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Jo Oosterhoff

Vocal Educator & Conductor

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Brain Before Voice

It’s been a long time since my last post – life gets busy that way! But something has started recurring in my current teaching/coaching which is my cue to add a new tip! The subject of Brain Before Voice has

Jo August 4, 2011April 4, 2020 Barbershop Blog Read more

Is this music difficult or easy?

In previous posts I have listed some things to look out for when choosing music…. it seems a little more explanation is required to help people with this!  Always take the abilities of your group into consideration in deciding if

Jo April 23, 2011June 9, 2022 Barbershop Blog Read more

The Curly Q

Some call them Dairy Queens (or Mr Whippy in Australia). Curly Q appeals to me.  It’s all about the end of your phrase.  To go from a plain, ordinary Q to one which has all the bells and whistles.  The

Jo April 23, 2011November 18, 2014 Barbershop Blog Read more

Tension vs. Intensity

It’s no surprise that often when we ask for intensity from our singers the result displays a greater degree of tension than when we began. That tension is usually displayed across the shoulders / chest and in the face, especially

Jo September 21, 2009June 9, 2022 Barbershop Blog Read more

The Breath Of Life

When we sing for any audience, breath is life – literally of course, but also the life of the sound depends on HOW we breathe. Leading breath of the song: breathe in the pitch, breathe in the vowel. Take natural,

Jo May 27, 2009April 6, 2020 Barbershop Blog Read more

Barbershop Music

Another in my series for school teachers with barbershop groups. Part of what differentiates barbershop from other a cappella music is the way in which it is arranged. Although strict barbershop gives the most powerful potential, looser arrangements can have

Jo March 13, 2009April 6, 2020 Barbershop Blog Read more

Personal Improvement – Commit To Change

If you’re doing a vocalise for a single reason, you’re wasting your time. Find 3. Here’s a cheat’s list: posture, breathing, phonation, resonance, articulation, intonation/tuning, vowel shapes, chord synchronisation… you get the idea! To practice at home and get results:

Jo December 29, 2008June 9, 2022 Barbershop Blog Read more

A Note On Unity

More than any other vocal ensemble, the barbershop chorus requires total unity of voices. As the First Violins of a chamber orchestra must sound like one instrument and not vie amongst each other with individual ‘soloist’ character, so each voice

Jo December 29, 2008November 18, 2014 Barbershop Blog Read more

Visual Communication & Choreography

Another in my series for school teachers with barbershop groups, this topic covers some basic fundamentals of the Showmanship category…Choreography Choreo should be relevant, vocally supportive (or at least not detractive) and naturally expressive (not mechanical). Having a visual plan

Jo July 14, 2008June 9, 2022 Barbershop Blog Read more

Basic Barbershop Interpretation

I’m writing a resource sheet for school teachers who have barbershop groups at their schools and need to take the first step into changing their singing style from a cappella to barbershop. Here’s the gist of my tips on interpretation

Jo July 14, 2008June 9, 2022 Barbershop Blog Read more
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Blog Subjects

Audiation audience-rapport Breathing changing-voice-parts Choosing Repertoire Choreography Duetting dynamics Interpretation Learning Music Personal Improvement Pet Peeves Philosophy Pitch Quartets Showmanship Singing Lead Unit Visual Plan Vocal Freedom Vocal Skills Vowels

Recent Posts

  • Brain Before Voice
  • Is this music difficult or easy?
  • The Curly Q
  • Tension vs. Intensity
  • The Breath Of Life
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