the influence of Jamaican music and poetry as a springboard for his creativity. At 22, he moved from Birmingham to London and published his first book, 'Pen Rhythm'. Over the next four decades Zephaniah went on to work in television and radio, author many books of poetry, stories for adults, teens and children, non-fiction, as well as several plays. He leaves an extraordinary legacy.

📸 Benjamin Zephaniah by Pogus Caesar, 1986 © Pogus Caesar/ OOM Gallery Archive. All Rights Reserved. DACS/ Artimage

Singing, once again , bringing sheer joy! This time from a postbox….do you think they get a bit cramped in there the singers? Just a thought!! 😀😀

Royal Mail’s singing Christmas postboxes deliver joy and cheer for all to hear across the UK Singing Christmas postboxes have been unveiled by Royal Mail to bring festive joy and cheer to four iconic locations across the UK. The four postboxes

Very sad….The Wall Of Sound spent many many happy hours performing Fairytale of New York…RIP Mr MacGowan

A proud Londoner and proud Irishman. Rest in peace Shane MacGowan 💚

A proud Londoner and proud Irishman. Rest in peace Shane MacGowan 💚

Music …the great healer!

I simply cannot wait…..!!

Monumental official trailer for Bernstein biopic ‘Maestro’ is finally released The official trailer for Bradley Cooper’s ‘Maestro’ has landed, scored with a musical favourite of Bernstein’s – Mahler’s monumental Symphony No.2.

Queen Babs…..reigns supreme…outstanding musicality, couple with flawless technique and sheer class! Never bettered!

Barbra Streisand’s 20 greatest songs – ranked! Ahead of her long-awaited, 992-page memoir being published next month, we pick the best of a singer who always radiates timeless star quality

Classical music to make your day better!

10 incredible benefits of listening to classical music From improving memory to reducing stress, listening to classical music can have surprising and astounding benefits. Discover the potential classical music has to improve your life.