Notre Dame Cathedral and Y/our Larynx

One of the most universal fears of students of singing is that we will “lose our voice.” This fear is often particularly strong for singers and students who have been told their voices are “gifts from God” or that they have a “special talent.” After all, if what we have is a “gift” or a “talent” that’s given to us, couldn’t it just as easily be taken away?

It’s not just troubled superstars who have the fear of losing voice. Beginning students, when they first feel the beauty and wonder of free singing, can be star-struck by its pure joy. We think “if only I could repeat this, over and over... my life would be perfect.”

The reality of study is much different than a wish and a prayer. It is long hours dedicated to a process that depends on our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual states and development.  It depends on finding teachers who can answer our questions and put our needs first. Often the results of our study, regardless of our work and dedication, are out of our control. Once in a while, some-fire-or-another comes to burn up all the work we’ve done and make us feel we’re back at step one.

Sometimes in my studies I try to think of the worst, just to test my strength, will and purpose as a singer and a teacher.  A core question drives my teaching and singing:

If I lost my physical voice, could I LIVE as if I was singing?

This question turns everything on its head for the singer pursuing voice. Suddenly the search goes deeper than sound, broader than any opinion, and higher than the stars. To SING, even without voice…? Is it possible?

Notre Dame Cathedral burned today in Paris.  The loss is inconceivable, unimaginable—like a singer losing her voice.

What can bring us solace and purpose even in the face of so great a loss? What can keep the fire of our hearts going in the midst of grieving centuries-old artifacts and artworks?

The answer I keep coming back to is LOVE.  Every artifact in that gorgeous cathedral is/was an expression of love. Every sound we utter, regardless of its “quality” is an expression of love. When our sounds are gone, when the stained-glass windows are broken, or the spire toppled, LOVE, or LIFE—what created these things—is not gone.

CONNECTION, CLARITY, FLOW, SPACE. The Four Principles of Singing, which guide our studies and shine light on our path, can be applied to our sadness.  Can we stay connected to love and life? Can we be clear about what is truly eternal? Can we flow through the sadness and allow space for the experience of it?

Love and Life, Dear Singers, is what it’s all about. Love and Life keep us going with or without voice with a small “v.” Voice with a capital “V” IS Us, creates Us, and we get to be the joyful spectators. Maybe It chuckles at our human fears...or maybe It just continues to teach us to sing, through it all.

I couldn’t help but notice in my musings today, the structure of our larynx echoes the beautiful buttresses and towers of Notre Dame. I leave photos of each for you to draw your own conclusions. The wonders of both are enough to make me hope for the future.

With Voice,

Your Rebecca