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- The Society suffered an irreperable loss by the death on
2nd March 2005 of our President, Arthur Hewlett, aged 102, thus
severing the last link with Ernest George White. His tireless work in
promoting White's Technique is unrivalled and without his devotion this
Society would have ceased to exist. A full appreciation is published
elsewhere in this website.
- We also record with
great sadness and sense of loss the death of Gwen Methley within
one week of her 96th birthday. Gwen was a
true devotee and exponent of White's Technique, especially as
applied to speech, and for many years kept our work alive in the
West Country. She will be greatly missed by her pupils and friends in
the Society. A full appreciation will appear on the website in due
course.
- Professor Graham Welch, an eminent figure in the world of
music education and research, and a member of this Society for some
time, has agreed to succeed Arthur Hewlett as Honorary President. We
very much welcome Professor Welch's appointment.
- Work is continuing by one of our members who has undertaken editorial work on a combined volume of EG White's books and "Thing Afresh About the Voice". This is proving to be an immense task but we hope the material will be ready for publication in the near future.
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The Journal for 2005 was published in June of this year.
It contains reports of the Society's proceedings and contributions by
members. We have been fortunate in acquiring copies of photographs of
Ernest George White and his second wife, Edith, from her great nephew,
Mark Billen.Several of these are in the current Journal and we hope to
include others in subsequent issues.
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White' Technique's has received a major endorsement
with the publication of new research into the effects of humming
on the cranial sinuses. Scientists in Sweden have shown that the
vibrating airflow produced by humming is an extremely effective
way to increase ventilation of the sinuses, thus raising the prospect
that daily humming might reduce the risk of sinusitis in susceptible
patients. This. of course, was first postulated by White in his
book Sinus Tone Production, where he states that his technique
of inducing air vibration in the sinuses 'not only keeps the head
supplied with fresh air but prevents the accumulation of mucus in
the cavities, and the congestion which brings misery and damaged
health to millions'.
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The Society is pleased to announce that our distinguished
member Dr. Christopher Norton-Walsh, who teaches in Vienna, will
introduce and perform Schubert's Wintereisse at our next
recital. This takes place in Bloomsbury Baptist Institute on Saturday
11th Oct. 2003.
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On the afternoon of Saturday 21st June 2003 members
of the EGWS and visitors had a rare opportunity to observe the work
of Charles Cleall, MA, BMus, ADCM, FRCO(CHM), LRAM, Hon. TSC, when
he conducted a masterclass in Bloomsbury Baptist Institute. Acting
as 'pupils' for the day were Susan Bialy, Vanessa Yuan, Victoria
Crabb, Frank Hopkirk, and Jane Farrell. Charles is a Trustee of
the EGWS and a Registered Teacher of White's Technique. The afternoon
also featured a spoken recital by Gwen Methley. A full account will
appear in the next issue of the Society's Journal.
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The 2002 Journal has been published and copies have
been posted to members. Extra copies may be ordered by writing to
the editor, Stephen Cox. See 'contacts' page for his address.
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April 16th 2003 has been designated 'World Voice
Day'. The day is being sponsored by the American Laryngological
Association, the European Laryngological Society, the Japanese and
Korean ENT Societies, the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological
Societies and various societies in Brazil. On Voice Day the public
is asked to recognise that the human voice is a fragile communication
instrument that can be damaged through harmful speaking techniques
and alcohol and tobacco abuse.
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Anyone wishing to purchase second-hand copies of
either of E G White's two books, 'Science and Singing' or 'Sinus
Tone Production' can do so through the internet book search service,
Bookfinder at www.bookfinder.com. Fourteen copies of the former
are currently available along with eighteen copies of the latter.
All the copies are said to be in good-to-very-good condition with
prices ranging from £10 to £45.
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Members who were present at the Society's Council
meeting in London in October were delighted to hear that our Hon.
President, Arthur Hewlett, enjoyed the company of his many friends
and relations at celebrations to mark his 100th birthday. Entertainment
at the function was provided by the choral group Quodlibet under
their director, Peter Giles, and the happy occasion was captured
for the general public by representatives of the press.
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On a sadder note the Council learned of the death
of long-time member, Frederic Hodgson, distinguished singer, teacher,
author and recipient of many honours - including the Royal Victorian
Medal and Freeman of the City of London.
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The Incorporated Society of Musicians held
a very successful vocal workshop for its members under the direction
of our Registrar, Peter Giles in Epping, Essex. The workshop was
organised by Jane Ashley in her capacity as Chairman of the ISM
Lea Valley District.
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In June, the Society's Drama Adviser, Nicholas Amer,
gave a talk for members and friends, in the Bloomsbury Baptist Institute,
London, on the subjects of poetry and spoken performance. In the
course of his talk Nicholas related many interesting experiences
gleaned from his long and distinguished career as an actor performing
with his own company, Voyage Theatre, in forty-two different
countries and at the Liverpool Playhouse, the London Old Vic, and
the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith,where he worked alongside actors
such as John Gielgud.
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Peter Giles brought both his singing groups,
Madrigal and Quodlibet, to the Bloomsbury Baptist
Institute, where they gave a most enjoyable recital to a very appreciative
audience. Among the soloists were Jane Farrell, contralto and Richard
Pond, tenor. The accompanist was Robert Scott.
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The Society is sorry to hear that Iris Grunmann,
a prominent member for many years, has had to resign from the Council
because of other commitments. The Council would would like to take
this opportunity of thanking Iris very much for her valued work
on behalf of the Society. She will, of course, continue to be active
as a Registered Teacher and we look forward to seeing her at future
gatherings of the Society.
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Another of our Registered Teachers has sent us
this account of the curative powers of White's Technique: 'Ann,
a young teacher, came to me complaining of school-related vocal
fatigue, intermittent hoarseness and constant need to clear her
throat. She started a remedial course in White's Technique, and
after six lessons decided to take a full course in voice production.
Fully cured, she is now developing a repertoire of popular classical
songs and accepting invitations to sing at friends' weddings.
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