Ms. Chick

Surely Carmen will more than likely take the bottom of the three women, correct? Or is this a stage direction? I'm looking in the Schirmer score.

I've been teaching piano out of the old Bastien series for beginners for a long time. I wanted to see if I should switch to something more appealing to younger children (I still like Alfred or Bastien the best for older ones). Someone suggested Fabor piano books or the Beanstalk series. Has anyone used those and how do you like them? Which out of the 3 are the best in your opinion?

I haven't been in answers in so long, much has changed. LOL!

I am performing in an opera concert in about two months, and everything is pretty much set EXCEPT...the soprano and I are trying to find an upbeat duet from an opera that is not used 500 times, but is easily accessible for the first number. We looked into doing the duet from Rinaldo "Fermati, No crudel", but we can't find the daggone thing anywhere since the opera is rarely sung (especially that duet). We found the score, but who wants to pay 50 dollars for one duet?

She is a lighter lyric, and I am a heavier lyric mezzo. It would be nice to have something from the Baroque period, but it isn't necessary. We are both seasoned singers, so advanced operatic suggestions would be great as well.

Please, no Sull'aria and please no Lakme. We are so tried of those two duets that we would ALMOST rather slit our wrists. LOL! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We plan on finalizing our decision this weekend. My brain is gone and I can't think of anything fun and upbeat for us.

I have just taken a home based job which is going to keep me from going to the gym as often as I'd like in conjunction with college courses. I have a step aerobics work out which is great, but now it is boring me! LOL! Are there any other alternative DVD's out there that are advanced? I don't want that easy to start workouts for beginners. I like to challenge myself.

I want to use one as a suggestion for a christmas gift to me. Any suggestions?

I moved to a new area for grad school in the fall, and I have yet to find a church I want to become a member of.

I live in the deeper part of the South, so some churches had members who actually look at me as if I had the cooties. I am not a stranger to being one of the few minorities in a situation, but I am NOT used to people looking at me like I don't belong in the same seat just because I don't look like them.

The other churches have pastors who yell about how women belong in the kitchen, and I guess I am going to hell for divorcing my husband who drained this family mentally, physically, and financially with his "problem". I was told I was to submit (as Paul said) regardless of how he behaves. I did submit, but way too long. If I had any sense, I wouldn't be in this horrible place if I would have taken a stand a long time ago for the sake of me and my children. Now, some irreplaceable damage has been caused because I didn't leave him fast enough years ago, and I am not sure how to get out of it. Not to mention one church he was seeking counsel at had this nut putting oil on my walls and windows, and told him I wouldn't leave him. Now he is obsessed and refuses to accept our marriage is over. Before he moved to another state, he had stalker tendencies. Once I told him our marriage was over, he lost control and he got physical (but being the woman I am, I defended myself). I think those people didn't help the situation. Now I have to wonder about my own safety once I file the paperwork after watching his meltdown because the church told him it wasn't over between us since he prayed. Prayer isn't doing it. They forgot to tell him the behavior must change, or that you must pay for your consequences.

All of these churches I visited are either far left or far right. No in between. Even going as far as to say who I should vote for, who I should befriend, what I should sing, where I should work, and other untruths unbiblical that don't make sense. I know there is no perfect church, but I refuse to be part of a cult like church. Any suggestions on what I should do? I hate church hoping and want to settle somewhere, if possible.

Or should I just study on my own?

I know there is no such thing as a perfect church. But I don't fit into this area, and in church is no better. I don't feel comfortable, and I feel like this area in some ways is behind in progression with the rest of the world. I think gathering with church members is important. But here, where is the medium? Its either too left or too right, or they were crazy. LOL

Or is this a common problem everywhere? Where I used to live had more choices and the people were open. I think my choice to come here has been a big mistake, and I am still questioning why I am here, even though I know there is a reason.

I don't know why this glorious singer decided to sing a piece that was totally wrong for her voice type. I guess I should sing the Queen of the NIght Aria although I'm a Mezzo just because I like it and I can SCREECH the notes. LOL!

Any thoughts on other musicians who made a bad choice in music during a performance just because they liked the piece?

Now that the economy is in a huge slump, what do you think will happen to our careers as performers and teachers? If you have already retired or if you have tenure, what do you think will happen to the young ones?

I have noticed in some places, the concert attendance is slipping due to high prices. In some ways ticket prices are lowering.

How does this affect education? DO you see them booting music out of public school programs? I just wonder what other working musicians think on this subject. Usually arts programs are the first to go and that is scary for a growing musician.

