Episode 52 (pt 1) Singerreise update

Welcome to Fall in the Seattle area! The rain has returned, the dark is creeping earlier and earlier, kids are back in school and music lessons, and opera and choirs are in full swing.

For Singerreise, fall means we're back in business. There's the final handful of songs from Winterreise yet to go, but also more interviews, more videos on singer life, and so on.

There's other music to cover, too. Bach is on its way with the Christmas season approaching. There's also a number of common art song and aria anthologies that I would like to discuss and perform. These kinds of videos will build up over time and act as resources for other singers and students of singing.

I'm hoping to get a few more pedagogical videos going, talking about some of the big issues that come up when I teach lessons. As part of that, I'd like to go through Nicola Vaccai's Practical Method of Italian Singing, which I use with all my voice students.

A few opportunities to expand Singerreise's offerings are just around the corner, too. For example, I have always wanted Singerreise to be host to some live events, like performances or forums. I've always intended for Winterreise to be the first one, and with each Winterreise video we're getting closer and closer to that being a reality.

There's also an online, Singerreise store in the works. I hope to sell some Singerreise swag, productivity aids, and whatever else I can come up with. And with additional support at Patreon, the rest of the Singerreise.com website can get a makeover. We're not too far from it. All it would take is a few more patrons to reach that goal, as few as six or seven more.

Beyond that, there is some equipment that I'm in dire need of to improve the quality of the videos. A few more patrons would make that happen, too.

And of course, I'd love to be able to grow Singerreise beyond myself, too, involving other professionals in the making of videos and promoting them. All of that is possible only through your support.

You can see all my Singerreise | Patreon goals at patreon.com/singerreise. If you haven't been there yet, check it out, if only to peek into my mind and see some of the other wild things I have planned.

Stay tuned over the next week for the rest of Episode 52, including "Im Dorfe."

Episode 51's Deleted Scenes #10-18

Here's a listing of what's in another several scenes at patreon.com/singerreise:

Episode 51's Deleted Scenes, #1 - #9

About half of the Deleted Scenes for the Sarah Mattox interview (Episode 51) have been posted to https://patreon.com/singerreise. Here's some of the things that are included in it!

Episode 51 - Singer Interview: Sarah Mattox

On the Singerreise Video Podcast, I have another Singer Interview! Today's interview is with Sarah Mattox, whom I've known for about ten years. We've done several projects together, most recently performing together in Madama Butterfly at Seattle Opera, and also a Carmen with Pacific Northwest Opera.

Excerpt from Episode 51, with Sarah Mattox

While I'm working on the rest of the upcoming episode featuring Sarah Mattox, I posted a short excerpt at patreon.com/singerreise.

While this one is available to everyone, there will be several other deleted scenes available only to patrons. So while you're over there, hit that "Become a Patron" button and gain access to dozens of bonus videos, audio and other content!

No. 16, Letzte Hoffnung (050)

So, for this article, we're going to cover number 16 in the cycle, Letzte Hoffnung, or "Last Hope." That's 16 of 24, by the way. We're now officially two thirds of the way through Winterreise!

Why we're looking Winterreise

In the next episode of the podcast, we'll be taking a look at the next song in the Winterreise cycle. But if you're new to the Singerreise series, you may be wondering why I've made all these videos about Schubert's Winterreise.

Episode 50? Whoa ...

I just realized that I'm working on Episode 50! Congratulations to me!

But also thanks to all of my patrons at Patreon! Your help has been invaluable in keeping this thing going.

The best way to ensure that I get to 100 is to become a patron yourself at patreon.com/singerreise. I can still really use your help!

Let's all hope for another 50!

Winterreise, No. 15, Die Krähe (049)

In the next episode of the Podcast, we are continuing our journey through Schubert's masterpiece, Winterreise. We'll be taking a look at number 15 in the cycle, Die Krähe.

Deleted Scenes for Patrons

There's a new feature for Patreon patrons: deleted scenes from the interview!

Singer Interview - Marlon Trigg (048)

Two weeks have gone by, but I have definitely been busy! I've been performing in Seattle Opera's Madama Butterfly, with another 3 more performances to go. Meanwhile, I've been chipping away, hour by precious hour (I've sunk probably 20 hours into it), at another interview!

No. 14 - Der greise Kopf (047)

Next up is number 14 in the Winterreise cycle, "Der greise Kopf."

