Last week a new online singing series called Breakfast with Epstein began for our auditioned singers in the Junior School Epstein Choir.

Breakfast with Epstein offers these students a chance to reconnect online and have the opportunity to participate in something that they love to do and are highly skilled in. As our title suggests, the girls are encouraged to share some time together online while eating their tasty breakfast muffin, buttered toast or bowl of cereal before launching in to some hearty singing. I am happy to report that at our first gathering we had a fine spread of breakfast goodies, including scrambled eggs, french toast and the classic avocado on toast!

As part of this new program, Mrs Denmead and I have organised for some guest conductors and composers from around Australia and overseas to share their tips on good choral technique and favourite vocal warm-ups via video. Through this initiative, the girls will be able to work with a range of talented choral professionals and learn some fun singing tips and choral techniques along the way. I am really excited about this opportunity for our talented young singers. 

To start things off, this week the Alto section of the choir enjoyed meeting Martina Richardson from Colorado, USA. Martina spoke to the girls about her choir, which is also rehearsing online at the moment, and encouraged them to continue their beautiful singing. She taught the girls a vocal warm-up called Chocolate Cookie, which has been a favourite with her own choir in Colorado.

As the students learnt the actions to go with each phrase, Martina encouraged the girls to think about following the gestures with their voices to ‘help send our voices out.’ We had a great time working with Martina and I suspect that there may be a few requests for chocolate Oreo biscuits over the next week or so.

Mrs Dods enjoying a cup of Melbourne Breakfast tea and some slices of fruit toast as she welcomes the girls to Breakfast with Epstein online.

The Epstein Singers have built up a fine reputation over the years performing advanced choral repertoire designed for younger singers. The aims of the Breakfast with Epstein program are to continue the vocal development and skill acquisition of these young musicians, strengthen the feeling of connection between their own choral group, and develop a sense of connection with other singers and musicians from around the world.

I look forward to the Soprano section of Epstein taking part in Breakfast with Epstein next week.