On our trek to the top Sunday, we met an opera singer from Paris, Eric Gervais. After a bit of “how-do-you-do” and “what-do-you-do” conversation, Abe, the choral teacher at Woodstock, invited Eric to come to his class Monday. Eric was “on holiday” for a few days in India, staying at a hotel about an hour’s walk away and was pleased to be asked and accepted the invitation.
The class met in the Quad Auditorium, a perfect setting for a small recital (except for the noise in the hall from students going into the cafeteria!)
Eric sang three selections, answered questions about technique and his experiences and then critiqued the class on their choral singing. The most impressive demonstration he did was the difference in volume when you use your sinuses and open your mouth. He sang a note with a small mouth and then moved into a large LOUD voice that really carried. Impressive to me but more importantly, impressive to the students. He is a tenor and was able to get a high note that set the bar for the tenors in the class.
A few more pictures:
The last photo was taken from the third floor of the music building where Abe’s office is. You can see the left end of the quad and across the way, the doors to the cafeteria.
