Communicating with the Voice
18-20 February 2000
Patricia Bowden
Ability

The weekend is devoted to discovering the ways in which singers can maximise their potential in performance by establishing strong communication with their audience through the music and the words. The singing voice is the most powerful means of transmitting emotion, atmosphere and ideas, and these will be explored by expressive use of tone and word colours together with emphasis on presentation and musical sensitivity.All sessions will be in a masterclass/workshop format, leading to a short concert on the Sunday afternoon.

Participants should bring two contrasting songs or arias in English, and at least tow songs or arias in one or more other languages.

For advanced students of all ages and aspiring professionals.

Pamela Bowden, F.R.M.C.M, A.R.M.C.M, Hon. F.L.C.M., F.R.S.A., was born in the north of England and received her early training at the Royal Manchester College of Music, later completing her studies in London with Roy Henderson.

Her career was given a major impetus when she won the Premier Prix at the Geneva International Competition and she subsequently enjoyed a busy and successful life giving concerts, recitals, broadcasts, making recordings, singing all the major contralto roles in oratorio and appearing for many seasons at Glyndebourne Festival Opera, as guest artist at the Royal Opera House, Convent Garden, and other opera companies. She sang at numerous international festivals and with many of the great conductors and orchestras of the world.

Her love of English song led to a number or recordings featuring English composers and in September 1996 her performance of the Five Songs of William Blake, by Sir Malcolm Arnold, conducted by the composer was released on CD in celebration of Arnold's 75th birthday. The songs were written for and dedicated to Pamela.

Pamela Bowden was Head of Vocal Studies at the London College of Music from 1985-1996 and has made a reputation as an outstanding teacher. She teaches privately and is much in demand for masterclasses and workshops both at home and abroad. She has been on the juries of many international singing competitions in Geneva, Athens, Holland and England. A series of masterclasses in New Zealand and Singapore has resulted in invitations to return there and to teach in Japan.

As a former chairman, she is actively involved with the Association of Teachers of Singing, helped to set up the European Voice Teacher's Association, and was Programme Chairman of the highly successful Fourth International Congress of Voice Teachers in London in July 1997. She is a member of the Council of the Royal Philharmonic Society and a past President of the Incorporated Society of Musicians.