I submitted one of my songs, "If I Could", for possible inclusion on a CD called The Art of Men. It was chosen earlier this year.
After final production and mastering, very excited that the CD is being launched at the Mint in Los Angeles on Wed 26 Aug 2009 - the day after my birthday. Sorry I can't be there, but I am there in spirit!
Also recently learned that the double CD has 35 tracks that were chosen out of 700 entries, which is so encouraging to me! Yay - it means that I'm one of the top 5%, and it is such a confidence booster...
Listened to a John Demartini talk last night here in Jo'burg - with music I know I have truly found my passion and my love. It's a joyous, liberating feeling...
For more on Art of Men please click this link: http://gilli.net/wgm/artofmen/index.htm.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Ina Wiegand Singing Scholarship
This sounds like a press release because it is one!
The scholarship has been set up by singer-songwriter Rob Rodell to help a formerly disadvantaged student to learn how to sing.
Rodell set the scholarship up as a tribute to Ina Wiegand, the owner of the Respiro Vocal Studio in Pretoria. “Ina really helped me a lot by offering me free lessons in preparation for my Licentiate in singing,” says Rodell. “This is my way of paying it forward – by extending the same courtesy to someone who is really desperate to learn how to sing properly. I will always be grateful to Ina for her help. When I thanked her, she encouraged me to do the same for someone else.”
The singing scholarship will afford one student the opportunity of working with Rodell for one year. The incumbent would need to make their own way to the venue for the lesson, but that is the only cost. After that, the winning student will enjoy a one-hour lesson with Rodell for a year, which includes holidays by mutual agreement, and missed lessons. The full value of the scholarship is over R10,000. “There is no doubt in my mind that if a student comes to me for a year and regularly rehearses and works hard, that by the end of that year s/he will be a much better singer,” says Rodell.
There is no age or race limitation for the scholarship. The student needs to write a motivational letter to prove his/her eligibility and a background check will be performed to ensure that the scholarship does indeed go to someone with limited means. Rodell explains that he’s not even necessarily looking for someone with talent – just great desire – since learning to sing correctly is simply a matter of good technique and plain old-fashioned hard work.
The process of finding a suitable candidate for the scholarship will be undertaken by Addi Lang of the Return 2 Roots Foundation and Caitlin’s Castings, non-profit organisations aimed at assisting abused women and children. To apply, please email addi@netactive.co.za. The closing date for the 2009/10 scholarship is 31 July. The chosen student will begin training in September 2009.
The scholarship has been set up by singer-songwriter Rob Rodell to help a formerly disadvantaged student to learn how to sing.
Rodell set the scholarship up as a tribute to Ina Wiegand, the owner of the Respiro Vocal Studio in Pretoria. “Ina really helped me a lot by offering me free lessons in preparation for my Licentiate in singing,” says Rodell. “This is my way of paying it forward – by extending the same courtesy to someone who is really desperate to learn how to sing properly. I will always be grateful to Ina for her help. When I thanked her, she encouraged me to do the same for someone else.”
The singing scholarship will afford one student the opportunity of working with Rodell for one year. The incumbent would need to make their own way to the venue for the lesson, but that is the only cost. After that, the winning student will enjoy a one-hour lesson with Rodell for a year, which includes holidays by mutual agreement, and missed lessons. The full value of the scholarship is over R10,000. “There is no doubt in my mind that if a student comes to me for a year and regularly rehearses and works hard, that by the end of that year s/he will be a much better singer,” says Rodell.
There is no age or race limitation for the scholarship. The student needs to write a motivational letter to prove his/her eligibility and a background check will be performed to ensure that the scholarship does indeed go to someone with limited means. Rodell explains that he’s not even necessarily looking for someone with talent – just great desire – since learning to sing correctly is simply a matter of good technique and plain old-fashioned hard work.
The process of finding a suitable candidate for the scholarship will be undertaken by Addi Lang of the Return 2 Roots Foundation and Caitlin’s Castings, non-profit organisations aimed at assisting abused women and children. To apply, please email addi@netactive.co.za. The closing date for the 2009/10 scholarship is 31 July. The chosen student will begin training in September 2009.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Why I'm quitting the music industry
Yeah right, like that's ever gonna happen... I'll crawl across the stage at 80 to go fetch my Grammy, or they can wheel me on there with my oxygen mask and a standy medical crew. I ain't no quitter (pardon the double negative).
It's like my friend Corinne said after she tried to quit writing: giving it up was like trying to give up breathing - it's impossible.
So there you go - kick me world, I don't care. I am always gonna fight for what I love, no matter how long it takes to get there...
Musica, grata Deo.
It's like my friend Corinne said after she tried to quit writing: giving it up was like trying to give up breathing - it's impossible.
So there you go - kick me world, I don't care. I am always gonna fight for what I love, no matter how long it takes to get there...
Musica, grata Deo.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Maybe NOT finding my own voice...
Been working with Corinne on the solo album, in between the musical. Now I'm in two minds: do I be true to myself and find my own voice in my first solo album, or do I compromise and look for the hits and respond to the market? Wonder how many artists before me have grappled with this problem...
Seth Godin will tell you that playing it safe is risky, and that if you want to dominate your niche you have to anny some people. Seth my hero...
Time will tell. Meanwhile, just havin' fun with the album!
Seth Godin will tell you that playing it safe is risky, and that if you want to dominate your niche you have to anny some people. Seth my hero...
Time will tell. Meanwhile, just havin' fun with the album!
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