There's a marked turn in this piece. Up to this point, there's been several mentions about a hot heart, about storms, and a passionate outcry of loss. But in 14, we begin to see those fade away. Now, our Wanderer starts to contemplate death.

No. 13 - Die Post (046)

Welcome back to Winterreise!

Believe it or not, it was still winter when we last looked at the masterwork that birthed Singerreise. Now that taxes are finished and my performing load is under control, we're ready to dive back in!

End of the 99 Reasons campaign

Perhaps 99 wasn't enough?

Today marks the final day of the 99 Reasons campaign. To be honest, I thought it would garner more attention, more viewership, and, of course, more patrons. None of that seems to have happened, at least, not significantly so, and thus this becomes a learning experience.

Spirituals and Deep River (45)

Singerreise's videos and articles are all about the singing life. Sometimes that means I'll be doing interviews of other singers to find out more about what they do. Sometimes, I take a survey of opinions on a subject. When I do that, I get to do my favorite thing, and just be a host for the conversation.

But more often, Singerreise's about my singing life, and my career. I consider my own life as Exhibit A, the first of many examples. So if you're interested in finding out more about what I do as a working opera singer, this is the right place!

One of the things I do with Singerreise is take you behind the scenes, showing you something that I'm currently working on. This is one of those Episodes! As I often do, I'm singing a solo for church on Sunday. The piece that I chose is Deep River, arranged by Moses Hogan. Sarah Silvia will accompany me.

Deep River at Patreon

Patrons just got treated to a new audio file of me singing Deep River with Sarah accompanying. This is part of the upcoming episode, targeted for Friday. If you want to have an early listen yourself (and then download the file and put it on your smartphone to show off to your friends), all it takes is $7 at patreon.com/singerreise! And there's more coming.

Anyway, I took a listen to the recording today - I got all my bars lined up in the right place, all of my levels set in Audacity, and let it run.

It brought me to tears.

Seven Tips for Singer Taxes: Tip #7

And here we have yet another article in the Seven Tips for Singer Taxes series. Thus far we've covered some basics and six of the seven tips:

Tip #1: Keep a log of all your income.
Tip #2: Put all your self-employment income into a separate checking account.
Tip #3: Only use your business checking account for business.
Tip #4: Save for and pay estimated taxes.
Tip #5: Track mileage.
Tip #6: Claim a home office expense.

Sounds pretty good so far, right? But I'm sure that I've opened up far more problems than I've solved thus far. That brings us to the final tip!

Seven Tips for Singer Taxes: Tip #6

We're getting closer to the end of this series that I've been calling Seven Tips for Singer Taxes. Thus far, we've covered some basics, and five of the seven tips:

Tip #1: Keep a log of all your income.
Tip #2: Put all your self-employment income into a separate checking account.
Tip #3: Only use your business checking account for business.
Tip #4: Save for and pay estimated taxes.
Tip #5: Track mileage.

Mileage is usually my biggest, single business expense. The second, however, winds up being

Seven Tips for Singer Taxes: Tip #5

Yes, this is yet another article in the series called Seven Tips for Singer Taxes series. Thus far we've covered some basics and the first four tips:

Tip #1: Keep a log of all your income.
Tip #2: Put all your self-employment income into a separate checking account.
Tip #3: Only use your business checking account for business.
Tip #4: Save for and pay estimated taxes.

That leads up to the next tip!

Tip #5: Track your mileage.

Seven Tips for Singer Taxes: Tip #4

This is another article in the Seven Tips for Singer Taxes series. And while I know that tax season has long since come and gone, my hope is that if you start implementing these tips now, it'll be much easier for you when tax season arrives next year.

#99Reasons 1-50

There won't be any new episodes of the Singerreise Video Podcast for the next couple weeks. But we are hitting a new milestone - the #99Reasons to join @Singerreise at #Patreon campaign just hit Reason 50! We're over half-way there!

Here's what we've got so far. Remember - if any of these apply to you, you should become a patron.

1. You love Singerreise. Almost as much as I do.

The Magic Flute: In diesen heil'gen Hallen (040)

As you may already know, I'm currently involved in a production of Mozart's Magic Flute at Seattle Opera. There's a few performances left, so definitely check it out!

