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When from your most open

to your most closed tone you
control all the shadings of your

voice, you are a great artist…
It is a long road. But it pays…
Talent, though necessary, is not

a substitute for knowledge. 1

In the centuries since Giovanni Lamperti’s
(1839-1910) teachings, dramatic developments in
voice science and methodologies have reshaped
the field of vocal pedagogy. Although much has
changed, a fundamental thread connecting the
past to the present has remained the same: the
consistent instruction of vocal technique is the
foundation for artistic singing. Choral direc-
tors and music educators undertake an essential
role as voice pedagogues with their ensembles.
Echoing Lamperti, Richard Miller argues in his
The Structure of Singing: “Artistry in singing is ac-
quired by practice (habit) just as is technique…
2
part of the daily routine.” Through technically
reinforced vocal instruction, choral singers can es-
tablish healthy vocal habits resulting in vibrant,
resonant, and dimensional choral tone.
These habits of technique are based on pro-
prioceptive memory, otherwise known as “muscle
3
memory.” Performance consistency and accura-
cy are linked to muscle memory through guided
technical practice. Depending on the repertoire,
choirs of non-professional singers require vocal
instruction and stylistic instruction informed by
historical performance practice. Often, the chal-
lenge of preparing technically and stylistically
intricate repertoire is compounded by inadequate
rehearsal time. When there is little time to learn
difficult skills, choirs and their directors need to
resort to practical and efficient rehearsal methods.

CHORAL JOURNAL October 2023 Volume 64 Number 3 23