The Dreaded Axe Man

You know the problem. You can't quite place it but, in the middle of rehearsal, your throat starts to tickle, then, seize up. Your section leader is giving you "the look"! You have hydrated before the warm-up, you don't have a cold and of course you are not wearing any cologne or smelly hair products. BUT your throat is affected. It can only be...

ADM (Axe Deodorant Moment!). One of your lovely tenors has been thoughtful enough to wear deodorant but it stinks! he meant well, but didn't think the 'Desert Cactus' scent of his new shower gel/deodorant/hairgel would be anything but enticing! He needs help.

We need to remind all choristers not to wear scented products. For some people who are especially chemically sensitive, they simply cannot produce a sound and may become very ill. Take heart though! It is possible to have good hygiene, be fresh for concerts and rehearsals and not choke everyone around us. Look for "fragrance-free" or "unscented" products rather than relying on the words "natural" or even "organic" on product labels. Watch out for "aromatherapeutic" products: they can irritate the vocal cords despite their claims to only using "natural" scents- to your throat, scent is scent.

To make it even more of a challenge, not all unscented products are truly "scent-free"- they use irritating chemicals to mask the sometimes unpleasant odour of the truly fragrance -free ingredients. So, what to do? I have a line of products, mostly from Europe but also locally made in Santa Rosa, California that are unscented and pure with no added fragrance. The SVR deodorant is extremely effective, even under the lights of a 3-hour perfomance. The Logona "FREE" body and hair wash from Germany is gentle enough for people with MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities). For touring choirs, or, just to have a kit ready for production week at the local concert hall, I am developing a line of ChoirGear Kits from Gaia Earthworks with travel size unscented, gentle personal care products for men and women.

In Health and Harmony,

Georgia on my Mind

A beautful sound! Found while trawling for Cherubic Hymn: the wonders of the internet!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pObK-uXvI8&feature=related

Silks, Scents and Songbirds

In the world of choral singing, the emphasis is on the notes, the Latin, the Italian, (oh, the "dental T"!) or German, and don't forget the French, mon dieu!  You are preoccupied with the leaps, the time signature, phrasing, breathing in just the right spot! So why would I write about Silk scarves, songbirds, and shampoos? Because it all helps us perform better if we feel better. 

Natural products that will not irritate fellow singer's throats do exist (lads, we all know you can be the culprit!), you can find comfortable, natural fiber, black concert clothing and, elegant jewellery, free of distracting bling!

My mission is to help you perform in comfort and ease, knowing you look and feel as good as you sound. Here's a preview of products I have personally tested to help you do just that. 

Colorful accents for Concert Apparel-Pure Silk Scarves- from The Silk Bedroom-

The Songbird Suite (necklace shown) by Birdland Creations

Custom made Cufflinks by Glen Ellen Artisan jeweler, Birdland Creations

I hope to develop the Choir Wire with your comments as an online resource to help you  SING, PERFORM and CONNECT with other lovers of vocal music!

 In Health and Harmony,

Jo

Sing, Perform, Connect

"Choir Gear", the online resource for singers, is in transition from a retail site to "The Choir Wire" - an online dispatch to connect you with opportunities to learn, to perform, and to partner with other singers to expand audiences for choral music. Stay tuned!