Loraine Taneja
There is something truly magical about singing in a group. Beyond the pure joy of sharing music, it acts like a workout for both the body and the brain—boosting your mood and lowering stress. For older adults, singing is a fantastic way to keep your lungs healthy and your mind sharp. If you have noticed your voice c
Members of the Chordaires Show Chorus discovering new singing techniques during the summer break.
hanging as the years go on, don’t worry, you can absolutely keep your singing voice strong. It all comes down to learning the best way to use your unique instrument.
The Chordaires Show Chorus recently welcomed our fantastic new Music Director, Cary Burns! He brings a fresh, exciting energy to our vocal program by introducing a technique called Bel Canto, a classic style of singing from early Italian opera days. Back then, singers didn’t have to compete with giant 100-piece orchestras like they do in modern opera. Instead, Bel Canto focuses on clarity, flexibility, and using very little air pressure. As it turns out, those exact qualities are the secret sauce for a beautifully blended group sound. Cary prefers this gentle Bel Canto approach over traditional breathing techniques. He teaches singers to avoid forcing out their notes, sharing that “Excessive air pressure is like sandpaper on the vocal folds.” By easing off the gas pedal and letting go of the urge to push, the Bel Canto approach can actually restore vocal health and “youthify” the voice.
Cary knows the proof is in the singing; he also directs the Desert Aires Barbershop Chorus, where the average age is 79.5, including four phenomenal singers in their 90s. By using these Bel Canto techniques, they qualified for the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Seniors International contest three consecutive years! To show how this works, Cary gave a fun demonstration during a recent presentation using the classic song, “Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue.” The difference was night and day, moving from a forced, breathy sound to a rich, resonant tone instantly!
Cary learned this game-changing style from master teacher Debra Lynn, author of Sing Easy, The Magic of You. Taking her lessons and getting certified completely changed how he teaches. Her website (DebraLynn.org) and YouTube channel are packed with great vocal tips. Cary is eager to bring these life-changing techniques into our regular rehearsals, and there has never been a better time to jump in and start singing with us.
We will be kicking off our brand-new chapter this fall, learning these healthy, simple vocal techniques. While official rehearsals start on Sept. 24, interested singers are welcome to reach out via our website this summer to learn more. Check out chordaires.org to learn how you can lift your voice with us this fall!