The Effect of Conductor Lip Rounding on Individual Singers’ Lip Postures during Sung Latin /u/ Vowels: A Pilot Study

Authors

  • James F. Daugherty University of Kansas
  • Melissa C. Brunkan University of Kansas

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess potential effects of conductor lip rounding of /u/ vowels on the lip postures of individual singers. Participants (N=62) sang a cappella the opening phrase in the melody line of Mozart’s motet “Ave Verum Corpus,” while watching a videotaped conductor under two conditions: (a) conducting gestures with neutral facial affect (baseline condition) and (b) the same conducting gestures plus conductor lip rounding on the /u/ vowels of “verum” and “corpus” (experimental condition). Participants were video-recorded in each condition. A panel of experienced voice teachers (N=6) rated each participant on a 7 item scale (a lot less to a lot more) with respect to degree of lip rounding evidenced in the experimental condition on sung /u/ vowels. Results indicated increased lip rounding by all participants on at least one of the sung Latin /u/ vowels, regardless of age, choral singing experience, and other demographic factors, with no participant evidencing less lip rounding in the experimental condition on either /u/ vowel. Means for the /u/ in “corpus” tended higher than means for the /u/ in “verum.” Means for female lip rounding were higher than male means. Participant means were higher for singers with 3 or more years of private voice lessons. Most participants (n=54, 87.10%) noted some difference in conductor behaviour between the two conditions, yet only 29% of participants specifically and accurately described the difference. Results were discussed in terms of the theory “what they see is what you get” in choral singing contexts, limitations of the study, and suggestions for further research.cifically and accurately described the difference.

Author Biographies

James F. Daugherty, University of Kansas

JAMES F. DAUGHERTY, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Choral/Vocal Pedagogy and Director of Graduate Studies in Music Education and Music Therapy at the University of Kansas and the editor of the International Journal of Research in Choral Singing. This year marks his sixth consecutive Phenomenon of Singing Symposium.

Melissa C. Brunkan, University of Kansas

MELISSA BRUNKAN holds degrees from the University of Minnesota and Northwestern University in music education, choral conducting and vocal pedagogy/performance. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in Choral Pedagogy at the University of Kansas. Prior to her work at the University of Kansas, she served as the Vocal Music specialist at the Fine Arts Interdisciplinary Resource School near Minneapolis, Minnesota, teaching vocal music, sound art and choral music to students in grades 4 through 8. Other experience has included pre-K through College level music, choir, voice teaching as well as conducting, musical theater directing and workshop facilitation. Melissa has sung and conducted professionally with choirs, opera and theatre companies and churches throughout the United States, including the Minnesota Chorale, the Florentine Opera, Stages Theater Company and the Twin Cities Women’s Chorus. Vocal performance has taken her places such as Denver, New York, and Chicago. Melissa has also conducted choirs in schools, churches and the community. Her choirs have sung with artists from places such as China, Venezuela and Indonesia, performing in various venues from the Minnesota State Capitol to the Kennedy Center. Conducting instructors have included James F. Daugherty, Axel Theimer and Claire McCoy. A member of MENC, ACDA, NATS and the VoiceCare Network, Melissa is a member of the VoiceCare Network Mentorship Apprentice Program. She currently resides in Lawrence, Kansas, with her daughter, Madi and black lab, Sirius Black.

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Published

2013-10-29

Issue

Vol. 7 (2009): The Phenomenon of Singing International Symposium VII

Section

Articles