Quotes from conductors on Transform Your Choir’s Sound

Erica Phare-Bergh

“There is no other DVD like this one! Dr. Fagnan’s presentation of Bel Canto principles is the clearest that I have ever seen. His use of aural examples from his choral workshops and accompanying acoustical visual representations of the sound reinforce why and how this technique works so well. I use this DVD with my high school choirs and they love it. Many of the choristers said that this was the most helpful tool to understanding their own voice that they had ever experienced. As a conductor, it has truly helped my understanding of good vocal production and changed the sound of my choirs in one semester. Kudos to Dr. Laurier Fagnan for giving this to the global choral community!”

 

Erica Phare-Bergh

William Aberhart High School Choirs

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Willi Zwozdesky

“Through myriad examples in the DVD of his own fine voice and several choirs’ singing supported by exciting new three-dimensional acoustical analysis techniques, Fagnan easily and persuasively shows us the benefits of applying these time-honoured bel canto vocal techniques to choral singing. We are drawn in quickly by his clear pedagogy as he tackles questions of vowel integrity and modification, and vocal blend and intonation; neither does he shy away from complex paradoxes of vocal technique or even simpler topics such as the distinction between vibration and vibrato. His instruction is musically driven: “move your mouth with your ears!” with the object of a vibrant and vital vocal tone. As lifelong learners, Transform Your Choir’s Sound needs to be in each of our tool kits!”

 

Willi Zwozdesky

BC Choral Federation

Laura Hawley, Conductor and composer

“This fantastic DVD has been tremendously helpful to me and to my choirs! The methods presented here have been rewarding to use with *all* of my choirs, regardless of their age or level. In a short period of time, working with my choirs on these techniques brought about significant and inspiring change that surpassed my expectations; bringing the choir richness and depth of sound vibration, greater dynamic range alongside increased vocal freedom, engagement in the body, and chorister’s increased realization of potential. I’ve found that after working in detail on the methods, I can now make efficient references to certain techniques and the group knows exactly what to do. I recommend this DVD enthusiastically to singers and conductors! Thank you very much, Laurier Fagnan, for this wonderful contribution.”

Laura Hawley, Conductor and composer

Ottawa, Ontario

Founding Artistic Director: Cantiamo Girls Choir of Ottawa

Jackie Hawley

“I just finished watching your DVD. How fantastic!!!! This is so useful – practical and clear and every minute is highly valuable! I am fascinated by the acoustic graphs that you included! I can’t imagine how thrilling it must have been for you to see those kinds of results come up in the acoustic lab! What an inspiration your work is!! I really appreciate that you included the informative booklet as well! That is a goldmine of its own! I am so PUMPED and EXCITED by your DVD that I can’t wait for my next choir practice to try some of this out!!!! Thank you for your work and for sharing it in such a practical, inspiring, useful and yes, entertaining way. You are fabulous!”