Our next week will be busy. No rehearsal on Monday, but lots of singing to make up for it.

June 26, 2005 Arrive at 12:00 noon.

14:00 at le Centre de la nature (approx. 25min)

• Tonight,
• Orange Coloured Sky,
• Sixteen Tons,
• Chances Are,
• Before the Parade Passes By,

and WIC joins for

• Secret Love,
• And So To Sleep Again, and
• Let There Be Peace On Earth.

19:00 at Salle Collège Laval (approx. 40-45 min)

• Tonight
• Orange Coloured Sky,
• You’ll Never Walk Alone,
• Give My Regards To Broadway,
• Chances Are,
• Sixteen Tons,
• Witchcraft,
• Before the Parade Passes By,
• The Impossible Dream,

and WIC joins for

• Secret Love,
• And So To Sleep Again, and
• Let There Be Peace On Earth.

21:30 before the opening of the fireworks. (approx. 20-25 min) – The same songs as at 14:00.

June 28,2005 Arrive at 17:30, on stage with WISAC for Secret Love, And So To Sleep Again, and Let There Be Peace On Earth. Salle Collège Laval.

June 29, 2005 Arrive at 17:30, on stage with WISAC for Secret Love, And So To Sleep Again, and Let There Be Peace On Earth. Salle Collège Laval.

O. K., you say, what's the big deal, I already know how to inhale -- I do it all the time! Well, so you do, but maybe not in the way to best help you enjoy singing. Read on!

Proceeding from the position of good posture (well balanced body, pelvis tucked, chest expanded, shoulders down and relaxed, head centred, neck free), slowly breathe in through the nose, very deeply, and feel the area around the belt line expand (front, rear and sides). Remember that the chest should be comfortably raised and expanded. If you have difficulty producing this feeling, sit on the edge of a chair with your elbows on your knees and breathe deeply through the nose. This will let you feel the expansion around the belt line that is the basis for the "singer's breath".

Secondly, stand in front of a mirror and monitor your chest (look at the top button of your shirt) as you breathe in deeply as described above. There should be no, make that NO, movement of your upper chest area (which is, of course, already expanded). Repeat this process a number of times. (Be careful of hyperventilation! If you get dizzy, stop for a while.)

It may be helpful to think of this process as expanding the muscles around the belt line, thereby creating a vacuum into which the air will rush. However you visualise it, it is vitally important for the sides, front, and back of the area below the rib cage to be involved.

As a last point, try to feel (and imagine) the area below the stomach going down as you inhale. This will further allow the expansion you need to occur.

Now, kiddies, you MUST practice this for a few minutes each day. If you will, these movements will become habitual in a very short time. Good inhalation habits, coupled with an upright, relaxed posture, will MEASURABLY improve your singing and your enjoyment of this great hobby.

Next week, tah, daaah! - INHALATION II! Good luck and good singing.

Here is our current repertoire list: [mp3] means that the mp3 file is on the Members' Only web site