The Importance of Fun

Here's a podcast about the importance of having fun vocally with a little surprise at the end! (HINT: ADELE)

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The New Year

With the new year right around the corner many people are starting to think about their new year resolutions. Don't forget about your voice during the greatest time of need!

If you're in school and in a choir, you will most likely be returning to class right after the new year. It's during this time that a lot of people start to loose their range because they aren't using it. USE IT OR LOOSE IT. Believe it or not it's true. This is also common among the summer months as well.

Make your new year resolution to remember to practice! If you don't practice you'll really regret it because you'll have to build up your range all over again and it's not very fun.

Christmas and Self-Confidence!

One of the hugest problems for singers is self-confidence, we're afraid of what others will think of us. Unlike using and instrument, we actually produce our own talent which makes criticism a little harder to handle.

The holidays is the best time to get out and show the world what you have to offer. Not only are there more opportunities from musicals, churches, caroling, etc., but people are often a lot nicer on what they have to say.

No one wants to go out and sing and be told they were flat/sharp or didn't hit a note correctly. We're all human, we're all allowed to make mistakes. I'm not going to sugar coat it, some people can just be plain rude in their criticism but most people are not. People are going to recognize that you had the strength to get up and sing when a lot of other people do not.

Christmas time promotes self confidence and self worth so use it up to the best of your abilities!

Using your Gift

Around Christmas time it becomes very important to be around family and friends. During this time it's also important to realize what you have and what others wish they did.

A lot of people give gifts to people who really need it. These gifts can include presents, food, money, and daily necessities. Yet no one ever stops and thinks about giving the gift of your talent.

If you have the talent to sing now is the time to share it. It's starting to get could outside and a lot of people who have no home or no where to live loose hope. This hope can be restored by just showing you care. You don't have to give money to show you care, just give your gift.

Go Christmas Caroling at the local mission. Show people that you want to share with them what you can. Most likely people will remember you more for your attitude then what you physically gave them. Let them sing with you!

Doing this will also help you gain self confidence to sing in auditions or other things similar. Get involved in your community.

Where are you Christmas

This is a podcast of me singing Where are you Christmas by Faith Hill. I hope you enjoy!

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Sunflower Music Festival

If you're thinking about getting involved and learning a little something about music as well then the Sunflower Music Festival is for you!

The festival runs from June 7th to June 15th, 2013. It's being held at White Concert Hall located in Washburn University.

This festival offers a great chance to singers ages 16-26 to be included. You have to apply to the Blanche Bryden Summer Institute for admission.
This includes:

• A youtube video audition
• Letter of Request if you're applying for scholorship
• and a $25 non refundable fee for the application

If you're serious about a music career this opportunity would be perfect!

This audition would focus on some things I've been talking about in previous posts like being prepared, what to wear, confidence, and many many more.

If you're interested in this activity go to the website: Sunflower Music Festival for more information!

Been Denied and You're afraid to try Again?

Believe it or not, denial is just part of the music process. But sometimes people get denied for things they shouldn't be and it really puts a damper on your self-esteem and how you feel about your talent.

For me, I've been denied for multiple different times, not because I don't have the talent but because of my wight; yes I'm morbidly obese.

When I was a sophomore in high school I tried out for the elite music group. Although I thought my audition went amazing, but I didn't get into the group.

Determined to show that I belonged I started to do everything I could to improve myself vocally. While at my last concert for the school year, my grandpa decided to ask my teacher what else I could do to help me improve and he heard the worst news ever.... I was discriminated against because of my weight.

The teacher in charge of the audition denied me because she was worried they wouldn't be able to find a dress in my size... the only problem with her answer is the dresses are specially made to fit anyway.

When I heard the news all I wouldn't to do was give up... How could I be discriminated against because of my weight with my amazing talent?

I fought back. Instead of not doing anything about the situation I fought back. No one, and I mean NO ONE deserves to be discriminated against when they have talent.

My family was supporting me 100% in my decision to fight back. While moving our way through talking to the school officials in the district the hardest one to persuade was the principle,  but it didn't take very long for him to change his mind. He heard me sing a solo at the Christmas concert, Where are you Christmas, and that's all he needed to change his mind. He pulled me aside to apologize and tell me I have his full support. Soon after the teacher was forced to resign and the end of the year and all of sudden other students were stepping up and saying they were discriminated against as well.

If I would have given up I would have never been seen as a talented person. I do not regret my decision in any way. Although I still have to deal with discrimination today I'm handling it a lot better knowing that people support me.

Never give up on your talent, if you do you'll never know what could have been.

audition clothes?!

One of the biggest stresses in an audition is what to wear! But don't worry, I have some amazing ideas for you.

Now the type of clothes you wear to an audition depend on the type of audition you have. Hopefully you know if you can wear more casual clothes or formal.