The Magic Flute: O Isis und Osiris (039)

I'm presently in a production of the Magic Flute at Seattle Opera, which has two great bass arias in it. In this article, I'll talk about the first one, plus a bit more about the opera. You can see my first post about The Magic Flute as a Singspiel here.

The Magic Flute: a Singspiel (038)

As you may know, I am currently in a production of The Magic Flute with Seattle Opera. There's still several performances to go, so I'd encourage you to try and get some tickets. It's been a very popular production and seats are limited, but it's well worth it!

Zueignung (037)

Below I have a special treat for you! Thanks to the generous support of our Patreon patrons, Singerreise has reached its first goal, a special, MUSICAL thank you video on the Patreon page. This musical video greets anyone just after they make their pledge.

Seven Tips for Singer Taxes: Tip #3 (036)

Welcome back singer tax enthusiasts! This is another article in the Seven Tips for Singer Taxes series. Thus far we've covered some basics and the first two tips:

Tip #1: Keep a log of all your income.
Tip #2: Put all your self-employment income into a separate checking account.

So while we're on the topic of using that business checking account:

Tip #3: Only use your business checking account for business.

Next up for Singerreise

Most of the week has been devoted to getting Magic Flute up and running - but there is more Singerreise to come!

Here's what's in the works:

Seven Tips for Singer Taxes: Tip #2 (035)

This is another article in the Seven Tips for Singer Taxes series. Previously, we talked about some of the major difference between being an employee and being Self-Employed. And then we covered the first tip:

Go for two! The second Patreon goal

Singerreise's next goal is $150 per month. At that point, Singerreise gets a revamped website, and that's really good news for those of you who read here regularly.

Here's just some of the reasons that's a good thing:

Seven Tips for Singer Taxes: Tip #1

In this article we're continuing a series I call Seven Tips for Singer Taxes. Previously, we talked about the major differences between being an Employee and being Self-Employed. Now, we get to our first tip!

Seven Tips for Singer Taxes: An Introduction (033)

Here's a subject we all know and love - taxes!

Taxes for the singer can be extremely tricky. It involves a lot of variables... but I'm here to help! Whether you're still trying to put the final touches on your overdue return, or whether you want to avoid another nightmare next year, this next series of articles are for you!

Reason #7 - Arts can't rely on government anymore.

Comments on reason #7 - A lot has been said about the proposed national budget that would potentially get rid of the National Endowment for the Arts. Whether or not the government *should* support the arts is easy: of course it should. But arts organizations can't rely on government to pay its bills, because of the volatile nature of politics. Your personal arts champion will eventually leave or be voted out of office, and the next guy will have a different opinion.

#99Reasons to Join Singerreise At Patreon

If you've been watching Singerreise, you already know that Singerreise is on Patreon. At Patreon.com/singerreise, you can help fund the creation of Singerreise's videos, articles, and resources by becoming a "patron." With your support, Singerreise can keep going for weeks, months, and years to come.

But let me put that another way. WithOUT your support, Singerreise is too costly for me to continue on my own, and I will have to shut it down.

New video on the Patreon Page!

As I was working on this new video for the front page at patreon.com/singerreise, Singerreise got two new patrons! Thanks for all the support!

Singerreise is now on Twitter!

For an upcoming campaign, I'm officially launching Singerreise on Twitter! Follow along at Twitter.com/Singerreise, or with the username @Singerreise.

But if you're a facebook user, that's still my go-to platform. So make sure to like us at facebook.com/singerreise as well! It'll help you keep up-to-date with what's happening, and you can post, comment and share about Singerreise.

And if you're in it for the videos, subscribe to the YouTube Channel. That means you get emails whenever I release a new video. It also helps Singerreise to show up more often on the YouTube homepage and in searches. More visibility would really help here!

And of course, Patreon.com/singerreise. Did you miss Episode 30? 'Cause that's where I talk about how Patreon is the most important of all these outlets.

Mozart double bill !

A quick update:

This is a busy weekend in the Silvia household!

Interview: Linda Kitchen (031)

A few days ago I got to interview Linda Kitchen. Linda and I are currently in the final week of rehearsals for Don Giovanni at Pacific Northwest Opera. Linda also happens to be the wife of Seattle Opera's General Director, Aidan Lang. We talk about her experience as a singer and as a director, about family life, and about Don Giovanni itself.

Why you need to check out Patreon (030)

Perhaps you've heard me mention Patreon?