We all know her reputation, but most of her friends that started out with her said she was NOTHING like a temperamental diva people say she is. Do you think something went on behind the scenes that we just don't know about careerwise? Do you think the pressure was too much for her or if something more delicate took place?

One professional coach said she was really manic depressive, and was mentally unstable from a medical standpoint. A friend of mine who met her said she acted unstable as if something was REALLY wrong with her, beyond her diva rep. Some just say she's just a b....

I'm not trying to defend K, because I can't stand egomaniacs. It just seems as if something is missing from the puzzle in the press. Something we just don't know. Do you think she is misrepresented, or do you think she was just smelling herself. Or heck is it a little bit of both. I'm just curious as to what people think. I just saw a recent youtube performance, and she didn't seem to be the old Kathleen on stage. And she's only 59, opera singers can still be incredible at that age.

Anyone else you know that's been though a similar experience? I had to cut one friend of mine loose because of her erratic behavior, but she wound up in the mental hospital. I kind of felt bad, but she was so draining to deal with.

I recently started graduate school on an assistantship. I found out some things that I had no idea was going on with the full time status. The graduate program is new, and boy does it show. I have been bounced back and forth since school started. I can't access my financial aid money. Every time I ask them is there anything else I need to do, they tell me no, only to find out there is more for me to do AFTER THE FACT. I've been promised the aid several times in the last couple of weeks and still no access. This is after I have asked several times will I have access to the funds once I started school. Of course they tell me everything is fine. Only for me to find out its not.

In addition, I am the only grad student with kids, and I feel as if the program is too much like an undergraduate program. I am taking graduate level classes with undergraduates. The exception is graduate students get extra papers or other things here and there. I find out things that I have to attend AFTER my schedule is finished. Not only that, but I had no say in scheduling my classes. I still don't understand that. Luckily, I got the voice teacher I wanted, but I had no say in that (I was supposed to). People have been constantly telling me one thing, only to find its something else. My husband is having issues with his job here (that's a whole new story that actually isn't his fault). I guess that is just how this small town runs, and it is annoying.

My assistantship, when I applied for it, said 4 hours of work. Now, on the website it states 4, but they are making us do 6 ours. I find that odd. Being the fact that the school will not let me access my money, I will be behind on bills. I am taking a job. However, this graduate school program is so close to an undergraduate ideal that it will be impossible for me to take on another job unless it is a church job. I am required to attend all these functions, take role, and I have no freedom. I don't know how they are going to cast me for the upcoming opera, because I am so ahead of everyone else in my studies (since I have been doing operas, oratorios, and recitals before hand). Thank God I have a great teacher, but I am beginning to wonder if I've made a mistake. Now don't get me wrong, I expected grad school to be extremely hard and painstaking. But a friend of mine working on her doctorate told me the things that I've told her shouldn't be going on in a graduate level. I've drug my whole family here, quit a GREAT job, left my singing connects for a school that I am not sure can give me what I need. I thought I did my research. You know, schools always MAKE themselves seem attractive and pretend to offer accommodations that they can't just to get you hooked.

Am I overreacting? I know there are other grad students complaining, but theyare only mumbling among other grad students. I have been vocal about it, but then again I am the only one with kids. I feel so bad about my decision now, and I wish I would have applied for the other grad schools. I was hoping that this school would give me more of an intimate setting for classes since my undergrad was pretty large in number. However, my undergrad was much more organized and realistic. I am thinking to reduce my classes and take the minimum amount, get a job, and look to Boston University, except it would mean I would take music education (I am sure some of you have heard of that program). I can always continue to study with my teacher, and continue to work in the professional world. The biggest issue is since the other voice grad student hasn't really had a career as I have (she's only been out but 2 years), I am the only person thinking things are redundant, and you shouldn't have to tell a graduate student to do these things. Please tell me if I am in over my head. If you have experience, any thoughts?

I am attending graduate school and everything is in place. My assistantship and aid has been awarded, and I have money left over. I wanted to order some of my books online and use some of the money to pay bills (the move was murder to my pockets). Problem is, they told me I will not be awarded a refund check until after drop/add. This is TWO WEEKS after school starts. My biggest issue is the books. The books may not get to me until about 5 days, and with a Graduate Course I KNOW they are going to want me to start the grind of studying immediately.

Is there something I'm missing? I didn't go through all this in undergrad. And you know what its like contacting the university. Its a never ending circle of talk to (blank) and whoever they send you to sends you to someone else. Is there a generic way to access this money early through a request? My whole school bill is payed for, so I don't see why it would be a problem except for the red tape.

