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Voice instructor’s recording receives positive review
November 17, 2006
PLU voice instructor Janeanne Houston’s new recording, “The Shining Place,” received a glowing review in the Journal of Singing earlier this month.
The journal is a national trade magazine published by the National Association of Teachers of Singing for voice teachers, repertoire coaches and composers, Houston said. She said the positive review was “wonderful and validating.”
“A positive review in this publication will be read by many singers who teach at colleges and universities, and therefore those who are most interested in the kind of music featured on ‘The Shining Place,’” Houston explained.
Houston released her 26-song recording in January 2006. It features oboist Shannon Spicciati, a PLU studio instructor, and pianist Robert Jorgenson, who often accompanies PLU music performances.
“We are so proud of Janeanne and her wonderful accomplishments,” said Dave Robbins, chair of the music department.
An excerpt of the review appears below:
“Once again, soprano Janeanne Houston and pianist Robert Jorgenson have collaborated on an exemplary collection of modern art songs, featuring the work of some of our finest current composers. Nothing here is even remotely avant-garde; these are approachable, accessible songs that are highly expressive and largely tonal. And yet this does not feel like a safe or especially conservative collection. These are unmistakably modern songs, if rather gentle in their modernity. Perhaps the single element common to all twenty-six songs on this disk is that they are singable pieces, composed with a real understanding of what the human voice can do.
“Janeanne Houston’s soprano is a brilliant yet rich instrument which she has under excellent technical control through even the most challenging passages.”
“A positive review in this publication will be read by many singers who teach at colleges and universities, and therefore those who are most interested in the kind of music featured on ‘The Shining Place,’” Houston explained.
Houston released her 26-song recording in January 2006. It features oboist Shannon Spicciati, a PLU studio instructor, and pianist Robert Jorgenson, who often accompanies PLU music performances.
“We are so proud of Janeanne and her wonderful accomplishments,” said Dave Robbins, chair of the music department.
An excerpt of the review appears below:
“Once again, soprano Janeanne Houston and pianist Robert Jorgenson have collaborated on an exemplary collection of modern art songs, featuring the work of some of our finest current composers. Nothing here is even remotely avant-garde; these are approachable, accessible songs that are highly expressive and largely tonal. And yet this does not feel like a safe or especially conservative collection. These are unmistakably modern songs, if rather gentle in their modernity. Perhaps the single element common to all twenty-six songs on this disk is that they are singable pieces, composed with a real understanding of what the human voice can do.
“Janeanne Houston’s soprano is a brilliant yet rich instrument which she has under excellent technical control through even the most challenging passages.”