Complite vocal tecnique

Dutch one-year class of 2006:

The singer’s take on Complete Vocal Technique Take a group of singers, put them in a room, and teach them the CVT (Complete Vocal Technique) system. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? But it’s not as easy as that. The participants are all different individuals, coming from different disciplines, different styles, different stories. No way this will ever be a coherent group. Or will it? Text by Alfons Verreijt Let’s first focus on the diversity within this group of professionals: There’s 3 classical singers in this group of 13, two males and one female. The rest is a very diverse reflection of anything ranging from rock to musical, soul, jazz and pop. There are singers who mainly teach, there are singers who mainly perform. And there are singers that do both. At first glance, the only thing they all have in common, is that they choose to do the one-year singer’s education of CVI in the Netherlands. The course started in February 2006 and will be finished by December 2006. So this course has almost come to an end, and as a member of this group, I passed on a few questions. Here are some answers: Rob:”I studied classical singing at the conservatory. At the time this education met my expectations perfectly, especially the musical orientation. I did not miss anything, and I could work perfectly with it. It formed my basis, a reference, and the contacts with my fellow students were also very important. Right after conservatory, I jumpstarted my career performed leading roles in many musicals in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. In this period, I discovered there were other methods than the one I learned at the conservatory. I also found out, I was doing things “wrong” when looked through the eyes of my former teachers. But CVT taught me I was not doing anything wrong, and showed me the how, why and where. Plus all of the other new stuff we learned, of course. After this period of fulltime performing, I switched to parttime roles as an alternate and I started working as a full-time vocal teacher in a large music school. I eventually started to teach pop and jazz too. I figured I had to broaden my horizon to meet the needs of my new students. I looked for a way to do this, and CVT gave me the perfect solution. As a professional singer I have been doing musical, oratorium, recitals, etc, and I found CVT already enhanced my vocal possibilities quite dramatically: I am even looking for ways to extend my own performing to jazz and other light music. I would love to go one step up and do the three-year vocal teacher’s coarse to give me more insights into didactics, consolidate my modes, effects and other skills. And to mingle with other interesting singers, of course.” Maedy:”I am both a singer and a dancer. My dance and vocal training varied from Amsterdam, Tilburg and New York and I graduated at the musical theatre department of Fontys Dance Academy in Tilburg. Though my vocal education was great, still some parts of the puzzle were missing. CVT fills in the gaps for me. During two

workshops CVT in Utrecht, I saw the method to be working for everybody. I discovered CVT had a strong resemblance with some rough ideas about singing that I already had, CVT confirmed I was on the right track. Right now my daily practice consists of teaching dance and singing, performing with bands and tapes on parties and for companies, theatre shows and other projects like studio recordings. This education made me perform better, with more confidence. My voice is always there now, ready willing and able, I have more possibilities and can apply cool effects. I just wish I had discovered this earlier, I'm really happy I attended this 1 year course. I would love to dive deeper into CVT as I really enjoy my new vocal possibilities. Unfortunately I cannot afford the three-year course right now, but I will keep on taking private lessons and maybe go to Denmark every once in a while.” Sigrid:”I am not very happy with the musical education I had before CVT. I took lessons at the music school of vocal and music pedagogues and private lessons from several trainers. Every teacher has his own accents, and I did develop my voice, but eventually I was not satisfied anymore and started looking for something better. I have been singing professionally for 30 years now (my age of 56 is no secret any more). I recorded for EMI and CBS, played in bands, combos, duo’s, worked in studio’s and I was gradually getting convinced there had to be more out there, I should be able to do more with my voice. I wanted to upgrade my singing, blues, jazz, soul…my sound had to change, which wasn’t possible according to my precious teachers. Looking back, I would never decide to do the same education again as I had before CVT. Though I believe vocal technique is not the most important thing in singing, I just wish the education had offered me more of it. On my quest for a better method I was already getting quite sceptic when I came across a workshop and a master class of Cathrine Sadolin. What she did for my voice was amazing, things I couldn’t even imagine before. CVT meant a big change for my teaching as well. It works, time and again, with every student, right there on the spot! Amazing! I am now more confident in my plan of doing my own mini-concert in Rotterdam, which I am now setting up. I would choose for CVT again without hesitation, I am considering the follow-up 3-year coarse. First I should do that, and then step into a time machine, to go way back when I started singing, 30 years ago.”