Book Review: The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg (029)

I have Singerreise book review for you! This time, I went back to reread Charles Duhigg's "The Power of Habit." This book has done a lot to reshape how I think about, well, a lot of things. It's a great book that empowers, even demands that you become a better person.

Singer Interview: Laura Loge (028)

On Monday, I got to interview Laura Loge, a Seattle-based soprano!

Winterreise, No. 12 - Einsamkeit (027)

Here it is! The halfway point for Winterreise. This is number 12 of the 24 songs in the Winterreise cycle. It also is a bit of an ending piece. The cycle was composed in two volumes, Part One and Part Two, with each of them having 12 songs in them. This piece, Einsamkeit, was the ending of the first part.

Winterreise No. 11, Frühlingstraum (026)

As far as Winterreise goes, that was a longer break after "Rast" than anticipated. We've had our Singerreise adventures with a concert, with interviews and a book review, but we weren't done with Winterreise. I am still planning to do all 24 songs. So now I present to you the 11th in the cycle, Frühlingstraum!

Interview: Gary Cannon and Scott Kovacs of the Emerald Ensemble (025)

On the Singerreise Video Podcast (a.k.a. the Singerreise YouTube Channel), I had the pleasure of interviewing Gary Cannon and Scott Kovacs, directors of the Emerald Ensemble, one of Seattle's newest and hottest professional choral groups.

Subscribing to Singerreise.com (the blog)

If you never noticed it before, there is a way to subscribe to this blog. Find the "Follow by email" box to the right, and pop in your email address. After a brief confirmation, you're good to go! From that point forward, every post here at Singerreise will be sent directly to your email inbox.

Book Review (video) (024): Platform by Michael Hyatt

On Thursday, Saturday, and Monday, a three-part review was published here at Singerreise.com.

• Part One - general impression
• Part Two - a few issues
• Part Three - the good stuff

... all about Michael Hyatt's book Platform: Getting Noticed in a Noisy World.

Today you can watch the review in video form! The video is shorter and less in-depth compared to the blog posts, but perhaps some of you might prefer that.

Book Review - Platform by Michael Hyatt, Part 3

So here's the third post about my encounter with Michal Hyatt's book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World. I've already talked about the overall premise of the book and my expectations of it in my first post, and where it seemed to fall short in my second post. But let's get into the good parts!

Book Review - Platform by Michael Hyatt, Part 2

In my previous post I started talking about a book I just finished reading: Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, by Michael Hyatt, which I "read" as an audiobook, performed by the author. In that post, I got into some of the basic concepts in it, and why it applies so immediately to where we are as singers.

Book Review - Platform by Michael Hyatt, Part 1

Here's a new one for Singerreise: A book review!

Periodically, I will post reviews of books that I have been reading that may be of interest to singers. This one is called Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, by Michael Hyatt. I "read" the audiobook, performed by the author.

Memorization, Part 3: All the comments!

I got some really fantastic feedback on memorization. Here's all of the comments, as they appeared in facebook.

Memorization, Part 3 - How Others Memorize (023)

The theme for January had been Memorization. Well, it was Memorization and COME TO MY CONCERT! But let's get back to memorization!

In Part 1, we discussed what it means to be memorized, and what some of the industry standards are. Then, in Part 2, I gave an overview of how I go about memorizing - when I do it as I intend to do it.

Here in Part 3, I'm going to summarize a number of other singers' strategies for memorization. I got some really great feedback on this subject a couple weeks ago - and then there was Traviata and Winterreise, and I couldn't get the results out to you all.

Singer Interview: Ryan Bede (022)

For the video released today, we get to know Ryan Bede, my partner for the Winter's Journey concert on Sunday! (2 p.m. on January 29th at Bellevue Presbyterian Church, see this concert announcement, or this facebook event)

Ryan has a website you can check out here: http://www.ryanbede.com/ and a facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/Ryan-Bede-Baritone-396597297067891/.

