🎶 Week 3: Text + Music = Expression
This week, we bring everything together: text, rhythm, phrasing, and technique—then shape it into a communicative performance. Along the way, you’ll collaborate with your cohort, swap ideas, and give each other feedback. The week culminates in your performance video and our showcase livestream.
đź“… Daily Assignments
Day 15 – Onsets, Legato, Release
Sing each phrase on a neutral syllable to check legato.
Add text and focus on balanced onsets (no breathy or hard starts).
End each phrase with a clean release—no extra consonants.
Prompt: Which phrase required the most care to keep the onset balanced?
📌 Cohort Check: Post a short clip of your opening phrase. Comment on at least one peer’s onset and release—what worked well?
Day 16 – Vowel Core & Resonance
Sustain key vowels on the melody ([a], [e], [o]) to keep resonance steady.
Add a small messa di voce on sustained tones (crescendo–diminuendo).
Prompt: Which vowel wanted to spread or dim? How did you stabilize it?
đź“Ś Cohort Check: Post one sustained vowel phrase. Ask peers: does the vowel core stay consistent?
Day 17 – Livestream with Derrick Goff (Wed, Sept 24, 11:00 AM PT)
Join the livestream for coaching on musical shape, clarity of text, and style.
Drop questions for Derrick in this thread or the livestream thread—or ask live.
Assignment: After the stream, apply one tip Derrick gave in your practice.
📌 Cohort Check: Post which Derrick insight you tried. Reply to at least one other singer who applied the same tip—did it feel similar or different for you?
Day 18 – Phrasing, Breath Strategy, Rubato
Revisit your breath marks and try one alternate plan for your longest phrase.
Add tasteful rubato while keeping line supported.
Prompt: Where did an alternate breath change the phrase most?
📌 Cohort Check: Share a clip with your “new” breath plan. Invite comments on which plan feels most natural.
Day 19 – Articulation & Clarity (Consonants)
Speak text in rhythm once, then sing—keep consonants light, vowels sovereign.
Pay attention to Italian [r] and doubled consonants.
Prompt: Which consonant cluster risked breaking legato? How did you solve it?
📌 Cohort Check: Start a Consonant Relay—post a tricky cluster and tag a cohort peer to sing it, then pass it along.
Day 20 – Style Polish + Run-Through
Run the piece once on a neutral syllable, once with text.
Add expressive touches: dynamic shaping, light rubato, elegant tempo.
Prompt: What single interpretive choice best communicates your take?
đź“Ś Cohort Check: Post a short clip of your run-through. Ask your peers: what one word describes the character of your version?
Day 21 – Performance Video & Reflection
Record your full performance of Caro mio ben and post it to the forum.
Include 2–3 bullet points describing your interpretive choices.
Prompt: What changed most from Week 1 to now—in your body, your breath, or your artistry?
đź“Ś Cohort Check: Watch at least two peer videos and offer feedback: one specific strength + one growth area.
🎠Fun Along the Way (Cohort Edition)
Pair & Compare Breath Maps: Exchange breath strategies with a partner. Each of you tries the other’s plan and reports back which feels easier.
Two Takes, Two Voices: Record one phrase two ways (intimate vs. concert hall). Peers vote which communicates text better.
Mini Feedback Chains: After posting a clip, tag two peers to give you feedback—and return the favor.
Consonant Relay: Each person posts one tricky consonant cluster. The next singer records it exaggerated, then smoothed into legato. Pass it on!
Cohort Vote: Share your interpretation of the longest phrase. Vote as a group on which approach carried the line most musically.
🎥 Performance & Showcase
Performance Video: Post your recording by Tuesday, Sept 30 to be considered for the showcase.
Showcase Livestream: Wednesday, Oct 1 – we’ll feature clips, reflect on takeaways, and announce the winning cohort for bragging rights!
đź“š A Scholarly Lens
“Legato is the canvas; consonants are the brushstrokes. Keep the vowel line continuous and let consonants articulate meaning without fracturing the phrase.”
✨ By the end of Week 3 you will:
Deliver a cohesive performance with clean onsets, stable vowels, and expressive phrasing
Shape phrases with confident breath and nuanced rubato
Integrate text and rhythm into a communicative whole
Post a final performance video and exchange peer feedback
Celebrate in the Oct 1 showcase with your cohort