Voice Department
Voice Department - Core Philosophy
Voice is the one instrument that everybody can play. Some of us sang as a child in school or at church, some of us only sing in the shower, and some of us sing on stage, in competitions and have aspirations to sing because it’s our passion or our profession. In the South Shore Conservatory voice department, it is our goal to have a learning opportunity for every type of singer, whether it be through private or semi-private lessons, or by taking one of our many class offerings. If you don’t see a class that fits your style or meets your needs, we want to know! You can reach me, Lorna Jane Norris, at (781) 749-7565 ext. 48. Henry Van Dyke once said, “Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those who sang best.” We look forward to having you as part of our singing family.
Voice Department Chair - Lorna Jane Norris
British born soprano, Lorna Jane Norris, Voice Department Chair has been singing and teaching throughout the New England Region for eight years. After completing her Masters in English Literature and one year’s study in Music Therapy, she reconnected with her love of singing and began a graduate program in voice at the Longy School of Music. Since graduation, Lorna Jane has been a soloist with numerous regional groups such as Cape Cod Opera, Chatham Chorale and the Renaissance ensemble ‘Philidor’. She particularly loves the Art Song Repertory, both traditional and contemporary. Lorna Jane will be performing the role of Eliza Doolittle in the Star Players of Bristol County 2008 summer production of My Fair Lady. Lorna Jane placed third in the 2008 New England Regional Finals of the national song competition NATSAA . She has been with South Shore Conservatory since 2006. In addition, Lorna Jane is a yoga instructor, having received her level one and two certification with AAAI/ISMA. (American Aerobic Associationl International Sports Medicine Association) in 2007.
Instrument Instruction
Private Lessons
It is recommended that students begin private voice lessons at age 13 after taking Voice Class for 10-12 Year Olds. At the end of each 16-week semester, private lesson students receive a full evaluation from their teacher to keep the student and parent apprised of the student’s progress.
30 minutes - $672 per semester
45 minutes - $928 per semester
60 minutes - $1184 per semester
Semi-private:
30 minutes - $336 per semester
45 minutes - $464 per semester
60 minutes - $592 per semester
Voice Department - Class Offerings
Drum! Sing! Dance!
Sponsored by Mrs. John D. Brewer
Jennie Mulqueen, Su D’Ambrosio
Level I: Ages 4, 5 Level II: Ages 5-7
Ages four and five. This new team-taught class is perfect for any child who loves music. Incorporating singing, percussion instruments, improvisation, and creative movement, this fun, interactive 10-week class turns children's natural aural, vocal, and kinesthetic abilities into the young musician's performance skills.
Level I is for four year olds or for five year olds with no previous exposure to music. Parents join in the fun during the last 15 minutes of each class.
$190
| Hingham: Monday, 3:45 - 4:30 pm | Hingham: Thursday, 10 - 10:45 am | Duxbury: Tuesday, 12:30 - 1:15 pm | Duxbury: Saturday, 10:30 - 11:15 am |
Level II is team-taught and includes choral/Orff ensemble and performing experience for young singers.
$250
| Hingham: Monday, 4:30 - 5:30 pm | Duxbury: Tuesday, 4:30 - 5:30 pm |
Voice Class for 7 - 9 Year Olds
Jennie Mulqueen
This interactive class introduces young singers to their instruments through the basics of breath and body support, sound projection, ear training, sight-singing and song selection. Students learn fun and age-appropriate way to sing and express themselves. Everyone is a star in the final performance! 15 weeks
$275
| Hingham: Monday, 5 - 6 pm |
Voice Class for 10 - 12 Year Olds
Furong Gardner, Lorna Jane Norris
For the student with a love for singing, this preparatory voice class provides instruction in a small group setting, allowing for more individual attention, without the demands or expense of a one-on-one private lesson. The 15-week class lays the base for students planning to take private lessons in the future, and serves to help students perform better in school and church chorus. The curriculum covers singing technique, ear-training, sight singing, and repertoire. Limited to six students per class.
