David Scott - Singer

Continuing on from my previous post, about singing ‘on the diaphragm’ I think this article by Denis Garcia gives a really good overview of the importance of breathing and support in Musical Theatre singing:

The Importance of Breath Support: Optimizing Your Vocal Technique - Musical Theater Center As a passionate performer and vocal coach, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of proper breath support. It's the foundation upon which all

Last weekend I had the privilege of adjudicating some singing competitions at the Wesley Interschools Music Festival. I tried to be as constructive as possible with my feedback. One thing I wrote over and over was the importance of low breathing from core muscles, not the chest. Whe giving my adjudication I would briefly mention the diaphragm to just give a little information, in the hope that the young singers would try to read a bit about it. So I’m going to share a few videos and resources here on the importance of this type of breathing. This is applicable to all genres; classical, musical theatre and pop. To get the ball rolling here is a short video from the great tenor Pavarotti. I love this because at 1.51 he says that a child (baby) can cry all night without losing their voice because it is on their diaphragm. As a father of two small children, I can confirm he is right. I’ll post more, but this is a good place to start:

Luciano Pavarotti speaks about Diaphragmatic Support. Luciano Pavarotti speaks about Diaphragmatic Support.

After ten years of prepping students and sitting in the audience as a teacher, today I sat behind the desk as adjudicator of the Popular Song categories at the Wesley Interschools Music Festival. It’s a difficult job, but it was so rewarding to see so many young people perform to a high standard. As I pointed out when giving feedback, it’s a journey and getting the opportunity to perform in this environment gives invaluable learning. Well done to all the teachers who sign their students up, you are giving them great experience.

Here are a few audience photos from yesterday’s performance of Acis and Galatea with DCC’s Opera in the Open at the Wood Quay Amphitheatre.

Best of luck to everyone involved in this season’s Opera in the Open, which gets under way today with Carmen in the Wood Quay Amphitheatre. I’ll be performing Polyphemus in Acis and Galatea on Thursday 21st August.
Full season info here:

www.dublincityartsoffice.ie

RIP Tom Lehrer.

I recorded one of his songs as part of a 'Parlour Songs' project for nursing homes during the lockdowns with Brian Coleman, which explains my dodgy haircut here.

This is Poisoning Pigeons in the Park. Due to the situation, there were no rehearsals and social distancing on set, so it was very much one take and done. Looking back at the recording I actually think the song should be delivered with a bit more dry wit than I performed here, that way the satire is more cutting.

I obviously don't encourage anyone to poison or harm birds, this is tongue in cheek, but the song comes to mind when I'm trying to enjoy a roll in my local park and I get surrounded by birds... Enjoy!

Tom Lehrer: Poisoning Pigeons in the Park Music and Lyrics: Tom LehrerBaritone: David ScottPianist: Tristan RusscherRecorded by Brian Coleman as part of Parlour Songs.Disclaimer:I, Tom Lehrer, indivi...

I did a recital at the Boyle Arts Festival - lots of opera arias, French song and Lieder. And then at the end I sang two Tom Lehrer songs, and the audience raved about them. The review in the Roscommon Herald said it was the most enjoyable part of the recital! They are a little risqué as the satire written in the 1950s/60s actually became reality. But I can guarantee there is an audience for his work, and the man himself renounced the copyright on his songs to encourage performance. RIP Tom Lehrer

As promised, here’s another upload to my YouTube. This time it’s Ralph Vaughan Williams’s most popular song, Silent Noon. Enjoy!

Ralph Vaughan Williams: Silent Noon Music: Ralph Vaughan WilliamsText: Dante Gabriel RossettiBaritone: David ScottPianist: Aileen CahillRecorded live at 'Music in Calary Church'Images:A close-u...