Born and raised in Tacoma, WA, baritone Ryan Christopher Bede makes his Seattle Opera solo debut in May 2017 as the Second Priest in The Magic Flute, followed by Prince Yamadori in Madama Butterfly and Fiorello in The Barber Of Seville in the 2017-18 season. He recently sang Papageno in The Magic Flute with Opera Idaho and performed his fifth Schaunard in La Boheme with Coeur d'Alene Opera in partnership with the Spokane Symphony. He also returned to Tacoma Opera as Tiger Brown in The Threeepenny Opera, after having sung Papageno, Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette, and the Pirate King in The Pirates Of Penzance in recent seasons. He also performed in Spectrum Dance Theater's acclaimed production of Carmina Burana as well as Bach's Christmas Oratorio with Early Music Vancouver/Pacific Musicworks, conducted by Stephen Stubbs. He sang the role of the Land Speculator in the premiere of Sarah Mattox's opera Heart Mountain with Vespertine Opera and reprised the role of Count Almaviva in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro with the newly-formed Bellevue City Opera. He has been a frequent soloist with Orchestra Seattle in such masterpieces as Fauré's Requiem, Duruflé's Requiem, and Vaughan Williams's Fantasia On Christmas Carols. He sang Rutter's Mass Of The Children with the Everett Chorale and Bellevue Presbyterian Church, and in the summer of 2017 he will sing his first Mozart Requiem in Sofia and Varna, Bulgaria.

Other recent performances have included a concert of French opera selections for the Seattle/Nantes Sister City Organization, Samuel Barber's Dover Beach with the Seattle-based Bella Sala Ensemble, Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus with Skagit Opera, and Albert in Werther with Vashon Opera. He spent a summer as an Emerging Artist with Opera New Jersey and has also sung Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro, Captain Corcoran in H.M.S. Pinafore, Guglielmo in Cosi fan tutte, Prince Yamadori in Madama Butterfly, Ben in Menotti's The Telephone and Fiorello in Il barbiere di Siviglia in recent seasons. Favorite concert engagements have included Handel's Messiah (Our Lady Of Fatima Parish and Federal Way Symphony) and Israel In Egypt, Bach's Magnificat, and numerous cantata performances.

He is a former Young Artist with Tacoma Opera and the Aspen Opera Theater Center, and was a two-time recipient of the Seattle Opera Guild Singers Training Fund Grant. He completed his studies at the University of Puget Sound and the University of Washington, and now frequently performs as a lecturer and preview artist for the Seattle Opera Guild. He presently serves as the baritone soloist and section leader at Bellevue Presbyterian Church, and teaches voice at the University Of Puget Sound and Tacoma Community College, as well as maintaining a private studio in the Tacoma area.

Concert Annoucement and coming videos!

So there's no article today and no video, but there are a few announcements!

First up, a concert! THE concert that got this whole thing going is almost upon us.

Official Press Release:

On Sunday January 29^th at 2pm, SDG will host an afternoon of Franz Schubert’s masterpiece, “Winterreise”, sung by baritones Ryan Bede and Jonathan Silvia! Cynthia Dean also returns for “A Winter Come” by Northwest composer Morton Lauridsen. This afternoon promises to be one of hauntingly lovely vocal music, sung by some of the newest “breakout artists” in the Seattle area. We look forward to seeing YOU at our first SDG concert for 2017! Freewill offering benefits the Soli Deo Gloria Concert Series and allows us to continue to foster the arts and our local artists in the Eastside/Seattle area.

Memorization Part 2, How Jonathan Memorizes (021)

Welcome back to our series on memorization! In the previous article, we talked about what being "on-book" and "off-book" means, and what the industry standards are for each type of performing. In this article, I'll cover my personal habits on memorization.

Memorization, Part 1: Definitions and Expectations (020)

When talking with audience members after a long opera, one subject that seems to come up time and time again is "How do you memorize all that?" In the next couple articles, we'll try to address exactly that. These are mostly my thoughts as a singer to other singers.

Facebook Photo Album

Singerreise has a four-pronged approached to connecting with people and getting the word out:

Winterreise No. 10 - Rast (019)

In No. 8, Rückblick we were in a dead run. In No. 9, Irrlicht, we were delusional from the exertion. Here in No. 10, Rast, we finally realize that we are weary.

It seems that the little flames were not ghosts, but just a spark from the charcoal-burner's house. As it comes into view, the Wanderer decides now would be a good time to rest, and thus we get the title of the piece, "Rast."

Witnerreise, No. 9 - Irrlicht (018)

Ready for a good ol' fashioned ghost story? No, I'm not confused about which holiday it is. We're talking about Irrlicht, number nine in the Winterreise cycle.

Up to this point in the Winterreise saga, we've looked at the town and all its features - the river, the trees, the houses, snow in the street, and so on.