Sing To Live® Musical Director Offers Tips to Help Skittish Singers
Succeed
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Dr. Wilbert Watkins conducting the Sing To Live Community Chorus
Dr. Wilbert Watkins of Sing to Live Community Chorus encourages all to join in on holiday songs.
Online PR News – 05-December-2011 During this holiday season, when carols fill the air, Dr. Wilbert
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Watkins, musical director of the Sing to Live Community chorus ®, is offering his aid to those who usually sit
on the sidelines while others lift their voices in song.
In his role of conducting 80 singers who are breast cancer survivors, or have friends or relatives with the
disease, Dr. Watkins listens to voices in all ranges. Through placement sessions (not auditions) he finds
positions where all can shine. It’s this experience, plus a career in music, that spurs him to encourage more
people to enjoy singing in a group.
At this time of year, when carols abound and camaraderie calls, Dr. Watkins advises timid singers to delete
negative talk spinning in their heads, and join in on the singing. To help, he’s offering a half dozen tips that
“won’t get you on American Idol, but can help you do a perfectly lovely rendition of White Christmas with
other carolers.”
1. Correct posture leads to good singing. Let your arms hang loosely by your side; now shake them to really
relax them. Plant your feet firmly on the floor with one foot slightly in front of the other. Imagine you wouldn’t
fall backwards if someone were to give you a slight push.
2. Breath control is a primary reason people have difficulty singing properly. Take big deep breaths so you
have enough air to carry the notes. Practice this exercise: put one hand on your abdomen and the other on
your back, about waist level. Next take a deep breath through your nose. Fill your lower lungs with it. Your
stomach should stick out and your your hands should have moved apart. Now, gently exhale through
pierced lips as if you're hissing and let your stomach fall slowly back into place. Do this exercise often.
3. Keep your chin down. Watch yourself in front of a mirror to notice and improve your posture and facial
expression. Sing as if you're beginning a yawn. This way, you'll hit clearer notes and sing stronger.
4. Listen, record and listen. Listen to recordings of your favorite carols on CDs, YouTube, or other players.
Pick a tune you’re comfortable with, and in the privacy of your home, record your attempts. Play back and
give yourself applause for what sounds good and note places where more breath would have helped. Watch
out for grimacing.
5. Sing as if you mean it. Put your heart, soul, feeling, and emotion into the words. Think of the story behind
the lyrics and tell it with song. If you sing with conviction, your audience will pick that up.
6. Have fun! It's the season to be jolly after all. Your friends will be happy to see you participate and will
likely be too focused on their own singing to judge yours.
About Sing to Live®
Melinda Pollack-Harris, a cancer survivor, incorporated Sing to Live® as a nonprofit in 2005 and brought on
board Dr. Watkins, whose twin sister is a breast cancer survivor. Now in its seventh season, the Sing to
Live® Community Chorus has grown to 80 members who year-round enjoy friendship and harmony in
weekly rehearsals in Oak Park and Glenview, IL. and perform concerts six times a year in Chicago's metro-
area. The group's next concert, "Sing for the Cure" is scheduled for March, 2012. For more information, go
to www.singtolive.org .
Media Information
Elaine Soloway
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http://elainesolowaypr.com
3917 W. Dakin St.
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