$275
| Hingham: Wednesday, 4:30 - 5:30 pm | Duxbury: Wednesday, 3:30 - 4:30 pm |
New!! SSC Idol Class
Kaoruko Pilkington
Ages: 8-14 In this exciting new American Idol-style class, students receive coaching on their favorite pop songs and learn to give and take constructive criticism. After a brief overview of the weekly topic and skills surrounding it, students perform for a panel of three peer judges. Over the six-week class, students serve as both judges and performers. 12 weeks
$250
| Hingham: Thursday, 4:30 - 5:30 pm |
New!! Vocal Jazz Improvisation
Kaoruko Pilkington
Ages: adults and jazz-focused high school students This exciting new class teaches scatting from the ground up. Students learn a simple blues tune and trading vocal lines back and forth with the teacher, and eventually use that blues tune to experiment with rhythmic and melodic themes, embellish their vocal lines, and finally create their own unique versions of the song. 12 weeks
Starts September 25, 2008
$250
| Hingham: Thursday 5:30 - 6:30 pm |
High School A Capella Ensemble
Lorna Jane Norris
Sponsored by Linda and Gerald Jones
A small-group experience for the motivated high school singer. Students will sing in complex harmony building musical skills, foreign language diction, and vocal technique. 15 weeks
$275
| Hingham: Tuesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm |
Act III: Music Theatre Revue
Ellen Kelly, Tom Boyer, Lorna Jane Norris
Middle and high schoolers are invited to participate in this performance-based class, dedicated to the training of the young performer in all facets of the musical theatre form...singing, working with an accompanist, and acting. During the 10-week workshop, young performers will be coached by a vocal expert, musical director and acting teacher. The finale of each workshop will be a cabaret style revue.
Session starts September 13, 2008
10 weeks
$275
| Hingham: Saturday, 12 - 2 pm |
Woman Song
Jennie Mulqueen
Woman Song is a singing ensemble for women who love to sing. Members learn songs by ear; music-reading not required. The repertoire includes rounds and part songs. The year concludes with a spring concert. 12 weeks
$180
| Hingham: Wednesdays, 8 - 9:30 pm |
New!! Singing Out of the Shower
Andrew Garland, Jennie Mulqueen
For adults who love to sing but rarely do in public! With some expert technical guidance, the right songs and plenty of encouragement you might find yourself bringing your voice out of the shower: trying out for a local chorus, singing in your church choir or even in the local Karaoke bar! Maybe you already sing with a chorus and would like to try out for a solo or work on extending your range and improving your tone. This is the fun and informal opportunity you have been waiting for to find and develop your unique voice…minus the shower cap!
8 weeks
$175
| Session One - starts September 17 | |
| Hingham: Monday, 8 - 9 pm | Duxbury: Tuesday, 7 - 8 pm |
| Session Two - starts November 19 | |
| Hingham: Monday, 8 - 9 pm | Duxbury: Tuesday, 7 - 8 pm |
OBTB Spring Studio
Beth MacLeod
Join OBTB Artistic Director Beth MacLeod in honing your skills – vocal as well as dramatic. Repertoire is hand picked for each participant to make the most of their talents and to challenge them to further grow as a singer and actor.
Duxbury: Monday, 7:45 - 9:45 pm, and Friday, 7:30 - 9:30 pm, 8 weeks
Runs March 9 - May 1, 2009
Chamber Music
Sponsored by Grafton Memorial Fund
Chamber opportunities are available in strings, percussion, woodwind, brass, voice and mixed instruments with or without voice. Playing in a small group setting, with each participant focusing on his/her individual part, can greatly improve a student’s playing, and is a helpful supplement for any student in a school band or orchestra program. Placement auditions are required to ensure that students are placed with others at the same level of expertise. Students must audition by September 26, 2008 to be included in the fall semester ensemble program. For a placement audition please call Donald Zook at 781-934-2731, ext. 16 to schedule an audition time. Ensembles meet weekly for one hour. All ensemble students participate in a chamber concert at the end of the semester. 12 weeks
$250
Voice Department Special Events
Voice Day – A day of workshops and masterclasses for all singers
Free to SSC students
March 21, 2009 at the Duxbury campus.
William P Söderberg Song and Aria competition
January 24, 2009 at the Hingham campus.
Annual Summer Vocal Institute
Ten day intensive camp for motivated singers aged 12-18
Concerto Competition
January 22, 2009
4-8 pm, Hingham Campus
All instrumental and voice students are invited to participate in the Conservatory’s annual Concerto Competition. First prize scholarships are awarded in each of three age divisions. All winners perform in the Concerto Competition Winners Recital on Saturday, January 24, 7:30 pm in Hingham's Large Ensemble Studio.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for private lessons for children whose families can document financial need. Application forms are available in the office and as a downloadable Word Document and must be filled out and returned prior to the first week of the semester. All applications will be considered by the Scholarship Committee, which meets before each semester to grant assistance. Recipients of scholarship aid must reapply each semester. The deadline for Fall 2008 financial aid applications is August 8, 2008. The deadline for Spring 2009 financial aid applications is January 9, 2009.
South Shore Conservatory admits students of any race, color, nationality, and ethnic origin to all rights and privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.