But here are some guidelines:

• don't wear anything that shows off your 'goodies'
• don't wear anything you wouldn't wear to church or in front of your grandparents
• always get a second opinion on your outfit
• make sure you feel and look comftorable
• if you're going to wear high heels, make sure you can walk in them
• when wearing makeup, make sure it's not excessive
• if you have any facial body piercings or tattoos make sure they're covered up 

Audition Tips for the Unprepared

After reading this article I've come to see, that I'm even unprepared for auditioning. Even though this article is aimed more for people who want to do some type of music with their life and not for fun, it can also be used for people who just want to use music to have fun.

This article talks about tips for your portfolio and your head-shot photo. It also goes on to talk about things to do during your audition and how to present yourself. It is a very good read and not very long so I STRONGLY recommend you read it.

Here's the link: Musical Theater Audition Tips

It's Christmas Time!

In almost every community the time to celebrate Christmas has already started! Here in Topeka, KS, there's multiple ways to get into the Christmas spirit musically but there's one in particular  I would like to share with you.

The Topeka Civic Theater and Academy is presenting A Christmas Story until the 23rd of December. Many of us have seen the movie but seeing the live play will be even better!

For people who are wondering about the atmosphere of being involved musically in your community this would be the perfect time to test the waters. You'll be able to see how people transform themselves into a different person by acting.

Although I'm pretty sure this isn't a musical it will still give you an insight to what acting is like because of course, when you sing you act.

You can look at the dates of the show and the prices at the link here: Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy

Bellow is also a map if you are interested.


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Want to know what a University Choir sounds like?

Here are some selections from the Washburn Choir concert on 10/21!

Q&A with a Vocal Education Major!

For this Q&A I decided to do the interview with Melanie Herd. Melanie is a senior at Washburn University and she is also my vocal teacher. She has helped me so much with being able to hit high notes and not be afraid of them! (which is a huge fear considering I'm a low alto!) She is also involved in the choirs at Washburn and was the Opera lead last semester in Dido and Aeneas!

Melanie Herd

Vocal Education Major

Photo Credits: Sara McVay

Q: When did you decide that you were going to be a music major?

A: I had a really great experience in the KCDA honor choir in 8th grade. I was really impressed with the director. He looked like he was having so much fun. It was so cool to be singing with 100 other kids who loved music and I thought how awesome would this be to do this as a career.

Q: You did an audition to get into Washburn, when you went to do your audition did you do any special preparations?

A: I auditioned with pieces I had done at solo contests in high school. I was musically prepared because of the rehearsal I had done with that. As far as mental preparation  I was a little bit naive about audition preparation. I knew you were suppose to like nice and pronounce yourself appropriately. It was a little bit intimidating going in and seeing the music faculty and that they are judging you. I could have done more for the mental preparation. I wouldn't say I was unprepared but it was just a new experience.

Q: Do you think looking nice is part of an audition?

A. Yes. That's the first thing people notice when  you walk in. Whether you like it or not they notice how you are dressed; is it important enough to this person that they took time to look professional. Very important thing to look like you're put together.

Q: Since you are a senior at Washburn, do you have any job plans set up for right now?

A: I am currently engaged and my fiance is settled in his career in our home town. So I'm kind of crossing my fingers that I'll get a music teaching job in that area. Praying that something works out because I want to teach at high school level. Eventually I want to go to grad school and teach at the university level. 

Q: Are you confident that there are jobs out there?

A: I'm trying to stay optimistic. It's kind of a scary thing right now in music with the cuts and everything that is happening in schools. The nice thing about the area I'll be living in is music is important in that culture. It's important to the community on a personal level. I'm not worried about the positions going away at the moment. 

Q: Describe your private teaching lessons/methods.

A: Right now I have one student in Topeka (which would be I, Kayla) and 4 in my home town. I teach out of my apartment. I focus on vocal technique rather then coaching. It's important to learn how to sing, which I am still learning, but the rest becomes easier with technique.

Q: Any advice for singing in general?

A: It's more work then I thought it would be, I expected hard work in college, but there's a lot more to singing then I ever thought there could be and it's awesome. The thing that distinguishes singing is that we have text. We serve the music and text. We tell a story while singing a beautiful melody. To people that are interested in singing: stay devoted and enjoy it. Don't let that hard work overshadow the enjoyment.

You have to work at music?! WHATTT!

Yes, I know it seems weird but music isn't just something you can do without practicing first. When I first started singing when I was 13 I didn't practice anything, I just though that since I had the talent there was no need to practice. Let's just say I was terribly wrong...

Not practicing when I was younger got me into HUGE trouble entering college.

I originally started a community college after high school and was practicing my vocal technique at all. All I would do that was musically inclined would be sing in the car on my way to class and occasionally karaoke.

I transferred to Washburn University before I finished my associates because I missed music in general, like singing in the choir. When I set up my audition for the music department I used a song I had previously sung in high school competitions and a piece from the musical Wicked. As usual my practicing consisted of singing while I was in the car.

FINALLY AUDITION DAY! And I bet you can almost guess what happened..... I bombed my audition because I wasn't prepared.

I honestly made a fool of myself. I missed my high notes on my Italian aria and messed up some words in the musical song... all because I didn't practice like I should have. The music department heads told me I had a nice voice but didn't meet the standards of vocal majors.

