Vocal workshop for songwriters

ASC Songwriters Assist will host a vocal workshop for songwriters at the Peninsula Community Centre next month.

The evening will be led by guest speaker and singer Ms Doreen Van Bree from 7.30pm on Thursday, November 11.

ASC Songwriters Assist president Ms Lisa Butler said the event would be a great opportunity for anyone thinking about or with a passion for song writing to help them get started.

"What does singing have to do with the art of song writing," Ms Butler said.

"Whether you are performing or non-performing songwriter, you need to understand the vocal mechanism and how it works.

"Knowing how the vocal instrument is used to its best advantage can help you create exciting and singable vocal melodies and optimal placement of certain vowel-sound woeds in your songs."

The vocal workshop will run for around one hour followed by supper and a question and answer time with Ms Van Bree and Ms Butler about the voice and the process of creating melodies and lyrics that help the singer and the song "shine".

The workshop costs $8 for ASCSA members and $15 for non-members, and includes supper.

Ms Van Bree has had a successful musical career appearing on Brian Henderson's Bandstand several times in the 1960s and performing at clubs around NSW.

Born in Holland, Ms Van Bree studied classical piano and the organ and at the age of 10 had her first stage performance where she played Clemente's Sonata.

Ms Van Bree's family moved to Australia when she was 12 and she quickly took an interest in the popular music of the time.

In 1961, she was crowned Miss NSW Charity Queen in the Miss Australia Quest.

Over the next 30 years, Ms Van Bree performed around the Central Coast and Sydney as well as teaching singing and music.

Ms Van Bree has since retired on the Peninsula but still takes on the occasional singing student.

Website, 5 Oct 2010 Lisa Butler, ASC Songwriter Assist Inc