Vocal & Keyboard Fundamentals

Mr. Seifert's vocal music background.

Mr. Seifert studied voice and choral music at The Philadelphia College of Bible, and for five year's at The Boston Conservatory of Music. Mr. Seifert performed in both the Boston Conservatory Chorus and Conservatory Select Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Phillip Steinhaus. Major performances with full orchestra and chorus include: Bach's Saint Matthew Passion, Hodie by R. Vaughan Williams, Mozart's Requiem at Trinity Church, Copley Square Boston, and the Beethoven 9th Symphony. On December 14, 1980 the Conservatory Chorale performed a significant Christmas concert  in New Port Rhode Island at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church featuring the American premiere of the Magnificat in C by Johann Pachelbel. While living in the Pacific Northwest Mr. Seifert worked full time as a 6-7 grade Middle School Choir Director and Elementary K-5 Music specialist, additionally; Mr. Seifert continued his choral work as he was engaged as a Church Choir Director for two different congregations in the Seattle area. Mr. Seifert's post graduate studies include summer music intensives in Choral Singing and Conducting of British Choral Master Works, held at Seattle Pacific University.

Although I have an extensive vocal music background, I do not teach private voice lessons, nor do I consider myself a vocal coach. Below I have outlined a few thoughts for parents which I hope are helpful when considering voice lessons for a school age student.

The development of a child's voice and how to approach when voice lessons may begin. Formal vocal training for children is generally recommended for children ages ten or older.  Beginning vocal students should use their voice gently as they study the fundamentals of music through piano lessons. Formal voice training is generally reserved for students beyond middle school age. In the "Vocal & Keyboard Fundamentals" classes  a student learns to sing gently and naturally with diaphragmatic support as the voice matures, while simultaneously building their music skills via: Ear Training, Solfege, and by learning to read music notation.