Singing is just like any other talent in the world, use it or loose it. I would have made it into the music department if it wasn't for my denial of practicing. As of right now, I practice everyday!


Let my mistake be a caution to you and your music dreams. No matter what your doing musically, practicing is always key.

Q&A with a Vocal Performance Major!

Zachary Cope

Vocal Performance/Violin Performance Major

Photo Credits: Kayla Quick

Q: What got you interested in music when you were younger?
A: My mother. She played piano and was a music major at Washburn. She inspired me to live up to her standards in music and I fell in love with it.

Q: Where you involved in high school music?
A: Yeah. I was involved in the orchestra and choir and some things in the band.

Q: When did you decided you were going to do a music major?
A: My freshman year in high school.

Q: How did you prepare for your audition for becoming a music major?
A: I actually did practice, practiced my two songs I needed to memorize.

Q: Would you say you did some acting in your audition performance as well?
A: Yeah, definitely.

Q: Where you nervous for your audition?
A: No, I love music so much all it does is inspire me.

Q: What advice would you give to people who want to be a music major?
A: Definitely practice, but also have the enjoyment of music that you'll still enjoy music after you work on it everyday for hours.

Q: Any other advice you'd like to give to people?
A: When you practice, don't beat yourself up. There's always another day, be happy and let the music flow.

The interview was conducted on 10/3/2012. I, Kayla Quick, interviewed Zachary Cope.

How to get Musically Involved in your Community!

The best way to get musically involved in your community is to participate in a local singing group, like church choir are auditioned choir, or audition to be in a musical at your local theatre!

Since I live in Topeka, KS all of my examples will be in that area.

Here in Topeka there is an auditioned music group called the festival singers. They perform a couple times a year and are directed by the same person who directs all the choirs at Washburn University!

There are multiple different types of community theaters you can audition at around Topeka that not only do musicals but plays as well. Topeka Civic Theatre And Academy, Helen Hocker Theatre, and the Auburn Community Theatre located in Auburn (20 min drive from Topeka) are some of the local theatres you can audition at.

Even if at these theatres you don't get a main part there is usually so much you can do to be involved with the production!

What do you want to do with singing in general?

It's really important to understand and know what kind of singing career you want, weather its just karaoke on Friday nights or trying to become Famous. Knowing what you want to do will let you know what you need to do to prepare yourself.

If you're just wanting to do some karaoke preparing yourself, vocally, will be pretty easy. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. Your voice needs to be able to sing the song you want to perform.

Let's say though that you decided you wanted to be in some local musicals. Practicing vocally is definitely important. But you also need to consider about practicing your acting as well and being able to learn the material for an audition, but more information about that to come in a later post.

Now let's say you decided you want to go all out in your music career and become famous. It's very hard and will require a lot of work, it won't just happen over night. In this case you'll most likely want to get a degree in vocal performance and go from there depending on what your degree is, but again more about that on a later post.


Decide what you want to do with your vocal talents and don't let anyone ever tell you you can't make your dream. DREAM BIG.

Music Yesterday and Today

It's pretty hard to imagine that music didn't use to have words in it, at all. Actually when the human voice started to appear in music it was usually just a hum on a pitch. But of course today that is all different. I can't even remember the last time I listened to "classical" music.

Music of yesterday, or classical music, is still played today but hardly anyone listens to it. But I think in order to understand music today you have to learn from music of yesterday.

Classical music is based in the form of a piano or symphony usually. Today pianos are hardly used, most of today's 'pop' music comes from electronic sources.

This is a Symphony

Photo Credits to Derek Gleeson

Below is "Water Music" by Handel. It was performed for the king of Europe. Do you think classical or modern music, pop, is more calming and soothing?

What is Music?

When people are asked what music is everyone in the world has a different answer. For me personally music is a way of self expression, a get away, and a way of life. Although I am not a music major, I would love to be one.

Almost every person on the planet listens to music everyday weather it be in the car, elevator, or watching music videos. Music is in everyone's life and you might not even notice it.

Music has a way to make us feel happy or sad without a word being said. It doesn't matter what type of music you're listening to it causes a reaction that makes us feel happy or sad. I found an interesting article today, "Why Does Music Make Us Feel?" by Mark Changizi, and I really suggest you read it! It helps you understand music emotionally.

Vocal Type

One of the first things you need to know as a singer is your vocal range. There are 4 basic different types of vocal types, 2 for men and 2 for women.

Bass is the lowest singing part for men. Next is the tenors, also for men, and they can sing high notes sometimes even a woman's part. Soprano and alto are the woman's range, alto is low and soprano is high.

I found a neat little video to help you find your vocal type if you don't know!

Let's Start this Adventure!

Hey everyone! My name is Kayla Quick and I'm a student at Washburn University. Since I was a little girl I've always been interested in music and singing. Now that I'm older it's clear that I have some talent and I would love to share my tips with you.

Throughout this blog I'll talk about things such as how to audition, vocal types, technique, and how to simply have fun with vocal music!