Books published by Compton Publishing Ltd

'I think the knowledge presented in the text is hugely important for teachers of singing. In the shadow of ignorance, superstition and misunderstanding rage. Some singers do quite well even if their thinking about the voice is completely nuts but teachers need to understand each other in order to profit from exchange of experience and ideas'. Johan SundbergThe knowledge in this clearly presented text is important for teachers and students of singing and set out in a most imaginative way. The figures are beautiful and simply delightful to look at. Learners can acquire and revise knowledge in multiple and often playful ways. In the shadow of all the mystery and guesswork regarding the structure and function of the vocal instrument, the approach of this book, written from a singer's perspective, with scientific and anatomical accuracy, is a much-needed educational tool. As a manual it offers a universal approach to an understanding of the larynx that will enable pedagogues to engage in a robust and open exchange of experience and ideas with their students. This is an excellent, comprehensive approach that has been written specifically to help singers understand their instrument as the book builds through from basic, colour-coded anatomy to function.

Singing, alone and in choirs, has wide-reaching health benefits for everyone, including release of oxytocin, increased production of immunoglobulin to fight infections, less need of pain medications, improved pulmonary function, fewer symptoms of depression, and a brighter outlook on life. These benefits are even more important from the sixth decade onward. At the same time, the advancing decades bring physical and vocal challenges for all voice professionals.Martha Howe has compiled a masterclass of a book in which some of the world's leading teachers and clinicians share what they do in their studios and clinics when working with people in their fifth decade and beyond. Chapters are designed to be practical, informative, and full of hints, tips, physical and vocal exercises expressly for older voices.The result is an invaluable resource for the study of pedagogy, and a handbook that singers, teachers, clinicians, and all voice professionals can use for themselves and for their studios with practical solutions to the challenges brought on by the aging voice.

What happens when individuals can no longer effectively, inspire, educate, encourage, explore, exchange ideas or concepts or entertain through the medium of voice?The Authors, both voice therapists and expert in this realm, previously wrote the acclaimed book, The Teaching Voice (second edition, 2004) and this new book expands on and updates the theme.Teachers, lecturers, trainers and facilitators are known as professional and occupational voice users. This generic term also applies to many others, from performers to politicians and solicitors to salespeople, where voice is a critical factor of all these professional roles and continued employment is therefore dependent on maintaining vocal effectiveness through diligent vocal care and conservation. In the USA, the teaching profession comprises some 5 million employees. This equates to about 4% of the total workforce, yet educators comprise almost 20% of the patient load in voice clinics. This is reckoned to cost the US economy as much as a $2.5 billion in employee days lost - and this does not include statistics for those teachers who experience voice loss, but decline to report a problem, or seek treatment. Such disproportionately high figures are also mirrored in, in the UK, Europe, Australasia and other countries of the world.In this book, the authors adopt an integrated approach and offer detailed information on the subject of occupational voice and the vocal demands of the voice user, providing similarly detailed information on the physiology of voice and voice care. Practical advice on aspects of clarity of delivery, communication skills, pedagogic skills, and classroom strategies, supported by exercises for developing the above, are provided. In addition, aspects such as the changing teaching environment, acoustic influences on the voice, illness, stress and anxiety, the ageing voice are explored. Specific qualitative changes such as resonance, as well as range and projection of the voice are included, as are anecdotal personal experiences and challenges from those working in the field.They offer strategies, solutions and tried and tested practical exercises that will enhance the reader's current skills and provide a framework to keep them in good voice throughout their professional careers. Also included are a number of class-based practical exercises and suggestions for voice, language and communication work with learners and students from age five to 18. These exercises focus on ideas designed to promote spoken English from simple language games to presentation skills and debating. Containing a number of 'at-a-glance' checklists throughout the text and a content section at the end of each chapter, readers will find it an easily accessible resource.