Noted vocal coach to offer workshop Sept. 14 in Lewes

Southern Delaware Choral Society and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will jointly offer a vocal technique workshop Saturday, Sept. 14, presented by Dr. Duane Cottrell.  He is assistant professor of choral music education at the University of Delaware, where he directs the Concert Choir and the University Singers, a select women’s ensemble; teaches conducting and choral music education courses; and supervises student teachers. Prior to his appointment at UD, he was the interim director of choral activities at Portland State University in Portland, Ore. Cottrell also served as a doctoral teaching fellow at the University of North Texas, where he conducted several university choirs and taught conducting classes.

Participants in the workshop will learn principles and vocal techniques that will help build richer tone quality and better breath support in choral singing.  The workshop will take place from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Parish Hall at St. Peter’s Church, 211 Mulberry St. in Lewes.  The workshop is free to members of St. Peter's Church and SDCS; all other participants are asked to pay a $10 registration fee at the door.

Cottrell received MM and DMA degrees at the University of North Texas, where he studied choral conducting with Jerry McCoy, voice science and pedagogy with Stephen Austin, and music education with Warren Henry. He earned a BME from Louisiana State University under Ken Fulton.

Cottrell’s primary research interest is the science of the singing voice and its application to choral music, and he has published three articles on the topic. He has also presented lectures at the TMEA convention, and the 4th International Conference on the Physiology and Acoustics of Singing, as well as regional and national ACDA conventions.