Um, not to be a snob here - but that dude said "Accomptaments" (2:46)  I'm not commenting on the technology, I've experimented with both virtual voice lessons as well as choral clinics this way.  I'm used to non-industry folks struggling with that 5 syllable devil and un-phased, but I'm it's at the very least, humorous/telling/odd when a professional does.  Who has the heart to tell him?  Then again, he's probably making enough dough that it wouldn't matter.

 While not totally surprised by this, I find myself further called to campaign for live music in every sense.  I find it quite sad.

 

Hi, Philip.  The bottom line, it seems to me, is whether or not I would actually use on-line (or videotaped--no real difference at all) auditions, and my own answer is that I would not.  I don't always require auditions, but when I do I want to be able to examine the individual voice without having it filtered through electronic amplification, mics and speakers, and I would CERTAINLY not make any decisions based on a one-size-fits-all type of audition.  Every voice is different, and every individual is different, and sometimes there are a great many more criteria to take note of than simple voice quality and pitch accuracy.  (I really don't understand what's happening on the Eric Whitacre audition tapes at all, and they leave me very puzzled.)

 

As to on-line voice lessons, I'll believe in it when I see demonstrations of success.  Skype is, of course, a single proprietary program, and should have nothing to do with whether the lessons are productive, helpful, or even possible beyond a sort of Master Class approach and critique.

 

But then I'm pretty conservative in a lot of ways.

 

John

 

 

 I've been using SmartMusic for my choral singers all year.  My Advanced choir auditions will be partially held using their SmartMusic recordings.