Inge:”I studied flute in the preparation year for conservatory, “music and dance” akte A and concluded a study conservatory jazz and pop singing in 1994. At the conservatory, certain subjects were very unclear. Unfortunately, these were important subjects. I would not choose to do this education again, if it wasn’t for being amongst musicians. For the technique lessons I wouldn’t go back. Doing CVT I hoped to get more grip on my own singing, which I do in various settings: a woman only a-capella quartet, a pop group with 3 vocalists plus 5 instrumentalists. With the latter I perform on a regular basis, like 2 times a month. I regret to say with the a-cappella group we do not perform as often as we would like. But still it is a fun thing to do. I can confirm by now, that CVT completely met my expectations. I am working more on an individual basis now, and my development both as a singer and vocal trainer really had a big boost. CVT is truly groundbreaking, and I am looking forward to continue my path doing the 3-year course, as I think I am still at the beginning of an interesting journey.” And of course, here’s the author’s view on his own CVT education:

Alfons:”I studied at the conservatories of Rotterdam and Hilversum. I had to switch conservatories because Rotterdam did not work out at all for me. Fortunately in Hilversum they did know what to teach, the education was of a very high level. But still even in Hilversum pop and jazz singers were stuck with the legacy of the classical method. Which was a very schizophrenic situation, as teachers were giving contradicting information about technique. Knowing what I know now, I still would choose for a conservatory education again because of the learning environment, but I would certainly pick one who would teach on a CVT basis. I know some conservatories already started to hand out flyers with CVT pointers, but the method is not widely spread yet. I attended a master class of Cathrine Sadolin, and when she mentioned the new Dutch course in an interview I did with her for the “Music Maker”, I did not hesitate for long. This was the way to fill in the blanks in my vocal education and to finally learn the truth about singing. CVT did just all that and more for me. Right now I am teaching more than ever, after performing very intensively with an acoustic band for years. Teaching not only pays the bills, but is an inspiring thing to do with this new technique. My students thrive on it, and I enjoy every minute of teaching. I will record a second CD soon, with my own material, ranging from jazz to pop which will most probably lead to performing more frequently again, but for now, I enjoy this course and the flabbergasting results of it. CVT changed my perception on singing, teaching and music for ever. I have new fresh plans now, a great new vocal studio at home in which I teach an increasing number of eager students and I have met a strong and involved group of colleagues in this course. I feel like I am double blessed. To sum it all up: The effect of CVT on this group is immense. Every student agrees they made big improvements in their singing. The ones that teach, report the same results with their own students. Now, is there no-one saying negative things? No critics? No minor chords in this major article? Well, be assured, I asked about it. The education is not cheap, but you really get your money’s worth: we are being taught by good and qualified teachers, the method is clear and logical, we’re being treated in a professional and respectful way. The only real gripe here could be that the location did not work for everybody, but then again, people were coming from all over the country, so there’s always some who have to travel far. But as far as the education itself, it works very well for all of the participants. And that’s what it’s all about. I would like to close this article with a very special contribution from Robin, who just quit his daytime job to become a full-time singer. He did a lot of gigs with Robbie Williams songs, performed with big groups on festivals and parties, and just recently Cathrine recommended him for a project called “Barcelona”, a big project with live symphonic orchestra and a soprano called Katrin ten Cate who also did the 1 year course CVT in Copenhagen, giving his singing career a real kick start. Here’s the open letter to Cathrine which he posted on the forum of this group: Robin:

”Dear Cathrine. As you might know from Karin ten Cate we did the "Barcelona" project 4 times in a row now. Tonight will be the 5th. It is really amazing that I am doing this without having serious voice problems. Of course it is a little bit tired but that is because I give sometimes too much energy to a few certain notes. We did the Concertgebouw Amsterdam yesterday and it was AMAZING. The crowd went crazy! Really it was the most beautiful thing I ever did. The atmosphere was magical. You know probably what I mean. A night in which everything falls in place. Thank you so much for recommending me to Karin. To be honest, I didn't think I could do it. I told myself a hundred times: "if Cathrine thinks I can... I must be able to do it." Søren and Christina are really great and they also gave me their trust. In my case that was the key word...TRUST. I can not find the right words to thank you for CVT and for trusting on my ability. So I will be standard: Bless your hearts and please keep up the good work! I am really seriously thinking about going for the 3 year course and trying to teach for you like Søren and Christina do. It would be great to give to other singers what you and the others gave to me. love, Robin”