If you are answering this question, please be serious and not silly.

I had a dream that I birthed a dead fetus in the bathroom (YUCK!). In the dream, I wasn't even phased by it which would scare the mess out of me in real life. It was bloody and gross. Then the dream panned to another Caucasian woman who perhaps looked as if she were the same age as I (except she looked even more stressed than I did), having the same experience, rejoicing almost that this happened. She wrapped her fetus in tissue and discarded it. It must have been winter season, because the woman had on black boots, a tweed tan jacket, a white shirt, and a dark colored skirt. She was in an office setting. She had short blond hair and she looked SO RELIEVED when it was over.

Can anyone explain this? I know I am starting a new chapter in my life, but I don't get why a dead fetus would feed into this. And no, I was not watching Nightmare on Elm Street and I am not a drinker, so I wasn't tipsy when I went to bed. LOL! Any thoughts?

I'm studying for an exam for a recap on Music History as a Grad student. Since I haven't been in school since 1922 (exaggerating) I'm a little rusty but alot is coming back to me as I've been studying. However, I don't want to be misinformed with what I have.

Should we consider polyphony in the latin texts in English liturgy pretty much faburden in the 15th century? I'm not seeing much of a difference. If I am incorrect, please inform me. And by the way, I am looking at the Renaissance period.

Any historian willing to help an unsure opera singer would be appreciated. LOL!

Just curious as to what others think.

including Porgy and Bess? Do singers who sing these pieces or roles find themselves typecasted? Are some of the works too simplistic to be considered classical music?

Let me start by saying I am NOT anti-education in the field of classical music. I am enrolled in a masters program for vocal performance. Probably getting my doctorate, but I haven't crossed that barrier yet.

I have a friend who's a baritone. He is by far (and I am serious) one of the best baritones I have EVER heard in my life. Even famous ones. Seen people in tears because of his gift constantly after performances. I've seen him make a huge opera patron cry from Germany, a man with a very hard exterior. He's won competitions, but he started very late, and took a long break after a voice teacher said something that broke his heart (something to the effect of...you'll never make it). He got back in the scene in his 30's (particularly latter 30's). Now he's in his early 40's. The prime of his vocal life.

He believes his has slim chances of having a career without an undergraduate degree in vocal performance. It gets is confidence down and he isn't pushing himself as he should.

I am only moving to another town in the next month. The need to move was slightly sporadic, so there isn't much time to plan for it.. However, trying to get my daughter and son in a good school so late in the year, getting into the right neighborhood, and just focusing on getting all of this "stuff" we owned into another home is NERVE WRECKING! Does anyone have some simple advice I can take to make things easier?

I've tried doing online research, I have visited different schools, the whole nine. Yet I am nervous about doing something wrong, like I a missing something. Anyone experience this? I have moved before, but I never felt overhwhelmed about moving until now.

I was just granted an assistantship along with an acceptance for Graduate School. I applied on a whim (I decided to apply at the end of February) and thank GOD I qualified. However, I doubt it will cover my living expenses. I don't know how much assistantship/teaching work I will be doing, which leads to the next question. Is it wise to take on another private teaching job (I teach voice and beginning piano), or will the assistantship take up the majority of my day? If that is the case, I might not have a choice but to take out a small loan. I am a little clueless to the process. I haven't been in school for YEARS, and I never had to take a loan out for education. Forgive my ignorance!

Or is this a new alias as a new vocal teacher expert in Y!A? You know I notice changes of the people I admire! LOL!

I recently stepped up my days in the gym. Even though I was normal sized (about an 8) I recently started dropping alot of weight from going to the gym 5 days a week (only for an hour). Now, I wear between a 4/6. I had no intention on losing that much weight, and I still eat!!!

What I have noticed is that I have had increased sinus issues that is really affecting my voice. It has been going on since November. Since I sing for a living, it is really putting a wrench in what I am doing. I FINALLY got an appt. with an ENT this Monday, and Presnosolone only worked temporarily. It is bad enough I need to re-learn my breath support. I haven't struggled with this since my junior year in college. It is getting on my last nerves. Is it weight related? Or is it because the weather has been so off that it is triggering sinus issues. I use a Nasal Rinse, I drink 8 to 10 glasses of water everyday.

I have 5 performances coming up this month. The show can't go on without me in them. Any ideas?

I use an Autoharp at school two days a week, but that sucker keeps going flat after I tune it. Is this normal? Is it some kind of condition in the environment we keep the instrument in? I get tired of tuning that thing because it takes forever. I thought they stayed in tune longer than the guitar. Is this usual for all autoharps?