The Heart of Vocal Harmony: Emotional Expression in Group Singing (Music Pro Guides)

(Music Pro Guides). Most choirs spend their rehearsal time focusing on notes, rhythms, and precision. They rarely, if ever, discuss a song's meaning and feeling, even though those elements are precisely what draws people to the music in the first place. Thousands of books have been written about choral technique, teaching people how to sing technically well. What sets The Heart of Vocal Harmony apart is its focus on honest unified expression and the process of delivering an emotionally compelling performance. It delves into an underdeveloped vocal topic the heart of the music and the process involved with expressing it. The Heart of Vocal Harmony is not just for a cappella groups it is also for vocal harmony groups, ensembles, and choirs at all levels, with or without instruments. In addition to the process, the book features discussions with some of the biggest luminaries in vocal harmony: composers, arrangers, directors, singers, and groups including Eric Whitacre, Pentatonix, the Manhattan Transfer, and more! Concepts. Basic principles ; Say something ; Singularity Preparations. Setting the stage ; Harmony through harmony ; Director ; Intragroup relationships ; Safety ; Openness ; Bravery ; Support ; Size and scope ; Breaking down barriers ; Facial connectedness Emotions. Definition ; Joy ; Anger ; Fear ; Sadness ; Emotional complexity Choices. Appropriateness ; Song ; Solo ; Presentation ; Arrangement Meanings. Depth ; Lyrical analysis ; Context ; Group discussion Perspectives. Living the song ; Identification ; Visualization ; Character ; Substitution ; Plot ; Moment ; Triggers Techniques. Emotional-technical connection ; Thresholds ; Actor's techniques ; First time ; Purpose ; Singing by memory ; Foreign languages ; Vocal tone ; Syllables ; Repetition ; Autopilot ; The spaces between Considerations. Importance of the individual ; Rehearsal consistency ; Empowering language ; The right words ; Eroding inhibitions ; Emotional intelligence ; Inner critic ; Physicality ; Priorities ; Calibration ; Overboard ; Overwhelm ; Recharge Motivations. Musical motivation ; Performing as director ; Leading from the front ; Lead vocal ; Powerful moments Insights. Composers (Christopher Tin; Tat Tong; Eric Whitacre) ; Arrangers (Ben Bram and Robert Dietz; Roger Emerson and Mac Huff) ; Directors (Kathleen Hansen and Mo Field; Lisa Forkish; J.D. Frizzell; Joshua Habermann; Bruce Rogers) ; Vocal coaches (Tom Carter; Christopher Diaz; Hannah Juliano) ; Groups (Home Free; Manhattan Transfer; Pentatonix; Straight No Chaser) ; Singers (Jerry Lawson; Blake Lewis; Christòpheren Nomura; Samantha Waldman). Most choirs spend their rehearsal time focusing on notes, rhythms, and precision. They rarely, if ever, discuss a song's meaning and feeling, even though those elements are precisely what draws people to vocal music in the first place. Thousands of books have been written about choral technique, teaching people how to sing technically well. What sets The Heart of Vocal Harmony apart is its focus on honest unified expression and the process of delivering an emotionally compelling performance. It delves into this underdeveloped vocal topic: the heart of vocal music and the process involved in consistent emotional expression while singing as a group. The Heart of Vocal Harmony is not just for a cappella groups-it is for all vocal harmony groups, ensembles, and choirs of all levels, with or without instruments. In addition to the process, the book features discussions with some of the biggest luminaries in vocal harmony: composers, arrangers, directors, singers, and groups-including Eric Whitacre, Pentatonix, the Manhattan Transfer, and more!