Singing in English
The Pronunciation Coach
Do you speak English? Many will answer “yes” to this question – after all, English is the most widely spoken language in the world. And do you sing in English?
Sure you do, because English is also one of the most important languages for singers. Not only are the lyrics in the jazz/pop repertoire in English, but also the texts of many great classical works: Handel’s Messiah, Purcell’s masterpieces, the monumental oratorio The Dream of Gerontius by Elgar and the well-known melodies by Holst such as In the bleak Midwinter.
Of course, the basic pronunciation rules for English can also be used when singing, but who knows all the details? Furthermore, different rules apply to some sounds when sung rather than spoken.
Nicholas Kok has the requisite expertise to talk about singing in English: He is not only a fine native speaker of Oxford English, but is also a conductor, composer and repetiteur who has worked with singers all over the world. He is responsible for the content and design of this video series. In 35 video tutorials, Kok explains the pronunciation rules for sung English – from the basics to more complex issues – in a highly practical way and with numerous examples, with English subtitles. Precise English for a precise performance!
Funded by Choral TIES, co-funded by the European Union.
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Author
Nicholas Kok
Nicholas Kok studied at New College Oxford, where he was Organ Scholar, and at the Royal College of Music. From 1996 to 2006 he was chief conductor of the East of England Orchestra (Sinfonia Viva). From 2007 to 2011 he was chief conductor of Psappha, the leading ensemble for contemporary music in northern England, and in 2012/13 he was the principal guest conductor of the WDR Radio Choir. Nicholas has conducted many operas at English National Opera, from Monteverdi and Purcell to Mozart as well as several world premieres. At Opera North, Nicholas has directed operas from Purcell to world premieres by Simon Holt and Mark Simpson; in 2018 he conducted the British premiere of Kevin Puts’ Silent Night.
Nicholas has performed at many festivals, including Aldeburgh, Edinburgh, BBC Proms, Zurich and Éclat. Orchestras he has worked with include the Gewandhaus, BBCSO, Hallé, LPO, London Sinfonietta, Philharmonia, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, RSO Berlin and the Munich Chamber Orchestra; ensembles: Ascolta, Nash, Premiere and Remix.
He has made numerous radio and CD recordings.At the Stuttgart Staatsoper he has performed operas from Monteverdi to Benjamin, via Rossini and Gluck. Other opera houses include Braunschweig, Coliseu in Porto, Cologne, Leipzig, Magdeburg, Teatro de São Carlos in Lisbon and Music Theatre Wales.
Nicholas has a long-term relationship with the BBC Singers, with whom he has made numerous studio recordings. Their CD of the choral works of Birtwistle was nominated for a Grammophone award. He has also worked with many other choirs, including the SWR Vokalensemble and the DR VokalEnsemblet.
Nicholas has composed and arranged pieces for Die Alten Mädchen, BBC Singers, Danish Radio VokalEnsemblet, Hanke Brothers and Junge Oper Stuttgart as well as for TV and radio.
We asked the composer six questions, read them here in our blog: https://blog.carus-verlag.com/en/personalities/6-questions-for-nicholas-kok/
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