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| CONCEPT OF THE CONFERENCE |
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| FORMAT |
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On behalf of the Program Committee, a select group of people were invited, voice
scientist as well as voice pedagogues, to be speakers at The First International Conference on the Physiology and
Acoustics of Singing, to be held in Groningen 3 – 5 October 2002. The
conference was devoted entirely to facilitating progress in the scientific
study of the singing voice. Our goal was to assemble an outstanding group of
individuals and provide a forum for frank and in-depth discussion of all aspects
of singing, including conflicting opinions, and the direction of future
research. This conference, conducted over two and one-half days, comprised
almost exclusively of invited lectures from leaders in the fields of science and
pedagogy. |
| ORGANIZATION |
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The invited speakers had been asked to present a 20 minute lecture, to be followed by a period
of 10 minutes discussion. This presentation should focus upon a
review/overview of their work – either a specific segment or topic of particular
interest, or a review of the larger body of their work. Within this review, the
speakers are asked to highlight certain of their writings that they consider particularly
important for the audience. The content level of the talk may be aimed
comfortably at those experienced in voice and pedagogy. Especially welcome would
be an emphasis on the dimension of personal history, following the thread of the
speaker's interest as it has developed through the various topics of their research.
The speakers were asked to submit a written version of their presentation in advance of
the conference. This would enable the moderator of the presentation to prepare
most effectively to lead an in-depth discussion with the speaker and the audience
after the talk. |
| SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE VERSUS PRACTICAL WORK |
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In spite of great advances in this period in both technology and the
scientific theory of the singing voice, the gap between scientific
knowledge and practical work in the voice studios remains
problematic. This is the case even for those teachers who make it
a point to stay informed of these advances. We cannot expect to
close this gap, but we can promote a dialogue under
circumstances where neither side feels intimidated by the special
knowledge of the other. For that reason we have attempted to find
a balance between researchers and those practitioners who have
demonstrated their openness to the insights of science, in some
cases engaging in laboratory work themselves. We would
especially encourage the practitioners to speak out on the subject
of what still needs to be investigated, and what might be done
better. |
| "PROCEEDINGS" |
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We expect to publish the written version of the talks as a
CD ROM. The organizers would also like to include an annotated bibliography, possibly
reprinting key articles ----- that would guide
scientists and singing teachers in approaching the speaker's publications. The special nature of the conference will make the proceedings
unique. These will be published, at least in CD-ROM form, and it is
our expectation that this record of the First International
Conference on the Physiology and Acoustics of Singing will be a
reference resource on the singing voice in the years to come.
Therefore we asked the presenters to submit a list of articles that
have been particularly important in informing their research on the
singing voice, as well as the items of their own research that they
consider most significant. We will then try to get permission to
include these items in the CD. The speakers were urged to prepare their presentations accordingly, consulting with
the organizers if in doubt about how
to proceed. |
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